Director: Deepak Tijori
Starring: Manoj Bajpai, Shilpa Shetty, Shamita Shetty
Music: Anu Malik

Man Singh of 'Bandit Queen', Bhiku Mhatre of 'Satya' and Samar Pratap Singh of 'Shool' have traveled a long way during the last ten years. The progression for Manoj Bajpai has been from the sideline role to the main lead. However, while leaping for a prime place in Bollywood, he has forgotten his own capabilities and caliber.

Manoj Bajpai is one of the best character artistes we have today. He is at par with Sanjeev Kumar in any role that filmmakers can think of. However, he wants to become Shah Rukh Khan. And unluckily, Manoj has neither the personality nor the looks like Shah Rukh's.

He is running behind an illusion and may lose even what he has. Coming from a middle class family of the most backward state of India (Bihar), Manoj has managed to carve a place for himself. He had been getting good roles until 'Fiza', but his ambition for mushy roles left him with no choice but to accept miniscule roles in films like 'Veer Zaara' and 'Bewafa'.

There is not much hope left for him to succeed as a solo hero as most of the films having him as protagonist like 'Jaago', 'Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar' and 'Ghaath' have flopped miserably at box office.

The time is ripe for Manoj Bajpai to reconsider his game plan and make a more far-sighted strategy to be around for some more time lest he might fall a prey to the ruthless world called Bollywood.

The triangle of this story is complete with Riya (Shamita, for the first time matching with her elder sister Shilpa on screen) who is married to a corporate biggie (Bakul Thakker).

Riya's husband is a client of Aditya's ad agency and this gives an opportunity to Riya to meet Aditya. In the very first meeting with Aditya, Riya is smitten by Aditya's dark and handsome looks coupled with his creativity at work.

But, there is something more than this creativity that Riya is looking for. She tries to seduce him again and again by her body show and physical assets. In the beginning, Aditya tries to push away Riya, but later falls a prey to her charm.

The new relationship brings havoc in the married life of Aditya and Neha. Before Aditya could choose between the two, Riya is found in a pool of blood. The needle of suspicion points to none other than Aditya.

The police officer (Kelly Dorji) has no choice but to arrest him. Life for Aditya and Neha becomes a hell. And, everything is noticed by the real criminal behind this.

'Fareb' moves farther from the illicit relationship noticed in 'Aitraaz'. If Shamita was the sufferer in 'Zeher', she becomes the cause of suffering in 'Fareb'. There have been many films full of illicit relationships.

However, the only novelty that actor-turned-director Deepak Tijori, the maker of offbeat films like 'Oops' and a 'Khamosh', presents here is a stereotype story on screen.

Deepak shows his caliber in the opening sequence and proves that given the right opportunity and right set- up he can do better than several other big names in Hindi cinema.

The film belongs to him only for the courage he has shown to cast Manoj Bajpai in a role that could have looked more convincing on a John Abraham or Dino Morea. Though Manoj Bajpai has played the male lead opposite heroines like Karisma and Tabu in the past, yet he has never looked so calm as he does opposite Shilpa.

Writers like Brijesh Jayarajan and Girish Dhamija (the latter also writes dialogues for this film) have tried very hard to make a usual story line look very different in narration, but after a good start the pace slows down.

If first half of the film is close to brilliance, the post- interval portion lacks luster. Manoj Soni captures some good moments with the help of camera on screen and even Anu Malik tries to lift the credentials of an average film with his foot-tapping music.

But, 'Fareb' does not have an initial value. Watching the star-studded performance in the other film 'Dus' in competition, it is for sure that 'Fareb' will find it very tough to get even an average opening.

This is despite the fact that even 'Dus' does not have enough value to sustain at the box office. First three days of the weekend might prove a disaster for the film. Among actors, Manoj Bajpai has tried to carry the film on his shoulders single handedly, but he has his limitations.

Manoj Bajpai has done so many roles in his career so far, but he still finds it difficult to emote on the screen. Shilpa has given good support to him, but it is the younger sister Shamita who comes as a surprise package in the film.With each film this Shetty junior is improving a lot. But the bottom line remains the same: Who will come to watch a murder mystery that has already been seen so many times?