Review : Faraaz : Adequately gripping and impactful!
Terrorism has been a disease the entire world is gripped in. All the major, and a few minor, countries have faced terrorist attacks and in the modern day these attacks are getting hi tech. Almost all the terrorists’ across the world seem to be mired in a slogan, ‘Islam Khatre Mein Hain’. India has been a victim of this menace and quite a few films are being made on the real incidents of terrorist attacks. This time around, director Hansal Mehta has based his film #Faraaz on 2016 terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It does remind one of the 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai. The director showcases the conflict between the liberal Muslims versus radical Muslims.
On 1st July, 2016 five young men armed with modern machine guns and grenades attack a plush club, Holey Artisan Cafe, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which usually has foreigners dining there. The terrorists kill all the foreigners and take others as hostages. In a span of 12 hours they kill 22 people, mostly foreigners, and wait for police to arrive. All of them are promised Jannat if they die for the cause ‘Islam Khatre Mein Hain’. The group is led by Nibras (Aditya Rawal) a well educated, English speaking youngster who happens to know one of the hostages, Faraaz (Zahan Kapoor), who is from a very highly placed family in Dhaka. His mother (Juhi Babbar) tries to pull strings to get her son out of the clutches of the terrorists but the military officer reprimands her. Two Muslims, Faraaz, a liberal muslim, and Nibras, a radical Muslim, try argue their contrasting viewpoints.
Hansal Mehta recreates the real incidents with a few cinematic liberties. He has kept the proceeding simple yet effective. There’s no dialoguebazi or heroic attempts shown in the film. Also the editing is superfine as the film grips you and doesn’t allow you to go to your mobiles. The proceedings are kept gripping without over dramatising. Music compliments the proceedings on the screen. Aditya Rawal, son of Paresh Rawal, is quite impressive as Nibras. His ease in portraying the character is marvellous and he has a bright future as an actor. Zahan Khan, son of Kunal Kapoor and grandson of Shashi Kapoor, is good and effective. Juhi Babbar shines and stands out in her influential rich mother’s characters. Other lend good support.
Faraaz is well directed as well as adequately gripping and impactful hostage drama.
***1/2