Is Farzi inspired by Breaking Bad? A Twitter thread has 9 big revelations

Yes, Shahid Kapoor’s character in Farzi seems to be a spin-off from his previous “money scam” movies like Kaminey and Badmaash Company but his latest series Farzi also has some interesting comparisons with Breaking Bad. 

Created by The Family Man alumni Raj and DK, Prime Video’s Farzi debuted on the OTT platform on February 10, 2023. Shahid Kapoor’s OTT debut and Vijay Sethupathi’s first Hindi-speaking role managed to build buzz, only furthering Raj and DK’s television success (which is expected to boom with their collaboration with the Russo Brothers for The Citadel). 

Farzi, which deals with the illegal business of printing fake currency notes, follows a formulaic approach of a likeable underdog going against the law to rise up the social ladder. Of course, there’s a cop tailing him and an underworld head honcho thrown in the mix, carrying forward the post-Sacred Games Indian OTT trends. 

Interestingly, a Twitter thread by the quiz show India Wants To Know has curated nine similarities that netizens have found out between Farzi and Breaking Bad. 

Of course, Breaking Bad in itself has become a benchmark in crime dramas since its debut and Farzi stands out on its own merits too rather than coming off as a copy of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman’s drug-making adventures. Here’s a breakdown of the similarities between the shows. 

1. The opening credits

This one probably seems like an overanalysis as the Twitter thread points out how both shows open with minimalist credit sequences where only the showrunners are mentioned. The similarity might be more of a coincidence given how other crime dramas follow similar minimalist montages including the crime elements and archival footage. 

For instance, Narcos heavily incorporates cocaine imagery given its focus on the drug trade. Even the zoom-ins on the currency notes in Farzi’s opening are quite similar to the logo reveal in the opening credits for Sacred Games. 

2. Mansoor Dalal = Gus Fring 

Aptly pointed out in the tweet, Kay Kay Menon’s fake note kingpin Mansoor Dalal does give off strong Gus Fring vibes. Both are ruthless sharks who lure in new fish into the game. Gus employs Walter and Jesse so that he can monopolise their pure blue crystal meth. To ensure the highest grade output, he also equips them with a laboratory much advanced than Walt and Jesse’s RV cookhouse. 

In Farzi, Dalal similarly lets Shahid Kapoor’s protagonist Sunny and his best friend Firoz access a premium quality printing press, complete with the printing paper that the government itself uses for printing notes. Just like Gus, Dalal explains that he hires Sunny because Sunny’s artistry would otherwise serve as a competitive threat to him (much like how Walt’s meth was threatening Gus’s business). 

3. Megha = Hank?

Mansoor Dalal might still bear a physical resemblance to Gus Fring but the RBI analyst Megha Vyas is obviously a far cry from the Drug Enforcement Administration officer Hank Schrader. While Hank is also Walter’s brother-in-law, Walt uses his familial connection and friendship with him to distract him from his “Heisenberg” persona. It might be a stretch but Sunny also tries to dupe law enforcement by starting a relationship with Megha although with different consequences. 

4. Cooking = Printing

The meth-cooking scenes make for some visually-pleasing content in Breaking Bad; more so when Walt starts working at Gus’s lab. The bright colours and the ambient music make for some memorable montages.

A lot of the money-printing in Farzi is similarly executed in montages and dramatic camera zoom-ins. 

5. A pile of cash

The Breaking Bad frame featuring Saul’s strongmen Huell and Kuby (a pre-fame Bill Burr) laying on a pile of cash has turned into a popular meme template and understandably so, everyone loves to have a moment where they can just lay on endless money notes without a worry in their mind.

Farzi’s Sunny and Firoz also have a similar success moment when they are seen laughing and sitting on a mountain of 2000-rupee notes. 

6. The artist angle

Sunny is not only in the fake money business for the financial returns but also because it allows him an opportunity to show off his art and forgery skills. In fact, he introduces himself to many clients as simply “Artist”.

Similarly in Breaking Bad, Walter White’s background as a chemist strokes his ego. Walt is convinced that his meth is the best quality because of his perfect knowledge of the chemistry behind it.

While Walt’s perfectionism is visible in the crystal blue colour of his product, Sunny also leaves a subtle “S” as his artist signature on every note that he crafts. 

7. No guilt of breaking the law

Both Sunny and Walter are introduced as morally good characters. But their morality starts getting dubious as they dabble in illegal professions to a point where both are practically remorseless for their actions. Even after his grandfather is infuriated by his actions, Sunny confesses that he tried to feel guilty but he just couldn’t.

In terms of morality, an apt comparison can also be made between Firoz and Jesse. Both sidekicks serve as the “ride-or-die” friend to the protagonist but both have a certain point where they just want to stop their illegal work (unlike the power-hungry Sunny and Walt). 

8. A lot of money

Be it in his partying days or the time when he genuinely wishes to help others, Jesse loves throwing around his hard-earned money. Walter also has his moments of self-indulgence as can be seen from the expensive cars he buys for himself and his son. In a money-centric show like Farzi, it is obvious that the characters throw around a lot of money (in even the literal sense). 

9. The significance of fire

Fires can either signify a beginning or the end. In both Farzi and Breaking Bad, fire is used as a tool to end a business partnership.

So, Sunny burning his pile of printed cash at Dalal’s warehouse mirrors the scene where Jesse and Walter burn down Gus Fring’s lab. 

Bonus: Shared Universes

India Wants To Know’s Twitter also pointed out an interesting Easter Egg that connects Farzi with The Family Man. Attentive viewers spotted an ad about Golden Triangle, a flat property that The Family Man’s Shrikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) was interested in. 

Similarly, the tough cop Michael (Vijay Sethupati) calling up a contact called Tiwari clearly implies that Bajpayee’s family man might most probably drop by in Farzi’s second season for a cameo. Also, don't miss the cameo by The Family Man's much-loved Chellam Sir. It is an interesting reference, given that not many Indian TV shows have connected universes.

As for Breaking Bad, the prequel series Better Call Saul carried forward the so-called Gilligan-verse (both shows created by Vince Gilligan). 

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