Movie Review : Scam 2003 The Telgi Story

Cast: Gagan Dev Riar, Sana Amin Shaikh, Mukesh Tiwari, Talat Aziz, Bharat Jadhav and Shaad Randhawa

Writers: Sanjay Singh, Karan Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit

Director: Tushar Hiranandani

Producer: Studio Next and Applause Entertainment

Release : 1 September 2023

Rating : 3/5

In the 'lovely stories' of crime, those stories which are related to big scams arouse different interest. Crimes like theft, robbery, murder, robbery etc. are violent. In economic crime, the one who thinks about it has less hands and feet and more mind. Hansal Mehta has gradually mastered the art of developing his own cinema in Hindi cinema. After his series 'Scam 1992', which made Pratik Gandhi a popular face in the entertainment world overnight, something similar seems to be happening with its lead actor Gagan Dev Riar in 'Scam 2003'. Generally in Hindi web series these days, stories are being explored only for the sake of telling the story, whereas Hansal Mehta is exploring the human aspects of real events and telling such stories, which can be called a big victory in itself.

Fruit seller's mumbai turned upside down

The stamp paper scam has been the most popular among the popular scams of the country because it dented the coffers of the government instead of the common man. A young man from Karnataka, who is selling fruits by reciting various phrases in the train, is noticed by a Seth from Mumbai. Reason? The paper he is using to wrap the fruit is a photocopy of this young man's B.Com degree. Mumbai, the city of dreams, beckons her. From here he also goes to Dubai. He feels that the business of sending youths to Dubai on fake papers can do well. But, he is caught. He finds a companion in jail. Together, both work together to sell used receipt tickets and then they understand that this is not a chokha business, it is a business in which one has to do some 'daring' to go up.

The support of every business, the leader is yours and ours

The web series ‘Scam 2003 The Telgi Story’ starts from where the narco test of Abdul Karim Telgi is going on. The meaning of what he says in English is, 'The support of every business, the leader is yours, ours'. The formula of this whole messy scam is hidden in this one line. The country has been full of Telgis who destroy the system by taking help from it and are still there. No big financial scam can happen without political support, this is the essence of this web series. Its meaning is that this series will be remembered for years for its dialogues and Telugu based Gagan Dev Riyar. A glimpse of the template that Hansal Mehta has prepared for his web series and films is also visible here. It also seems like a matter of repetition but if Hansal is there, then a belief remains in the mind of the viewer that even though it may take time, the fruits of patience will definitely be sweet.

Tushar becomes Hansal's Eklavya

Hansal Mehta is the creator of the web series 'Scam 2003 The Telgi Story'. The series is directed by Tushar Hiranandani of Saand Ki Aankh fame. Tushar has made his development in the direction of this series like Eklavya. The blocking of frames, the panning of the camera, the skill of capturing the emotions of the characters are all Hansal Mehta like. The color template of the entire series has also been kept in such a way that while showing the Mumbai of 20 years, 40 years ago, the matter should not seem awkward. Tushar's direction makes this series interesting. Though the screenplay takes a while to bring the story into motion but the ease with which the vehicle moves in first gear, the engine is equally smooth when it comes to full speed is the triumph of the first five episodes of this series. The other five episodes will be aired next month. 

100 number to Gagan Dev Riar 

The casting of the web series 'Scam 2003 The Telgi Story' is also his life. The simplicity and ease with which Gagan Dev Riar has played the character of Abdul Karim Telgi from his youth to adulthood, without any pomp or hypocrisy, is a school of acting. Acting is about living the character. It is not easy to imbibe another real persona but Gagan has done it and for this he is sure to get all the OTT Awards next year. Shaad Randhawa's energy is here to support them. Sana is the youth of Amin Sheikh. Talat Aziz has faith and Mukesh Tiwari has hypnosis. The icing on the cake is the background music of the web series 'Scam 2003 The Telgi Story' which Hansal Mehta has straight lifted from 'Scam 1992'.