In an era when most creators are either playing it safe or recycling established tropes, Munawar Faruqui’s foray into long-form storytelling with First Copy is a breath of fresh air. Munawar, known for his sharp stand-up comedy and cultural criticism, expertly combines satire with realism in this web series. “First Copy” is more than simply art, ambition, or celebrity; it’s a gritty, hilarious, and often brutally honest look at life behind the gloss of entertainment, particularly through the eyes of a struggling artist in modern-day India.
Sameer Saxena, well renowned for slice-of-life storytelling (TVF Tripling, Yeh Meri Family), lends a realistic tone to the show. He lets the characters breathe and the story grow gradually, never rushing the emotional arcs.
The Storyline
First Copy recounts the story of Zaid Sheikh, a lower-middle-class aspiring screenwriter from Dongri, Mumbai, who has high goals but little contacts. Zaid wants to make a groundbreaking film, but he’s torn between ghostwriting screenplays for YouTubers, pitching tone-deaf producers, and maintaining his honesty. The term “First Copy” relates to both the notion of an original script and the metaphor for being a replica of someone else. Munawar Faruqui uses First Copy to question the hypocrisy of Bollywood and OTT platforms.
Through Zaid’s experiences, the show reveals how tales are monetised, talent is underpaid, and uniqueness is frequently sacrificed for trends. The screenplay is riddled with parallels to real-world scenarios—YouTubers earning show agreements, TikTok stars playing leads, and scriptwriters being treated like interns.
The Best Part
Zaid’s past plays a crucial part. He is facing not just industry barriers, but also cultural expectations. His buddies wonder why he doesn’t acquire a steady job. His landlady is mocking his “laptop job.” His lower-income neighbourhood does not grasp the milieu he is attempting to get into, and that dichotomy makes the storyline considerably richer.
Anurag Saikia’s background soundtrack is sparse and intriguing. The tone is set with a combination of lo-fi hip-hop, classic Bollywood instrumental sounds, and ambient music. The opening music, consists of typewriter clicks and fading talks, symbolises a writer lost in cacophony.Â
The Characters
Faruqui offers a finely nuanced performance that is subtle when necessary and fierce when emotions are at their pinnacle. It’s evident that this part is semi-autobiographical, and honesty permeates every scene.
Shrishti Srivastava as Priya, a young editor attempting to assist Zaid, provides emotional depth. Rajesh Tailang’s portrayal of a cynical producer stands out. Abhishek Banerjee’s appearance as a pseudo-intellectual director who only speaks in metaphors is a highlight.
The Conclusion
First Copy is more than simply a web series; it’s a reflection of a generation seeking purpose in a society obsessed with analytics. It’s not loud, flamboyant, or massy. But it is honest, poignant, and vital.
If you’ve ever had a dream, questioned your choices, or felt like a misfit in a society that values imitation over creativity, First Copy is for you.
IMDb rating – 6.1/10
Written by Nilesh Shiv