The show chronicles the meteoric rise and inevitable fall of , a man who transformed from a simple fruit seller at a railway station into the mastermind behind a ₹30,000 crore counterfeiting empire. It’s based on the book Telgi Scam: Reporter’s Ki Diary by Sanjay Singh, the journalist who broke the story. 🌟 Cast & Key Players
The series is adapted from Sanjay Singh's book "Telgi Scam: Reporter's ki Diary". Directed by Tushar Hiranandani with Hansal Mehta as showrunner, the first five episodes premiered on , with the remaining five following on 5 November 2023 . The series was produced by Applause Entertainment and SonyLIV's Studio NEXT with a reported budget of approximately ₹35 crore. SonyLIV also dubbed the series into Telugu and made it available with free ad-supported streaming options.
For viewers who watch it, the series leaves a lingering question: every time you sign a property deed, pay a registration fee, or file an affidavit… how do you really know the paper is real?
The narrative follows the journey of Abdul Karim Telgi from a humble fruit seller at Khanapur railway station in Karnataka to a calculated criminal enterprise mogul. Driven by intense ambition, Telgi moves to Mumbai and transitions into the travel and document forgery business. scam 2003 the telgi story 2023 web series top
Following the monumental success of Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story , SonyLIV and director Hansal Mehta returned in 2023 with another gripping biographical financial thriller: Scam 2003: The Telgi Story . This installment shifts the spotlight from the chaotic stock market of Mumbai to a systematic, nationwide counterfeiting operation that shook the very foundations of India's financial system.
A critical early ally in Mumbai who introduces Telgi to the inner workings of local bureaucratic loopholes. Suryapratap Gehlot
If you're a fan of Indian web series or enjoy stories of true crime and deception, Scam 2003: The Telgi Story is a must-watch. Here are a few reasons why: The show chronicles the meteoric rise and inevitable
He eventually identifies a massive loophole in the Indian financial system: the legal stamp paper market. By acquiring a legal stamp paper vending license and using sophisticated printing machinery purchased from government auctions, Telgi starts printing highly accurate counterfeit stamp papers. Over a decade, his operation expands across 18 states, fueled by systemic corruption involving high-ranking politicians, bureaucrats, and police officers. The second half of the series focuses on the unraveling of his empire due to intense journalistic investigations and the relentless pursuit of dedicated law enforcement task forces. 🌟 Top Reasons to Watch 1. Masterful Performance by Gagan Dev Riar
While both series fall under the same franchise, they offer different viewing experiences: Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story Scam 2003: The Telgi Story Harshad Mehta (Stock Market Scam) Abdul Karim Telgi (Stamp Paper Scam) Focus Financial Markets & Greed Corruption, Counterfeiting & Influence Tone Fast-paced, Glitzy Gritty, Political, Methodical Platform 4. Why You Should Watch It
A detailed comparison of the between the 1992 stock scam and the 2003 stamp paper scam. Directed by Tushar Hiranandani with Hansal Mehta as
The series does not romanticize Telgi’s downfall. It comes not from a master detective, but from a small-time police sub-inspector in Karnataka, Shivanand Math (played with quiet dignity by Soham Majumdar). Math, while investigating a minor extortion case, seizes a few suspicious stamp papers. When he sends them for forensic testing, the truth explodes.
The strongest asset of the series is undoubtedly . Stepping into the shoes of a character previously played by a seasoned veteran like Mukesh Tirki (in Rangbaaz ) was no small feat, yet Riar makes Telgi his own.
: Directed by Tushar Hiranandani , with Hansal Mehta serving as the showrunner and co-director. Plot & True Story