“Toh kya matter karta hain tere liye?”
“Tu”
This exchange between Dhruv and Faruq in Netflix’s new show Class is all I can think about after I finished binge-watching it. Spanish teenage drama Elite’s Indian adaptation—Class is dark, edgy, and chaotic but at the same time so wholesome. One of the most heartwarming plotlines from the show is Dhruv (played by Chayan Chopra) and Faruq’s (Chintan Rach) love story.
Spoiler alert (duh). Just like its international counterpart, Class is based on the social lives of the rich and elite school kids. It all begins when three slum kids—Saba (Madhyama Segal), Dheeraj Kumar Valmiki (Piyush Khati) and Balli Sherawat (Cwaayal Singh) are given a chance to study at Hampton International School.
While lies, greed and manipulation remain the theme of the show, I saw kindness and empathy in Dhruv and Faruq’s love story. Let’s talk about the most memorable moments featuring my favourite couple.
Two Different Worlds, The Same Story
I first met Faruq Manzoor as Saba’s supportive brother who wants to escape his identity as a Kashmiri Muslim. He is a man who goes after what he wants. To achieve his dreams, Faruq runs a side hustle as a drug peddler and that’s how he meets Dhruv for the first time. Their attraction is instant and in no time, they start dating each other but their journey is far from easy.
Meanwhile, Dhruv is the son of the school’s principal and swimming coach. He is battling his parents’ expectations of him and his identity as a queer man. Both Dhruv and Faruq have their dragons to slay. Perhaps that’s why their love becomes their anchor.
Much More Than A Teenage Trope
On the surface, Dhruv and Faruq’s story might look like a cliché—two kids from different worlds, romances that begin with drugs, and a love forbidden by their families. But there’s so much more to their relationship.
Faruq isn’t delusional in love. He knows his limitations and is willing to leave Dhruv to protect him. The two aren’t scared of getting hurt in love. Their vulnerability and helplessness pull you back into the show in an instant.
The Unabashed Intimacy
Faruq and Dhruv are the only reason I sat through Netflix’s Class pic.twitter.com/QYPWhpJ1lQ
— homoerato__ (@homoerato79) February 5, 2023
While Elite is well-known for its sexual scenes, I wasn’t sure if the Indian adaptation will go this far. Imagine my surprise when I saw how brilliantly show makers Ashim Ahluwalia, Gul Dharmani and Kabir Mehta presented the intimacy between two men.
From their first kiss to sexual encounters, everything feels so raw and real. I had goosebumps whenever these two even looked at each other. Their on-screen chemistry was electric and it had me rooting for the two of them till the end of the show.
Dhruv’s Innocence Against Faruq’s Cynicism
Dhruv’s naïveté is almost heartbreaking to see. During their secret meetings, he asks Faruq, “Hum couple ki tarah to rahenge na (we will stay like a couple, right?)”. His genuineness shines, but Faruq’s cynicism is equally important.
Not Just A Queer Love Story
While it is always amazing to see LGBTQA+ couples in a show, sometimes it just becomes a token representation. That’s not at all what happened with Dhruv and Faruq’s story.
Their relationship also opened up discussions about class differences, bigotry, and religious dogma. The two might not have all the answers but they were there to raise uncomfortable questions. For this reason, Dhruv and Faruq have all of my love.
While watching Class, I wanted to jump on the screen just to protect Dhruv and Faruq from the brutality of the world. You can catch Class on Netflix and judge for yourself.
Feature Image: Instagram
