Scam 2003: The Telgi Story Review: Hansal Mehta brings a strong and compelling story with a slow narrative

Film:
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story

Platform: SonyLIV

Episodes: 5

Directors: Tushar Hiranandani & Hansal Mehta

Starcast: Gagan Dev Riar, Sana Amin Sheikh

Duration: 50 minutes (per episode)

Scam 2003: The Telgi Story review

One good thing about web shows is the finite format they carry in storytelling, especially, when the tale is about a financial thriller. Showrunner Hansal Mehta’s sequel to Scam 1992, Scam 2003: The Telgi Story starring Gagan Dev Riar is quite a hooking story. While it seems that Hansal has perfected the art of telling stories on notorious Indian scams, with this one too the team has done a brilliant job. However, the end result seems a little half-baked. But it doesn’t falter at the direction or acting level, but more at a storytelling level I feel.

In the first two episodes of Scam 2003, it looks like the makers have taken their own sweet time in telling the story, the build-up to the big idea, the scam is very delayed, and it only puts off the viewer. But yes, what I totally loved is how the makers have retained the theme music of Scam 1992 in this one as well. That just adds a different vibe to what you are about to witness. Even Abdul Karim Telgi’s character portrayal has been done in a simple manner, he isn’t glorified, which is good.

Story of Scam 2003

Scam 2003: The Telgi Story is based on the notorious stamp paper fraud in India. It traces the real-life story of Abdul Karim Telgi who pulled off a financial scandal amounting to Rs 30000 crores. While the series has been inspired by a book on the same topic, it is said to have some factual errors as the Telgi family. The series on the other hand chronicles the adulthood journey of a graduate fruit vendor who comes to Mumbai to make it big and ends up making it so big, that it leaves a hole burned in the Government’s pocket amounting to thousands of crores.

Highlights of Scam 2003

1. Gagan Dev Riar aka Abdul Karim Telgi

The actor who plays the lead role has to be someone who looks like an underdog. Not trying to be judgemental, but Gagan fits the bill quite well. To top that the performance he has delivered is so earnest. The best part of on-screen Mr Telgi is that he hasn’t gone overboard or gotten carried away in playing the mastermind behind the scandal. This is what has actually worked greatly in Gagan’s favor. All in all, his performance holds the story together very well, so surely a pat on the back for him.

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2. The story and dialogues

One risk in stories based on real life is that one has to be careful with creative liberty. And the makers have been vigilant about it. It is a strong, power-packed story, and what makes it even more hard-hitting are the dialogues. The punchlines and one-liners given to Gagan’s character are so good that they will grow on you.

Drawbacks of Scam 2003

1. The Storytelling

While we say that Scam 2003 has a compelling story, the problem is in the way it is told. There are places where establishing the character arcs is unnecessarily dragged. As I mentioned, the build-up is at a baby-step speed which will eventually make you yawn, so probably the makers could have chosen a stronger aspect, or reduced the episode lengths to make the impact even harder for the story.

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Conclusion

Scam 2003 definitely is a nail-biting tale. You might get bored in parts but will definitely want to know the story till the end. It will keep you engrossed throughout and may make you finish it in one go. So do watch it!

Also Read: Hansal Mehta gives a peek into son Jai Mehta directed web series Lootere-WATCH