Farrey

Directed by Soumendra Padhi, "Farrey" is a heist-thriller that follows a group of teenagers attempting to cheat on an international entrance test. Led by Niyati Singh (played by Alizeh Agnihotri), the group navigates the complexities of academic pressure and privilege to achieve their goals.

The film's premise, based on the Thai film "Bad Genius," offers promise but ultimately falls short in execution. While the storyline touches on themes of class disparity and the pressure to succeed, it lacks depth in character development and storytelling.

The performances by the cast, including Alizeh Agnihotri, Sahil Mehta, Zeyn Shaw, and Prasanna Bisht, are decent but fail to elevate the material. Despite the potential for emotional resonance, the film's pacing feels rushed, leaving little room for the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

One of the film's major drawbacks is its lack of a compelling soundtrack and sound direction, which contributes to moments of boredom and disengagement. Additionally, the ending feels predictable and anticlimactic, robbing the film of any lasting impact.

Overall, "Farrey" may serve as a passable one-time watch, but it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. With its lack of originality and missed opportunities for deeper exploration of its themes, it's a forgettable addition to the genre.

The rich-in-content Farrey catches you with complete surprise as it explores the dark side of greed convincingly... Smart storytelling, several nail-biting moments and inspiring performances are its biggest strengths. RECOMMENDED. Before I conclude, I must add, it deserved a catchy, easy-to-comprehend title.

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).

Director Soumendra Padhi, previously known for his notable work on the Netflix hit series Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega and the National Award-winning film Budhia Singh - Born to Run, demonstrates his exceptional suitability for this film. His direction is especially commendable with the debutant cast, prominently featuring Alizeh. For those who haven't experienced Bad Genius, Farrey provides a captivating series of twists and turns.

The word 'Farrey' stands for ways to cheat, to devise ingenious ways to surpass the system and most importantly, do this without getting caught. But what makes the film a terrific watch is the treatment and performances of the lead cast.

'Farrey' sort of pushes the boundaries and caters to a more mainstream crowd. There is very little titillation or need to push the envelope in that space and instead, Soumendra Padhi and his troupe of kids focus on their characters and making the performances take the lead.

When we meet Niyati (Alizeh Agnihotri) in an orphanage wanting to go big, we actually also get into what an all-girls shelter home looks like from the inside. On the other side of the spectrum are the rich and very privileged Chhavi (Prasanna Bisht) and Prateek (Zeyn Shaw). How Niyati gets entangled in what seems like just a mere case of making a quick buck is what sets 'Farrey' apart from the rest.

Performances are the strongest pillars in 'Farrey'. After writing, if there is a force that makes the film worth watching, then it has to be the ensemble that Soumendra Padhi has put together. You can tell from the scenes that he has definitely put these kids through rehearsals and sessions before finalising the main take.

Alizeh Agnihotri, who makes her debut with 'Farrey', is perhaps the best find of 2023. Easy on the eyes and yet so riveting, she shines bright in some of the most complex scenes. The no-makeup, de-glam look also helps Alizeh make Niyati feel real. Her first big scene - the long monologue opposite Ronit Roy - is where you get to see that glimpse of someone who, with the right guidance and support, can be moulded into a terrific performer.

Prassana Bisht, who plays Chavi, is super terrific and so is Sahil Mehta, who plays Aakash. These two actors will go a long way and should get picked up for the right roles.

'Farrey' has a steady first half, but it's the second follow-up storyline post interval where you find the most juice. It's fast paced, makes you sit on the edge of your seat and the characters spring one surprise after another. There is, thankfully, no forced love angle or any other gimmick that might be a distraction to what the maker is set out to do.

'Farrey' is a solid effort that keeps you engaged. The fact that it is based on a real-life event makes it even more fascinating. A solid A + on the mark sheet for the cast of 'Farrey'.

Farrey is the story of Niyati and Akash, two toppers from a poor background. Niyati is living with her foster parents and the foster kids while Akash works as a part time delivery boy. When they get admission at the no.1 college in the city, their world collides with another, the richer kind. What starts of as helping fellow classmates to cheat and pass the term exams, gets bigger as the two get engulfed in the vicious circle, with the offer of big money. Will these kids get back to the world they belong or get torn apart by the new world they got stuck in forms rest of the story.

The beauty of Farrey lies in it's writing and how grounded the scenes remain to reality. With the couple of songs initially feel deliberately added as it is a Bollywood film, I really couldn't find anything else to complain about. The first half goes on smoothly with establishing all the key characters. It is all mostly fun here with the cheating scenes and kids being kids till the interval block. All the heavy duty scenes are left for the second half which is where the film truly wins.

Alizeh as Niyati comes up with a solid performance which can be called as the best debut of the year so far. Another stupendous performance is from Sahil Mehta as Akash, especially in the final act. Ronit Roy stands out and lends superb support, his scenes leave a lasting impact. The supporting cast involving the rich kids are good too in their respective roles though only Zeyn Shaw as Prateek and Prasanna Bisht as Chhavi get better written characters. Arbaaz Khan in his cameo is first rate, for a dad putting unfair pressure on his daughter, it is the smile of his that haunts.

Getting back to the second half, the heavy drama involved here is well handled by the actors and kudos to the director to getting this performance out of each of them. That fine line between rich and poor is much clear here where rich always get away and it is the poor who needs to look for a second chance. It is not how dark the characters get to behave but the stark realization the main lead gets to have while she confesses to her father which comes out perfectly. I am going with an higher writing solely for this take.

Better watch original thai movie 'Bad genuious' thank remake. Bollywood never gives credit to orginal movie while making remake. They ditto copy pasted the story and scenes also.

Casted Alizeh nepo kid, niece of Salman Khan, another example of nepotism. If you already watched 'bad genuious' you won't be liking this remake. Ok OK remake. Ending is not properly directed. Everything was just ok ok.

Acting of side characters playing role of students wasn't that good except prasana bist playing role 'chhavi'. Ending seems ended abruptly. Ending could have directed.

One time entertaining movie. Injustice to character 'Akshay'. It could have build better.