Scam 2003 - The Telgi Story

The Telgi Story is a gripping, suspenseful, and eye-opening drama that tells the true story of Abdul Karim Telgi, the mastermind behind India's biggest counterfeiting scam. The series is well-made and well-acted, with Gagan Dev Riar giving a star-making turn as Telgi.

The series begins with Telgi's humble beginnings as a small-time salesman. He is a hustler and a dreamer, and he sees an opportunity to make a fortune by counterfeiting stamp paper. He sets up a complex operation and begins to print millions of rupees worth of fake stamps.

At first, Telgi's scam goes undetected. But as he gets more and more ambitious, he starts to attract attention from the authorities. The series follows the cat-and-mouse game between Telgi and the police, as they try to outwit each other.

Scam 2003 is a fascinating and cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and corruption. It is also a reminder that even the most elaborate scams can eventually be brought down.

I don't think the story can be compared to S1 as both took place in different timelines. I agree with most of the reviews that Hansal Mehta should have directed this one. The first part was average and the story gains momentum in the second half. Splitting the episodes and releasing it with months gap was a bad decision. Why cant you makers release all the episodes at once? The second half is really good. The last episode seems fictitious. How did the politicians escape such an obvious scam? Only Telgi and his family members names are real, all the politicians and actors names used in this serial are fictitious. Why!!!! When you want to show true crime, please stick to that.

We can all agree that it is hard to top something like Scam 1992, but this show unfortunately does not meet those standards.

Don't get me wrong, I was quite entertained throughout and was keen to watch the next episode by the end of each one, but there was a different feeling when watching 1992.

The show starts well, with a story that is quite simple to follow, not very technically, but it becomes just political by some point.

1992 was able to balance the scam, politics, and media well together, but this felt off, and the filmy dialogues in this series just remind you of Bhushan Bhatt, tbh.

I don't feel like we see the lavish aspect of the main character when he gets success, unlike Harshad, who got a very expensive high-rise. Nor do I feel the downfall; it just feels meh.

The timeline is kind of all over the place, jumping years just like that didn't really work.

The characters get you thinking who is who, and I'm not convinced by their relationships, unlike 1992, where we can see actual chemistry.

But we can agree that they don't really show much about the scam; they just focus on politics, which isn't that interesting at some point.

See, it was entertaining to watch the show, no doubt, but it doesn't stick with you. Rewatchability is low, unlike 1992, where there isn't much memorable in terms of dialogues.

The environemnt, doesnt really do justice - i forget where i am in the show in terms of location because they dont really give time to showcase the scenery or landmarks.

Sure the scam amount is very large but it doesnt feel "big" enough. 500 cores feels much bigger than it is.

For those who watched 1992, I still recommend you watch this, but you won't get the same satisfaction.

Takes its time to get build up, but quickly gets seriously interesting how the story unfolds.

Mr Gagan has done compelling role and has given full justice to the character, which is not quite easy to portray.

The persona of the protagonist is top notch and is gradually evolved during the series.

Not to be compared with Scam 1 as both the stories are completely different. However, full marks to the actor for his brilliant and honest portrayal of the Telgi.

Specially the last confession was totally unexpected and made the closure perfect and great.

Concludes on a very Genuine note.

Well done !!

In Sir Gagan Dev Riar, we find a true powerhouse of talent who single-handedly elevates this show to remarkable heights. "Proper scam show" indeed, as it offers an exhilarating experience from start to finish. Both the prequel and sequel deserve a solid 9/10 rating, showcasing consistency in their quality.

Gagan sir's performance as TELGI is a standout, as he effortlessly transitions between portraying a kind-hearted character and a formidable villain. His ability to convey both these contrasting personas with finesse adds depth to the narrative. Throughout the five episodes, I found myself thoroughly engaged.

The show's captivating allure is evident right from the first 10 minutes, which skillfully hooks the viewer, compelling them to continue watching. However, it's worth noting that when streaming on the SonyLiv mobile app, there were occasional issues with buffering. Fortunately, the website version provided a smoother viewing experience.

In summary, Sir Gagan Dev Riar's commendable performance, coupled with the show's gripping storyline, makes it a must-watch. Whether you're a fan of his acting prowess or simply enjoy thrilling narratives, this show delivers on all fronts.