Did You Know Shahid Kapoor’s Farzi Was Initially Planned As A Film With Nawazuddin Siddiqui?
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Directors Raj & DK had initially planned to make the film with Shahid Kapoor in the lead and Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing the role that eventually went to Vijay Sethupathi.
Farzi poster featuring Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi.
Shahid Kapoor’s crime thriller Farzi has won over audiences with its gripping narrative, but did you know it was originally conceived as a feature film? Directors Raj & DK had initially planned to make the film with Shahid Kapoor in the lead and Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing the role that eventually went to Vijay Sethupathi. However, as the story developed, they realised the plot had more depth than a two-hour film could accommodate. This led to Farzi being reimagined as an eight-episode series, allowing for a richer, more layered exploration of its themes, according to Pinkvilla.
The series follows Sunny (Shahid Kapoor), a struggling artist who turns to counterfeiting in a desperate attempt to save his grandfather’s printing press. With the help of his close friend Firoz (Bhuvan Arora), Sunny begins producing high-quality fake currency, soon catching the attention of law enforcement. Tasked with shutting down this growing operation is Michael Vedanayagam (Vijay Sethupathi), a relentless officer determined to dismantle the counterfeit empire.
The shift from film to web series gave Farzi a chance to develop its characters in greater detail, particularly the cat-and-mouse game between Sunny and Michael. If the film had materialised as planned, audiences might have seen Nawazuddin Siddiqui take on the role of the no-nonsense cop, a casting choice that would have offered a completely different dynamic.
Filming for Farzi began in July 2021, with Raj & DK choosing diverse locations such as Mumbai, Goa, Alibaug, Nepal, and Jordan to add authenticity and scale to the narrative. The show finally premiered on Amazon Prime Video on February 10, 2023, receiving widespread acclaim for its fast-paced storytelling, sharp social commentary, and powerhouse performances.
From being a high-stakes thriller to a story that questions societal disparities and personal choices, Farzi stands out as one of the most engaging web series in recent times. The success of the show has left fans eagerly waiting for a second season, especially after the intriguing cliffhanger.