Mumbai : ABBA’s famous lyrics, “Money, money, money; must be funny in the rich man’s world,” ring true in the Netflix series Farzi. The main characters, Sunny (played by Shahid Kapoor) and his friend Firoz (played by Bhuvan Arora), are struggling to survive in a world where money appears to be the key to happiness. They are under the guidance of Sunny’s grandfather, who serves as their caretaker and moral compass (played by Amol Palekar).
Sunny’s grandfather runs a revolutionary newspaper called Kranti, which is threatened by loan sharks. In response, Sunny takes matters into his own hands and, with the help of his artist skills and Firoz’s printing abilities, they begin creating counterfeit currency. Although it starts as a form of rebellion, they soon become entangled in the criminal underworld. Kapoor’s performance as Sunny captures his descent into crime with grace and precision, and Arora’s comic timing adds a lighthearted touch to the show.
Their operation attracts the attention of the police, including Officer Michael Vednayagam (played by Vijay Sethupathi) and RBI employee Megha Vyas (played by Raashii Khanna). The show’s cinematography and editing create a mesmerizing experience, showcasing the hypnotic effects of greed and power. The writing, by Raj and DK and Sita R. Menon and Suman Kumar, expertly portrays female characters without resorting to tokenism.
Farzi is filled with twists and turns, some of which are predictable, but its strong writing keeps the audience engaged. While some viewers may not enjoy long-form content, the show is a gripping and thrilling experience that is well worth the watch.