Scam 2003-The Telgi Story review: Counterfeits the mind and brain behind the stamp paper scam on screen to good effect

Of the several financial frauds that India has witnessed in modern times, the stamp paper scam amounting to at least ₹30,000 crore is one of the most important and shocking for various reasons.

Abdul Karim Telgi, the man and his brain behind the multi-crore scam, hailing from a small town called Khanapur in North Karnataka is the epicentre in this brilliantly penned and made biography-cum crime drama — Scam 2003-The Telgi Story.

It is helmed by Hansal Mehta and directed by Tushar Hiranandani.

Hansal Mehta returns to tell the story of another fraudster and his criminal mind after an impressive Scam 1992 thriller series (2020), which was based on Harshad Mehta, the man behind the 1992 Indian Stock Market Scam.

Synopsis

Like Scam 1992, even Scam 2003: The Telgi Story is based on the work of a journalist. The latest one is based on “Telgi Scam: Reporter Ki Diary” by Sanjay Singh.

Also, like Harshad Mehta even Abdul Karim Telgi hailed from a humble background.

His father was an employee with Indian Railways before he passed away when Telgi was still young. He supported himself and his mother along with his younger brother by selling fruits on the train and even managed to complete his graduation.

What circumstances led him to come to Mumbai and realise his biggest dream in life — “Paisa kamana nahi, paisa banana hai (I intend not to earn money but to make money)”.

And, he eventually does it so meticulously that almost goes unnoticed but for his own negligence in the end.

How did Telgi manage to commit such a scam by counterfeiting stamp papers which are printed by the Indian Government Press and are heavily guarded and foolproof from every aspect, and with whose support and the challenges he faced is Scam 2003-The Telgi Story in a nutshell.

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Gagan Dev Riar shines

The foremost impressive part of the web series is the casting and the impressive performances.

To enact a real criminal who is no more and emote his criminal mind is one of the toughest ask for any artist. But Gagan Dev Riar does it effortlessly.

Anyone watching all five episodes at a stretch could feel a sense of real Telgi on screen. Right from the physical appearance to mannerisms and the confidence of a mastermind, Gagan depicts everything close to reality. This role could give any other work of art (acting) a run for their money.

The rest of the cast does great justice in making Telgi a real person on the reel.

The story of India’s biggest stamp paper scam and the man behind it – Abdul Karim Telgi!

Watch Scam 2003 – The Telgi Story, streaming now on Sony LIV.#Scam2003#Scam2003onSonyLIV pic.twitter.com/QY18Wy2hSU

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The P factor

The series sets the tempo with the first episode which opens with Telgi signing a document following which is subjected to a Narco test, popularly known as “Truth Serum”.

The serum is injected to transport the person to a hypnotic state due to which it is scientifically difficult to lie.

Soon, the journey from Khanapur to Mumbai and then to Nashik unfolds in five separate episodes with every single one emphasising the important phases of Telgi’s life and the scam that he commits effortlessly.

The series throws good light on the “P factor”, the nexus between the police, politicians and even the press (authorities running the government printing press) which helped Telgi realise his dream to make money.

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Keeps it realistic

Hansal Mehta and director Tushar realistically present the criminal mind of Telgi as to how he brilliantly persuades others to bring them on board the scam.

His meticulous planning, right from bribing the right person and keeping them happy to cracking the tough one including the most honest person is displayed to near perfection, at least to the imagination of the works it is based on.

Telgi’s honesty in dishonesty is also showcased in this series, which is why many real top players went scot-free in the end.

The other part as a loving husband, father and true partner gives the series an emotional touch to the crime drama.

In a scene, Telgi says, “Main cheetee ki tarah nahi, cheetah ki daudnaa chaahtaa hoon (I do not want to run like an ant but like a Cheetah). Indeed, this series runs like a Cheetah!

Verdict

This series on Telgi’s scam is one of the finest biographies, a crime drama based on a criminal in recent times.

Watch Scam 2003-The Telgi Story for how the system that has been designed to protect and safeguard makes way for such scams to occur, every time!

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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