It's been over half a decade since the massacre at Holey Artisan cafe in Dhaka, but it still continues to be a subject of macabre curiosity the world over due to its audacity. Now, a Bollywood film will delve into the details of Bangladesh's worst terror attack.
According to Indian media, 53-year-old Bollywood filmmaker Hansal Mehta's upcoming movie “Faraaz” is based on the grisly terrorist attack on the cafe in Gulshan.
The film -- a collaboration between Mehta and producers Anubhav Sinha and Bhushan Kumar -- chronicles the 12-hour siege that took place on July 1, 2016, according to the reports.
The attack was, in fact, carried out by a group of five young militants, who took nearly 50 diners -- mostly foreigners -- hostage at gunpoint and eventually killed 22 people. All the attackers were later killed in an operation by elite Bangladeshi Army commandos.
In the face of violent adversity, humanity wins!
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) August 4, 2021
Excited to collaborate with @anubhavsinha and #BhushanKumar on our labour of love #FARAAZ.
Featuring an exciting ensemble including the gifted @zahankapoor and @adityarawal1 on screen! pic.twitter.com/MPk1Z585XW
Shooting for the upcoming action-thriller started in June this year.
In a statement, producer Sinha said: "Faraaz is a human story based on one of the darkest days in modern history. It’s a film that will give the audience a deeply intimate look into what happened that night. It is as much a story of terror and loss as it is of hope and faith."
Mehta, who last helmed web series “Scam 1992- The Harshad Mehta Story” and sports drama feature “Chhalaang,” said he is thrilled that Sinha and Kumar have fulfilled his three-year-long dream of making this film.
He added: "Faraaz is a story of deep humanity and its ultimate triumph in the face of violent adversity. While it is based on true events, it is also a deeply personal story that I’ve held close to my heart for three years... I can’t wait for the world to see this film."
The film will mark the debut of late Bollywood star Shashi Kapoor's grandson Zahan Kapoor.
Established actor Paresh Rawal's son Aditya Rawal also stars in the film, which is currently being shot in Mumbai.
“From launching new actors to getting the gaze of the film right, we have done our best to imbue this story with ingenuity while keeping it suspenseful and thrilling," Sinha said.
Kumar said the intention of this film has been to stay true to the real event.
“When one is making a film like ‘Faraaz’, the first mainstream film made on this horrific attack, from ensuring that we are authentic to the event to getting the right mix of talent, our endeavour is to truly do justice to the subject and elevate the material to a satiating and thrilling cinematic experience,” he said.
File photo of Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain | Collected
Mentionable, Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain was one of the victims of the Holey Artisan massacre. He was the grandson of late Transcom Group chairman Latifur Rahman.
A student at Emory University in Atlanta, US, Faraaz -- who was in Dhaka on summer holidays -- had gone to the restaurant that day with two foreign friends – Abinta Kabir, a US citizen and also a student of Emory University, and Tarishi Jain, an Indian and a student of the University of California, Berkeley.
According to freed hostages, the militants had allowed Faraaz to flee but he refused to leave and chose to stay with his friends as the attackers had decided to not release them after learning about the women’s nationality.
