Am I dreaming or is it a rare Hansal Mehta miss? Faraaz is a hostage thriller inspired by a real-life terrorist attack in Dhaka. Hansal Mehta + Real life incidents = Full entertainment, right? I’m sorry, but not this time. This film wants to take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, tackling the delicate balance between humanity, religion, and radicalism, but the regular jerks and stops make it a disappointing watch.
One of the highlights of Faraaz lies in its well-rounded characters. Aditya Rawal steals the show as Nibras, the leader of the militant group. He skillfully portrays the conflicted nature of his character, alternating between being humane and cruel, thoughtful yet blinded by hate. Zahan Kapoor, who plays the titular character of Faraaz, brings a balanced and effective performance, proving that talent runs in the family (he is the grandson of the legendary Shashi Kapoor ji). Kudos to the fresh faces like Sachin Lalwani and Reshham Sahaani, who add an extra punch of conviction to the mix.
The technical aspects fail to hit the mark, as the cinematography and editing lack the intensity of a hostage thriller
The film’s cinematography is a hit and a miss (more misses). While the aerial shots of Dhaka are authentic, the overall visual representation of the cafe and its surroundings lacks the mood and authenticity of the actual location where the tragedy unfolded. The film feels more like it was shot in Mumbai rather than Dhaka, which hampers the immersion and realism of the story. The camera work adds to the film’s overall atmosphere, and the editing keeps the pace controlled despite some narrative dragging in the second half.
The dialogues also seem more like a social media debate, failing to captivate the audience and immerse them in the situation
Additionally, the movie, while gripping, could have used a bit more oomph in certain areas. The writing, for instance, sometimes feels like a woke Twitter debate. We use social media 24/7, we want depth, people! As a result, Faraaz lacks powerful dialogues that resonate with our souls. Furthermore, the film fails to fully engage the audience on an emotional level. Despite the intense subject matter, the nervous energy that should build up over time stagnates, and the film never reaches its peak in terms of creating a claustrophobic and gut-wrenching experience.
In summary, Faraaz is a film that tackles important themes of extremism, religion, and tolerance, drawing inspiration from a tragic real-life incident. The performances, particularly by Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor, are commendable, and the cinematography adds to the tension of the hostage situation. However, the film’s limitations in writing and execution prevent it from delivering a truly impactful and emotionally resonant experience. It lacks the depth and weight necessary to make a lasting impression. While Faraaz is an adequately gripping hostage thriller, it doesn’t really hit you right in the feels.
