Babil Khan, who had made an impressive debut in Anvita Dutt’s Netflix film Qala in 2022, comes of age, quite literally, in his second outing Friday Night Plan, also streaming on Netflix. While Qala was a cerebral exploration of the psyche, Friday Night Plan is just the opposite. Vatsal Neelakantan’s directorial debut is a boisterous high school teen drama around two brothers with the familiar tropes of adolescent struggles and sibling dynamics.
An endearing sibling drama
Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment, Friday Night Plan revolves around two teenage brothers, Sid and Adi, and unfolds over the course of 24 hours. Irrfan Khan’s son Babil plays the elder brother Sid, who is responsible, studious and burdened with the weight of adulthood after the untimely death of their father.
Adi (Amrith Jayan) is just the opposite — he’s fun-loving and outspoken with a deep craving for acceptance and belonging. Juhi Chawla, who made her OTT debut with Amazon Prime Video series Hush Hush last year, plays their mom.
One day when their mother has to go to Pune on a work trip, the brothers decide to make the most of their freedom. They plan to attend a party thrown by Sid’s classmate Natasha (Medha Rana), the most popular girl in their school. The boys have some fun, indulging in plenty of beer and party games while also keeping an eye out for securing a prom date. However, a brush with a policeman threatens to ruin their plans for a hassle-free night.
Captures the essence of adolescence
Friday Night Plan is a light-hearted film with a straight-and-simple storyline on the journey of the self-discovery of its two protagonists. Sid, Adi and their gang of friends have a night of merriment, and the only spoiler to the party is a minor kerfuffle with a cop. What director Neelakantan chooses to focus on is the essence of adolescence with all its trials and tribulations.
Playing pranks on students from a rival school, beer games, making Instagram reels at the party, dancing your heart out — the themes may tread the predictable path but are enjoyable nonetheless. And in the midst of it all, the squabbling siblings Sid and Adi open up to each other and begin to understand their respective struggles. Adi helps Sid let his guard down and enjoy the party, while Sid schools his sibling on responsibility.
Babil’s screen presence is a winner
To his winsome smile and sense of vulnerability as Sid, Babil adds a measure of quiet gravitas. He embodies the carefree-yet-cautious spirit, effortlessly conveying the emotional shifts. As Sid’s younger brother, Amrith Jayan brings Adi to life with a refreshing honesty that allows viewers to connect with the character’s struggle to find his place in the world. The chemistry between Babil and Amrith adds depth and authenticity to the film. Though she has very limited screen time, Juhi plays an understanding mom to perfection.
The potential for a sequel is hinted at the end of the film, leaving us curious about what the future holds for Sid and Adi. We certainly wouldn’t mind setting out on another nocturnal adventure with the gang.
