“T-Series” has finally released the trailer of the much-anticipated Hansal Mehta movie, Faraaz. The movie stars the likes of Aditya Rawal, Zahan Kapoor, Juhi Babbar, Aamir Ali, Palak Lalwani, and more. “Faraaz” explores the events of a tragic terrorist attack that took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and follows the story of a young and ambitious man named Faraaz, who happily sacrifices his life to save and cater to others in need. As you’ve already guessed, the movie is based on a real event, so in memory of Faraaz Hussain, let’s take the ferry back to the past and learn more about this brave man.
Is ‘Faraaz’ Based on Real Life?
The movie is inspired by real events and follows the 2016 terror attack on a cafe in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. On 1, 2016, several terrorists carrying assault rifles barged into a cafe catering to dozens of locals and tourists. The terrorists were armed with AK47s, explosives, and handguns and took everyone, hostage. Later, the aforementioned terrorist group started physically dividing worshippers of Islam from those of other faiths. They even forced everyone to read the holy Quran to segregate them. Those who were Muslim were allowed to leave the cafe, and the rest were held at gunpoint. Faraaz Hussain, Bangladeshi Muslim, was also offered the chance to leave. However, he chooses to stay with his friends Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain instead.
Who Was Faraaz Hussain? What Really Took Place On July 1, 2016?
Faraaz Hussain was a brilliant student and had a bright future and an outstanding career waiting for him. Often referred to as “Chotu” by his loved ones, Faraaz was born on April 15, 1996, and dreamt of being successful like his mother, Simeen Hossain, who served as the Managing Director of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals. Faraaz began his schooling at the mere age of 3 and enrolled at Sir John Wilson, where he remained until the end of second grade. The next year, he enrolled in the American International School, from where he would eventually matriculate in 2014. After receiving his high school diploma in August 2014, Faraaz applied to and was accepted to the Goizueta School Of business at Atlanta’s renowned Emory University. On the day of the attack, Faraz and his friends were out enjoying their coffee when the attackers barged in with guns. Many customers ducked beneath their seats while service workers fled up the staircase in a frenzy. Workers on the 2nd floor scurried into a bathroom for safety. Eight employees took refuge in the stalls. The assailant proceeded upward, urging Bangladeshi Muslims to come out, promising that no harm would come to them. Due to the lack of a response, the armed men likely concluded that the bathroom was empty and therefore shut the entrance. Employees locked in the stall started sending texts to loved ones, explaining their predicament and pleading for rescue.
The assailants then grabbed several captives, practically all of whom were tourists. According to accounts, the perpetrators were very kind and friendly towards the bakery’s workers as well as other Bangladeshis. The Jihadis spoke out to the employees about how they felt that the Western lifestyle—short skirts and beer—was hindering the propagation of their religion. In response to the gunshots, police investigators Rabiul Karim and Salauddin Khan launched an investigation. The establishment was subsequently visited by more responding law enforcement officers. A gun battle ensued between the terrorists and law enforcement. A rescue attempt was organized, and authorities sealed off the neighborhood surrounding the cafe. In spite of this, the terrorists tossed explosives and opened fire, ultimately taking the lives of policemen Karim and Khan. The militants started freeing captives on July 2, including Muslim women and men; Faraaz was also given a choice, but he decided to stay with his non-Muslim friends. Faraaz was unflinching in the face of hardship, prioritizing the welfare of his friends over his own.
After getting the green light from then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the military began “Operation Thunderbolt.” Armed with nine armored personnel carriers, soldiers broke past the cafe’s defenses, rushed inside, and took control of the cafe in under an hour. The military was able to pull out 13 captives and put down five of the six gunmen firing at the squad. As per media reports, the terrorists claimed the lives of 24 people, including Faraaz Hussain, and severely injured more than 40 hostages. Even in death, Faraaz became a symbol of hope and inspired others to keep up the battle against terrorism. He stood firmly on his ideology that terrorists of any stripe do their evil in the name of no god. Even after his death, Faraaz is still revered throughout the world for his courage and unwavering beliefs. The world took note of Faraaz’s bravery, and he was posthumously bestowed with the “Mother Teresa Memorial International Award” in 2016. To commemorate Faraaz, the Italian Consulate in Tunis hosted a tree-planting ceremony in their Garden of the Righteous on July 15, 2016. Additionally, Faraaz’s name is also associated with a prestigious honor, the “Faraaz Hossain Courage Award.” The goal of the honor is to inspire children in Bangladesh to follow in the footsteps of those who have shown extraordinary courage and compassion for others by recognizing and honoring their deeds.