First Copy Trailer: Munawar Faruqui Transform Into Piracy Kingpin In Gritty 90s Crime Drama
Set in 90s Bollywood's piracy scene, First Copy stars Munawar Faruqui in his acting debut alongside Gulshan Grover and Krystle D'Souza in a gripping drama.
Amazon MX Player has officially released the much-anticipated trailer for its upcoming original series First Copy, promising a heady mix of nostalgia, crime, and cinema from the heart of 1990s Mumbai. With a powerful ensemble cast led by stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui in his acting debut, the series dives deep into the booming underground world of film piracy—a world where dreams of stardom met the harsh realities of duplicity and desperation. Streaming for free from June 20, 2025, on Amazon MX Player across mobile, Fire TV, Prime Video, and Amazon's shopping app, First Copy is poised to ignite conversations around cinema, piracy, and creative ownership.
Set against the backdrop of a decade when movie stars were larger than life and pirated VCDs were a gateway to fame for those shut out of mainstream narratives, First Copy captures the pulse of a city in cinematic obsession. The trailer reveals a gritty, emotionally charged world where Arif, a charismatic young man played by Munawar Faruqui, builds an empire by replicating the very dreams Bollywood sells. With unmatched street smarts and an undying hunger to rise above his circumstances, Arif steps into the shadowy circuits of bootleggers, only to find himself torn between ambition and morality, love and loss.
For Munawar Faruqui, the series marks more than just an acting debut — it's a deeply personal journey. 'Films were everything to me growing up. They were my escape, my hope. Playing Arif brought back so much of that. He's flawed, impulsive, but he dreams big, and that makes him human," said Faruqui. 'First Copy isn't just a story about piracy. It's a story about people who survive on the margins, who build their world from scraps, and who dare to dream when everything's against them."
Joining him is Krystle D'Souza as Mona, a layered character navigating her own relevance in a rapidly changing world. Mona is elegant, intelligent, and emotionally scarred — a woman too proud to fade away. Krystle described Mona as someone who 'wears her wounds like armour," adding that the role gave her space to explore silent complexities of a woman holding on to her identity amid chaos. Her dynamic with Arif forms one of the emotional spines of the series, weaving themes of companionship, redemption, and fading fame.
Gulshan Grover, the original 'bad man' of Hindi cinema, returns to familiar territory as Mahesh Kumar, a power broker who operates from the shadows. With his intimidating presence and calculating intellect, Mahesh Kumar embodies the ruthlessness of a man who helped build the system and now uses it for survival. 'The show reminded me of a time I've lived through — when films were everything, and everything was at stake. It's not just about movies; it's about ambition, betrayal, and the price of power," Grover shared.
Directed by Farhan Zamma and produced in collaboration with Amazon MX Player, First Copy is more than just a period drama — it's a cultural snapshot of a time when every film felt like an event, when pirated tapes passed from hand to hand, and when aspiring filmmakers and fans alike lived for cinema even if it came in black plastic sleeves. The creators of the show emphasized that the narrative is not only a crime drama but also a meditation on the shifting value of stories, originality, and accessibility in a world that often blurs moral lines.
Amogh Dusad, Director and Head of Content at Amazon MX Player, called First Copy 'a powerful underdog story set in one of the most cinematic decades of India's cultural history. With Munawar leading the charge, this show brings a fresh, honest voice to storytelling. It reflects how stories shape us, connect us, and sometimes even break us."
First Copy is set to premiere exclusively and for free on Amazon MX Player starting June 20. With a cast that blends new energy with iconic gravitas and a story steeped in real-world nostalgia, the series is expected to strike a chord with both younger audiences and those who grew up during the golden VHS and VCD era.
As the countdown begins, fans of compelling drama, underdog heroes, and old-school cinema vibes have something truly special to look forward to.
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