Farrey review: Alizeh Agnihotri and Prasanna Bisht shine in this gripping high school drama

3.5/5

Farrey story:

Soumendra Padhi, who helmed Jamtara: Sabka Number Aayega, is back with his new offering - Farrey. The film marks Salman Khan’s niece Alizeh Agnihotri’s Bollywood debut. She stars in the film alongside Prasanna Bisht, Sahil Mehta, and Zeyn Shaw. The plot revolves around the life of an orphan, named Niyati (played by Alizeh), who gets into an elite school on the basis of her merit. However, Niyati’s life turns upside down when she gets embroiled in a cheating racket when her rich friends insist she helps them cheat in exams through various means.

Farrey movie review:

The title, Farrey, seems unusual yet intriguing. By unusual, we mean that it is a term not many people are aware of or use on a daily basis. However, this Soumendra Padhi film reveals a deeper meaning to the title with its gripping narrative. 

Farrey starts with the introduction to Niyati’s life, who is raised in an orphanage run by Shailesh Singh (Ronit Roy) and Zoya (Juhi Babbar Soni). Niyati is brilliant at studies, so much so that she goes on to top her 10th board exams, making everyone proud of her achievement. Given her great academic score, she is offered admission into an elite school. Little did Niyati know that her admission to this elite school would change her life forever.

This is followed by Niyati along with Aakash (Sahil Mehta) being introduced as the new students. The moment Niyati helps Chhavi (Prasanna Bisht) with an answer during a class, she becomes everyone’s favourite in Chhavi’s friend circle. With the first-term exams just around the corner, Chhavi requests Niyati to help her with her studies. Despite Niyati’s sincere efforts, Chhavi is unable to solve the exam paper, and that’s exactly when the cheating saga begins. Niyati helps Chhavi cheat in the first term examination and, thereafter, she continues to do so for other term exams. While she initially offers free help, Niyati demands money, in return, as she is asked to help Chhavi and her entire gang of friends. As fate would have it, Chhavi’s boyfriend Prateek (Zeyn Shaw) is caught cheating in an exam with the help of Niyati.

What happens next? It's for you to watch in the film.

Speaking about the film’s storyline, it seems basic at first. But what makes it interesting is the quick narrative set by the makers. The fact that the narrative is gripping and filled with surprise elements makes Farrey an enjoyable big-screen experience. With the narrative set quickly in the initial part of the film, you are left wanting more with each scene.

And while the film solves a majority of our questions, it ends up leaving some important questions unanswered. As someone who enjoyed this tale from the beginning, it was a bit disappointing to be left with question marks on some important aspects of certain characters. Apart from that, the way the makers have played with Aakash’s ‘skin tone’ in the film is highly disappointing. One doesn’t need to highlight a particular skin tone to pinpoint that a person belongs to a specific class in society.

As for the performances of the star cast, Alizeh Agnihotri pulls off a convincing act as Niyati. Farrey may be an unconventional film, but it seems to be a good start for her acting career. Besides Alizeh, it is Prasanna Bisht’s performance that is worth applauding. Her character is a major aspect of Farrey that cannot be ignored at any cost. On the other hand, Sahil Mehta and Zeyn Shaw do justice to their respective characters. Director Soumendra Padhi has groomed his young students quite well.

Farrey movie verdict:

Surprisingly, Farrey is an interesting watch. If you are planning to watch a theatrical release this weekend, the Alizeh Agnihotri film stands out as a good choice.