Salman Khan Films, Mythri Movie Makers, Athena and Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd.’s Farrey (UA) is about copying in competitive examinations.
Niyati (Alizeh) and Akash (Sahil Mehta) are very bright students. In multiple choice questions, Niyati not only often completes her paper before time but also helps friends by letting them cheat. She thinks of novel ways to help friends in examinations. On the other hand, Akash does not believe in copying or letting others copy. Soon, Niyati makes helping others in examinations her business in which she makes good money. The business idea comes from her friend, Chhavi (Prasanna Bisht), whom Niyati helps copy. Like Chhavi, Prateek (Zeyn Shaw) also soon shells out money, to ensure that he can copy. Niyati needs the money to financially help the orphanage in which she lives. Her business grows as more and more students are ready to pay a huge amount of money to copy in the examinations so that they pass with flying colours. What happens ultimately?
The film is based on Thai film Chalard Games Goeng (Bad Genius). It has an interesting story which is quite different from the usual stories of commercial films. The screenplay, penned by Soumendra Padhi and Abhishek Yadav, is fast-paced and also very engaging. The new techniques of copying introduced by Niyati are interesting to watch. What’s more, although the film is only about copying in examinations, the writers have not let the drama ever become repetitive or boring. In fact, the tension of being caught copying is so well built by the writers that the audience become a part of the competitive examinations with only multiple choice questions. If the tension in the examination hall is palpable, the planning for copying is interesting and also ‘fulfilling’. But the writers have not answered two or three basic questions which are bound to arise in the viewers’ minds. Why does Niyati risk her future by aiding students in copying, when she is such an outstanding and bright student? Isn’t she confident that she would earn pots of money once she takes up a job? How do Niyati, Chhavi and Prateek become friends with Akash after he complains to the principal that Niyati had answered the question papers of Chhavi and Prateek? These are very important questions, answers to which are not even attempted to be given. That’s a major minus point of the screenplay. Soumendra Padhi, Abhishek Yadav and Jitendra Nath Jeetu’s dialogues are realistic and authentic.
Alizeh is promising in the role of Niyati. She is absolutely free in front of the camera and delivers a fine performance in her debut film. Sahil Mehta does a nice job as Akash. He keeps it as real as possible. Prasanna Bisht looks appealing and plays Chhavi with all the conviction at her command. Zeyn Shaw, as Prateek, has endearing looks and is also very easy in front of the camera. Ronit Roy lends lovely support as the warden of the orphanage. Juhi Babbar Soni gets very limited scope as the warden’s wife; she acts well. Shilpa Shukla is wonderful as the school principal. Arbaaz Khan leaves a mark as Chhavi’s businessman-father. Anupam Bhattacharya (as Mukherji Sir), Puneet Channa (as Deepak Jena Sir), Bhavna Choudhary (as Priyanka), Shivangi Negi (as Monica), Alaina (as Titli), Alankrita Solanki (as Shilpa), Yashika (as Laxmi), Aradhya Singh (as Chikki), Anaita (as Aalia), Lakshita (as Deepika), Aruna Soni (as Akash’s mother), Aradhya Moda (as Akash’s sister), Paras Nagpal (as Rishabh), Mahika Sharma (as Jerin), Arshvir Wahi (as Sahil), Pooja Rawat (as Aakanksha), Alok Verma (as the invigilator in the coaching centre), Carl and Rick (as David William and Mark respectively of the Australia examination centre), Alessandra Whelan (as Catherine of the Australia examination centre) and the rest are adequate.
Soumendra Padhi’s direction is very good. He has been able to aptly create the tension in each of the examinations so that the audience get the feeling of watching a nail-biting drama. Sachin-Jigar’s music is nice but a super-hit score was what was needed in this youthful film. Lyrics (Abhishek Dubey, Jigar Saraiya, MC Stan and Mellow D) are in synch with the film’s mood. Vijay Ganguly’s song picturisations are quite nice. Sidhant Mathur’s background music is very impactful. Keiko Nakahara’s cinematography is first-rate. Paramjeet Pamma’s action and stunt scenes are thrilling. Susheel Mishra’s production designing and Roshan Thakur’s art direction are of a fine standard. Zubin Sheikh’s editing is very sharp.
On the whole, Farrey is a well-made and engaging film but if it still does not get the box-office numbers, it will be because of gross lack of promotion of a new star cast film, a difficult title (which is understood mainly in North India only) and a screenplay which leaves some important questions unanswered (as mentioned above).
Released on 24-11-’23 at Inox (daily 5 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity: not up to the mark. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.