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Farzi Review: The Indian Breaking Bad


"Good artists copy, Great artists steal". Picasso's words is the apt quote that can be attributed to Raj and DK's Farzi, which was released on the 10th of February this year. Firstly, the protagonist is an artist who makes his living by selling his renditions of paintings by popular artists. Secondly, the TV-show is a satisfying imitation of quite possibly the greatest TV-show ever made, Breaking Bad.

Shahid Kapoor plays Sunny, a small-time artist in Mumbai who considers his life unsatisfactory, as he witnesses the blatant privileges of the aristocracy and upper-class around him. He and his friend Firoz, played by Bhuvan Arora, create counterfeit notes to save their grandfather's printing press that is on the verge of bankruptcy. Michael, played by Vijay Sethupathi, is employed to bust down the network of counterfeiting

Fans of the masterpiece Breaking Bad are sure to love this show. Although not explicitly spoken about or shown, the show packs many references. Walter and Jesse's dynamic can be associated with that of Sunny and Firoz. Michael's and Mansoor's (played by Kay Kay Menon) characters has ASAC Hank Schrader and Gus Fring written all over them. Moreover, the little sequence where Sunny and his gang steal paper from a factory is highly reminiscent of Walter and Jesse's heist of Methylamine.

One of the most commendable things about the show is how it develops the main characters, Sunny and Michael. Each have their own backstories that don't pull the audience away from the actual plot, that what's the main attraction in the story. It helms the emotional aspects of the story and supplements the action-packed plot quite well. 


This, however, does not apply to all characters. Unlike Jesse Pinkman, we don't get to see Firoz's emotional side. Another hitch is the character dynamics in general. Is Sunny really in love with his lady-love, or is he just using her? The show does not provide a clear answer. Michael with his son and wife is something we're just told about, but can't really perceive. Stronger scenes with them could have done the show a huge favour.

Although the show does fall a little flat with unoriginality towards the final episodes, the direction and performances elevate the mood. With elegant set pieces, a melodious score and rather questionable VFX, Farzi is a richly-written, enjoyable show, although exhausting at times. The ending with loose ends untied is sure to leave one yearning for more

Rating: ★★★☆☆

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- By Dharshun Kannan


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