'Farrey' director Soumendra talks about the lengthy workshops attended by Alizeh Agnihotri for the film

The film 'Farrey' helmed by Soumendra Padhai was highly applauded by the audiences after it's theatrical release and now the film is streaming on ZEE5. Amid the film's digital release buzz we got in touch with the director for a candid chat. We asked him, "What inspired you to take on a subject like cheating and make a film on it"?

To this he replied, "When I was offered the chance to direct this film, I jumped at it immediately. Teenage drama is rarely explored in films, with only a few examples like Rockford or Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar coming to mind. I saw this as an opportunity to delve into the world of teenagers and explore what happens in classrooms. It intrigued me, and I was eager to be part of the project."

When questioned, what insights or guidance did you provide to the young cast members, including Alizeh Agnihotri, Sahil Mehta, Prasanna Bisht, Shilpa Shukla, and Zeyn Shaw, to help them effectively embody their characters in Farrey, he said, "To help the young cast members effectively embody their characters in Farrey, we conducted extensive workshops, especially for Alizeh. She underwent a lengthy workshop in Delhi led by NSD and theater veteran Mr. MK Raina. We continued these workshops in Bombay after Sahil Prasan and Zeyn Shaw joined the cast. Additionally, the actors spent a lot of time together, engaging in readings and rehearsals."

He further added, "The advantage of working with new actors is that they are malleable. They come without any preconceived notions, allowing us to mold them into their characters. There was no resistance from any of the actors; they were free to explore, make mistakes, and learn in a supportive environment. Working with Shilpa Shukla was particularly enjoyable, as she is a fantastic actor. We had 2-3 days of readings followed by 2-3 days of shooting. Shilpa is not only talented but also a gem of a person, making her a pleasure to work with."

Shedding light on the challenges he faced while filming this project, he said, "Shooting in Delhi, presented numerous challenges and obstacles especially for the location shoots, it was incredibly difficult. In fact, it was one of the toughest shoots I've ever experienced. Adding to the complexity was the ongoing COVID-19 situation, which introduced a lot of uncertainties. Despite these challenges, the young cast and crew demonstrated remarkable dedication and passion. They navigated through the difficulties with resilience and professionalism, without any complaints. Their commitment to the project was commendable, and they were all fully prepared to tackle whatever obstacles came their way."

The movie is currently streaming on ZEE5.