Remember the biographical drama Scam 1992 based on stockbroker Harshad Mehta? Helmed by Hansal Mehta, the web series took the Internet by storm soon after its release in 2020 as the audience went crazy. What a masterpiece it was!
Witnessing the grand success of Scam 1992, Hansal Mehta decided to step in with its follow-up titled Scam 2003:The Telgi Story. But, who will be the titular character for the follow-up season? Well, the upcoming season, will introduce you to the story of Abdul Karim Telgi, the stamp paper scam kingpin.
Who was Abdul Karim Telgi?
Abdul Karim Telgi was a fruit-seller in Karnataka, Khanapur. His parents used to work with the Indian railways. After his father passed away, he was forced to start working for a living. While taking care of his family, he did not stop studying and financed his education.Later, he left for Saudi Arabia. He returned to Mumbai soon and started working as a travel agent. He began selling fake immigration clearance documents for labourers who wanted to work in Gulf countries. He was arrested on charges of forgery and cheating in 1991. After he was released, he got involved in another racket.
Telgi started forging stamp papers as they were essential during that time. Because of the short supply and great demand, he started earning profits. Soon, he got hold of the old machines that were sold off at auctions. These machines were decommissioned by Nashik Security Press. Telgi sold them for ₹100 a stamp paper.
He continued this for 6-7 years. From people to banks, brokerage companies and insurance companies, everyone became his customer. Along with fake stamp papers, he made judicial court fee stamps, notarial stamps, etc.
The racket subsisded only with the support of police officials. Some police officials were also arrested in the stamp racket case.
He was arrested in 2001 and was sentenced to 30 years in jail in 2007. In 2002, he tested positive for HIV. He died of multiple organ failure in 2017. Interestingly, a year after his death, he was acquitted by the Nashik sessions court as there was not enough evidence against him.
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story
A new teaser for the upcoming series has been released. Gagan Dev Riar will play the titular role in Telgi. Sharing the video, Hansal wrote on Instagram, “Telgi has been found. Presenting the very talented Gagan Dev Riar as Abdul Telgi. #Scam2003.”
Gagan is popular among his fans for his roles in Abhishek Chaubey’s ‘Sonchiriya’ and Mira Nair’s ‘A Suitable Boy’. Netizens praised the ‘perfect’ casting by Mukesh Chhabra in the comments section of Hansal’s post. “Perfect casting jab se series announced hui me yahi soch raha tha kaun hain aisa actor jo aisa dikh bh iske aur behtareen performance bhi de ske, Gagan Dev (Since the series was announced, I was wondering who could be the actor who looks like Telgi and can also perform well),” wrote a fan. “This actor! Finally Gagan bhai will receive his due,” wrote another person.
It is yet to be witnessed if the upcoming follow-up of Scam 1992 will do any justice to the original one. While Abdul Karim Telgi’s scam is no less than Harshad Mehta’s, it would be interesting to see whether the audience will shower its love on the next season or not.