Manoj Bajpayee’s Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man and Vijay Sethupathi’s Michael Vedanayagam in Farzi are cut from the same cloth. Both are law-abiding and dutiful government officials, created by one of the most sought-after director duos — Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., popularly known as Raj and DK.
Be it their impeccable sense of humour, prioritising work over everything else, leading the team from the front or having Chellum sir’s (retired member of the National Investigation Agency) number on speed dial, Srikant Tiwari and Michael Vedanayagam remind us of each other on many occasions, with both hailing from the quintessential Raj-DK cinematic universe.
While The Family Man has been rated as one of the best homegrown web series, Farzi has been doing remarkably well on Prime Video. While you don’t miss the bonhomie between Michael and Srikant when the former calls up the latter for help, followed by a hilarious banter only they can indulge in, we list some other areas where Srikant Tiwari and Michael Vedanayagam have a lot in common.
Work above family commitments
Srikant Tiwari and Michael Vedanayagam have an ongoing struggle around balancing their professional and personal lives. Their families have learnt to manage on their own. Michael talks about his duty and responsibility towards the country, while Srikant is given to dodging social dos and parent-teacher meetings at his daughter’s school if an urgent assignment comes up. While both try to justify their stand regarding their work, their relentless passion and unwavering integrity is often lost on their loved ones. And they, too, pay dearly for making this tough choice.
A team player
Srikant has a heart-in-mouth situation when his colleague and friend JK Talpade (Sharib Hashmi) gets injured in a mission. We loved the bromance between them in Season 1 and 2 of The Family Man and their amusing conversations. Even with his other co-workers, Srikant maintains a playful composure.
Michael, too, comes across as chilled out among his colleagues. From offering a drink to sharing a poor joke, Michael treats his team like family. He doesn’t hold back from appreciating anyone, throwing a party after good work, or grooming talented juniors.
Effortlessly funny
Since the release of The Family Man, Srikant Tiwari’s savage comments have been turned into popular memes. Michael Vedanayagam’s punchlines in Farzi have also set a new benchmark for Vijay Sethupathi fans. Both Manoj Bajpayee and Sethupathi are spot on with their deadpan dialogue delivery of some very witty lines.
Srikant has a lot of fun banter with his daughter Dhriti and son Atharv during their ride to school and at home. His children blackmail him for pizza, ice cream and an iPhone. Caught by his son thrashing a man, Srikant tries to wriggle out with a lame excuse, ‘Hum khel rahe hai’ (We’re playing), and makes the guy wave a hello to him.
Michael gets his son Vyom to try some spicy Mumbai street food away from his wife’s eye. When his kid runs to the loo soon after, Michael’s words of consolation are: ‘Pain is only in the mind, not in your body’. In another situation, when the kingpin in a currency counterfeiting case is suspicious that the food served to him in jail might be laced with poison, Michael playfully tastes it and fakes choking.
And the scenes involving Michael and minister Pawan Gahlot (Zakir Hussain) are pure gold. Michael saying ‘Sir, you look cute, sir’ is a reminder to Gahlot about the incriminating photos Michael has in his possession. Then, when his colleagues insist that he has a samosa, Michael retorts with a straight face, ‘Abhi main diet pe hoon’ (I am on a diet now), which makes everyone break out in laughter. All these add up to Raj and DK’s brand of situational comedy.
No-nonsense spouse
Srikant Tiwari’s wife Suchitra (Priyamani) and Michael Vedanayagam’s Rekha (Regina Cassandra) are both independent and strong-willed women. They fell in love, went against their families, got married and raised children but never veered from following their own ambition and aspiration.
There’s a regular dose of conjugal disagreements, and both Suchitra and Rekha know how to put their men in their place. And it’s because they take care of the needs at home that Srikant and Michael have been able to be two of the best officers at work.
It’s fun to watch Srikant and Michael getting jealous if other men come closer to their better halves. They respect their partners, and are also vulnerable and helpless around them.
