Faraaz (film)

2022 film by Hansal Mehta

Faraaz

First look poster

Directed by| Hansal Mehta
Written by|

* Ritesh Shah
* Kashyap Kapoor
* Raghav Kakkar

Based on| Holey Artisan: A Journalistic Investigation
by Nuruzzaman Labu
Produced by|

* Bhushan Kumar
* Krishan Kumar
* Anubhav Sinha
* Sahil Saigal
* Sakshi Bhatt
* Mazahir Mandsaurwala

Starring|

* Zahan Kapoor
* Juhi Babbar
* Aamir Ali
* Aditya Rawal
* Jatin Sarin
* Pallak Lalwani

Reshham Sahaani
Cinematography| Pratham Mehta
Edited by| Amitesh Mukherjee
Music by| Sameer Rahat
Vidhya Gopal
Alok Ranjan Srivastava
Khalid Ahamed

Production
companies

* T-Series
* Benaras Media Works
* Mahana Films

Distributed by| AA Films

Release dates

* 15 October 2022 (2022-10-15) (BFI London Film Festival)
* 3 February 2023 (2023-02-03) (India)

Country| India
Languages|

* Hindi
* English

Faraaz is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical action thriller film directed by Hansal Mehta and produced by T-Series and Benaras Media Works in association with Mahana Films. The film supports an ensemble cast with Zahan Kapoor starring as the titular Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain with Juhi Babbar, Aamir Ali, Aditya Rawal, Pallak Lalwani, and six newcomers, Jatin Sarin, Reshham Sahaani, Ninaad Bhatt, Harshal Pawar, and Sachin Lalwani including Kapoor marking their debuts.

Based on Nuruzzaman Labu’s 2017 book Holey Artisan: A Journalistic Investigation, it depicts the July 2016 Dhaka attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Bangladesh.[1] The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2022,[2] and was released in India on 3 February 2023.[3]

At the 69th Filmfare Awards, the film received five nominations, including Best Film (Critics) and Best Supporting Actor (Rawal), and won Best Male Debut (Rawal).[4]

## Plot

[edit]

The film commences with playful banter among the five terrorists Nibras, Mubashir, Rohan, Bikash & Rajiv in Dhaka, ultimately leading them to Holey Artisan Bakery. Faraaz's family discord unfolds, but he later joins his friends at the bakery, where they get taken hostage. An unexpected attack on police officers near the bakery intensifies the situation.

Inside, tensions rise as hostages are held captive. The police attempt a standoff but face challenges without a blueprint. The government advises mission cancellation for hostage safety, triggering global news coverage. Faraaz's mother, Simeen, confronts RAB DG Benazir, adding to the external pressure.

Midnight arrives, tensions escalate, and a clash between Nibras and Faraaz occurs. Despite a brief truce, Rohan's attempt to leave results in his death. Nibras announces freedom for hostages, except for Faraaz's friends. A heated exchange leads to Faraaz's declaration before his tragic end.

Outside, reinforcements from BAF, DB, Ansar, CID & Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit join for a final assault, ending the terrorists' reign.

## Cast

[edit]

* Zahan Kapoor as Faraaz Hossain
* Juhi Babbar as Simeen, Faraaz’s mother
* Aditya Rawal as Nibras
* Jatin Sarin as Mubashir
* Sachin Lalwani as Rohan
* Ninaad Shaunak Bhatt as Khairul
* Harshal Pawar as Bikash
* Godaan Kumar as Rajiv
* Pallak Lalwani[5] as Tarika
* Aamir Ali as Mr. Sen, Tarika's father
* Reshham Sahaani as Ayesha
* Abhirami Bose as Tahana
* Ashish Bhatt as Tamid Hasib Khan
* Ninaad Shaunak Bhatt as Khairul
* Kaushik Chakraborty as RAB Officer Benazir
* Hadelin de Ponteves as Chef Diego
* Shivani Dubey as Fairuz
* Mann Gandhi as Rayan
* Pia Gandhi as Safa
* Aparna Ghoshal as Tullika
* Nitin Goel as Senior Inspector Farooq
* Premji Jhangiani as Dr. Mujahid
* Sneha Joshi as Ishrat
* Amit Kaushik as Dr. Salprakash
* Miles Lobo as Takomi
* Aditya Mahajan as Deputy Commissioner Mushtaq
* Pooja Mihija as Rabia
* Aneeta as Nibras' Sister
* Ruma Mondal as Fefta
* Manusudhan Naik as Nanabhal
* Rohan Roy as Manirul Islam (SWAT Officer)
* Nida Sheikh as Sharmina
* Amir Shoeb as Zaraif
* Amit Singh as Hassnat
* Ankur Srivastava as Chef Sarkar

## Production

[edit]

The rights of Bangladeshi crime reporter Nuruzzaman Labu’s 2017 book Holey Artisan: A Journalistic Investigation, about the July 2016 Dhaka attack, were acquired by Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films in 2020. Hansal Mehta was chosen as the film's director and Vishesh included T-Series and Anubhav Sinha as the producers.

On 5 August 2021, the director Hansal Mehta revealed his horror thriller film Faraaz. A joint production, with Anubhav Sinha and Bhushan Kumar depicting the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in July 2016 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Newcomers Aditya Rawal, Zahan Kapoor, Jatin Sarin, Sachin Lalwani, Ninad Bhatt, Harshal Pawar, Palak Lalwani and Reshham Sahaani were cast in the film.[6]

The filming, which took place in Mumbai India, began in June 2021 ended on 15 August 2021. The Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, Dhaka was recreated in Mumbai.[7][8] Plans to shoot the film on location in Bangladesh were dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic.[8]

## Release

[edit]

The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 15 October 2022 in 'Thrill' section.[9] It was released in India on 3 February 2023,[10] after Delhi High Court refused to grant stay for release in a suit filed by the mothers of two girls who died in the terrorist attack.[11]

### Controversy

[edit]

The film has been criticized for allegedly "exploiting a horrifying tragedy for profit without asking the permission of victims family."[12][13] The film's director Mehta defends against those remarks by referring to a The Business Standard opinion article that emphasizes "artistic freedom" and "being a target of cancel culture."[14][15]

Ruba Ahmed, the mother of Abinta Kabir, who was killed in the attack, filed a writ on February 12, 2023, seeking a ban on the film for misrepresenting her daughter and Bangladesh. After hearing that writ petition, the High Court bench of Md. Khasruzzaman and Md Iqbal Kabir ordered the film to be banned from theatrical and streaming services for being misleading.[16] Though the case is still ongoing in that country. A similar plea by families of the victims, at the Delhi High Court, to ban the film in India did not succeed though the court ordered the addition of a disclaimer at the film's beginning.[17]

The film is critical of the handling of the terror attack by the Bangladeshi government and Mehta later said that he was harrased by Bangladeshi and Indian government officials, the latter wary of straining relations with the Sheikh Hasina government. He also claimed to have declined a pre-screening request by Muhammad Imran, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India at the time of its release.[1]

#### Historical accuracy

[edit]

Nuruzzaman Labu, on whose book the film is based, stated that plans to release Faraaz Hossain by the terrorists, as depicted in the film, and Faraaz's reluctance for want of saving his friends were false. He said that his book does not mention this and none of the witnesses or hostages at the Holey Artisan Bakery attest this. He opined the change in the film was to find a heroic protagonist for the plot, and did not particularly object the depiction.[8]

## Song

[edit]

""Musafir Ko""

Song by Sameer Rahat, Vidhya Gopal
Released| January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27)[18]
Length| 4:35
Label| T-Series
Songwriter(s)| Sameer Rahat
Producer(s)| Siddharth Pandit, Sameer Rahat
Official video
Faraaz - Song on YouTube
""Khairiyat Se""

Song by Sameer Rahat, Alok Ranjan Srivastava, Khalid Ahamed
Released| January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27)[19]
Length| 3:53
Label| T-Series
Songwriter(s)| Sameer Rahat, Alok Ranjan Srivastava
Producer(s)| Sameer Rahat
Official video
Faraaz - Song on YouTube

The film has two songs, "Musafir Ko" written and composed by Sameer Rahat; and "Khairiyat Se" composed and produced by Sameer Rahat and written by Alok Ranjan Srivastava and Sameer Rahat.

## Reception

[edit]

Monika Rawal Kukreja reviewing for Hindustan Times praised the performance of ensemble writing, "some fine performances such as: Juhi Babbar Soni as Faraaz's mother is terrific, Aditya Rawal, his brutal portrayal as the brainwashed youth that leaves you in awe, Zahan Kapoor delivers a restrained performance and emotes beautifully". Kukreja praised the lyrics of the song "Musafir ko ghar he aana hai" saying, "[the] highlight of Faraaz remains the soulful, moving lyrics." Concluding, Kukreja wrote, "Faraaz doesn't set out to send you home with a moral lesson yet puts across its point very subtly."[20]

Dishya Sharma of News18 rated the film 3.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, "Faraaz is a trademark Hansal Mehta film and is not for the weak-hearted. The film is bound to leave you disturbed and empty by the end of it."[21] Renuka Vyavahare writing for The Times of India rated 3.5 out of 5 and wrote, "Hansal Mehta’s acclaimed body of work is testament to his sensibility". Praising the performances of ensemble she wrote, "every new actor gives a sincere performance", she appreciated Aditya Rawal who, she said, "portrays every aspect of his character perfectly," and Zahan Kapoor for, "his balanced and effective titular role." For others Vyavahare said, "Newcomers Sachin Lalwani and Reshham Sahaani along with Juhi Babbar play their parts with conviction." Concluding, Vyavahare opined, "As a confined space hostage thriller, Faraaz is adequately gripping and impactful. It, however, isn’t as claustrophobic and gut-wrenching as a Neerja or Hotel Mumbai."[22]

Anuj Kumar writing in The Hindu praised the performances of: Juhi Babbar writing, "Juhi brings out the guts and grace of the character with a deft performance", Zahan Kapoor saying, "Zahan gets the tonality of Faraaz right" and Aditya Rawal stating, "Aditya is a revelation as Nibras." Concluding, Kumar mentioned the present scenario of "religious chauvinism" and wrote, "Faraaz is an ache that will gradually grow on the discerning."[23]

Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the movie 2 out of 5 starts rating and states "At a time where rampant bigotry and muscular nationalism is on the rise, films which give us humans of all shades are more than welcome."[24]

## Accolades

[edit]

Award  | Ceremony date  | Category  | Recipients  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Filmfare Awards | 28 January 2024 | Best Film (Critics) | Hansal Mehta | Nominated  | [25]
Best Supporting Actor | Aditya Rawal
Best Cinematography | Pratham Mehta
Best Sound Design | Mandar Kulkarni
Best Male Debut | Aditya Rawal | Won  | [26]

## See also

[edit]

* Shonibar Bikel, 2019 film also based on the terrorist attack
* Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh and Islamic State – Bengal Province, the perpetrators of the attack
* Tamim Chowdhury and Mohammad Saifullah Ozaki, the ISIL leaders responsible for the attack

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b L. Vincent, Pheroze (7 August 2024). "Sheikh Hasina wanted to control everything: Hansal Mehta recounts price he paid for 'Faraaz'". Telegraph India.
2. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (11 October 2022). "Zahan Kapoor on Debuting With Hansal Mehta, Anubhav Sinha's BFI London Film Festival Title 'Faraaz' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
3. ^ "Faraaz: Hansal Mehta shares poster of his next film, based on our 'polarised times'". Hindustan Times. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
4. ^ "Nominations for the 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 with Gujarat Tourism: Full list out". Filmfare. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
5. ^ "Actress Pallak to make her Bollywood debut opposite Aditya Rawal & Zahaan Kapoor in Hansal Mehta's Faraaz". Bollywood Hungama. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
6. ^ "Hansal Mehta reveals his next film titled Faraaz, watch its first look". The Indian Express. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
7. ^ "Hansal Mehta completes filming for 'Faraaz'". The New Indian Express. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
8. ^ a b c "'It's definitely a great honour for me', Nuruzzaman Labu after his book inspired 'Faraaz'". The Business Standard. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
9. ^ Tabbara, Mona (1 September 2022). "BFI London Film Festival 2022 unveils full line-up". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
10. ^ "Hansal Mehta's 'Faraaz' to release in theatres in February". Deccan Herald. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
11. ^ "Delhi HC refuses to stay release of Hansal Mehta's 'Faraaz' based on 2016 Dhaka terrorist attack". The Indian Express. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
12. ^ "Hansal Mehta responds as Twitter user calls him 'shameless' for making Faraaz". The Business Standard. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
13. ^ "Hansal Mehta defends Faraaz after netizen SLAMS him for 'exploiting a horrifying tragedy for profit'". TimesNow. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
14. ^ "Hansal Mehta responds as Twitter user calls him 'shameless person exploiting a horrifying tragedy' by making Faraaz". Hindustan Times. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
15. ^ "'Faraaz': The fine line between public and private, creativity and sensitivity". The Business Standard. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
16. ^ "High Court bans release of 'Faraaz' in Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. 20 February 2023.
17. ^ "হোলি আর্টিজানের হামলা নিয়ে বলিউড সিনেমা 'ফারাজ' শর্তসাপেক্ষে মুক্তি দিতে দিল্লি হাইকোর্টের নির্দেশ" ["Delhi High Court orders conditional release of Bollywood film 'Faraaz' on Holey Artisan attack]. BBC Bangla (in Bengali). 2 February 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
18. ^ "Musafir Ko (From Faraaz)". Jio Saavn. 27 January 2023.
19. ^ "Khairiyat se (From Faraaz)". Jio Saavn. 27 January 2023.
20. ^ Kukreja, Monika Rawal (3 February 2023). "Faraaz movie review: Hansal Mehta's gut-wrenching tale of love and loss with excellent performances". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
21. ^ Sharma, Dishya (3 February 2023). "Faraaz Review: Aditya Rawal, Zahan Kapoor, Juhi Babbar Effortlessly Pull Off Hansal Mehta's Vision". News18. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
22. ^ Vyavahare, Renuka (3 February 2023). "Faraaz Movie Review: Faraaz opens an interesting dialogue between liberals & radicals but could've dived deeper". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
23. ^ Kumar, Anuj (3 February 2023). "'Faraaz' movie review: Hansal Mehta's film hangs between hope and hell, while standing up to bigotry". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
24. ^ "Faraaz movie review: This humane film is more stagey than menacing". The Indian Express. 3 February 2023.
25. ^ "Nominations for the 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 with Gujarat Tourism: Full list out". filmfare.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
26. ^ "Winners of the 69th Filmfare Awards 2024". Filmfare. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Faraaz at IMDb
* Faraaz at Bollywood Hungama

* v
* t
* e

Hansal Mehta

Films directed|

* Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! (2000)
* Chhal (2002)
* Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? (2003)
* Dus Kahaniyaan (2007; segment: "High on the Highway")
* Woodstock Villa (2008)
* Shahid (2013)
* City Lights (2014)
* Aligarh (2015)
* Simran (2017)
* Omerta (2017)
* Chhalaang (2020)
* Faraaz (2022)
* The Buckingham Murders (2023)

Television series directed|

* Khana Khazana (1993–1999)
* Star Bestsellers (1999; episode: ""Neeti (The Frog and the Scorpion)")
* Scam 1992 (2020)
* Modern Love Mumbai (2022; segment: "Baai")
* Scoop (2023)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template