Bambai Meri Jaan

Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, Bambai Meri Jaan is a 10 episodes web series with 30-50 minutes running time.

It depicts the life span of Dara Kadri (Avinash Tiwary), the D Company founder, from his childhood days till he leaves for Dubai to escape his arrest warrant by Mumbai Police.

Ismail Kadri (Kay Kay Menon), an honest and devout Mumbai cop turned gangster Haji's (Saurabh Sachdeva) accomplice turned spiritual recluse, plays his father and narrator of the series.

Kay Kay has a crucial role and he has played it brilliantly, mostly with stoic silence and one liners. His acting in the series is beautifully layered and perhaps the best of his acting career!!

The web series has multiple important characters and all have been casted wonderfully and enacted effectively. In fact their combined acting prowess has surpassed the storyline and script!

The entire series is embedded with Mumbaiya expletives and at one point the blood and gore becomes too much to handle.

Overall, the series is familiar, engaging, entertaining and well edited with top class production design.

For those who read the book of this famous writer Hussain Zaidi, knows exactly what happened in early 80's and 90's in bombay. This series holds up a strong grip on those real life incidents and events that took place in underwood era. From money extortion to Rolex watch scammers that used to took place at that time was exactly happened in real life at that time by very own "D". Kay Kay memon excelled in his role, almost a show stealer but Ohh boy what a performance by Avinash Tiwary, who manages to hold the script around himself and delivered a glass shattering performance of the one and only.

This isnt the first attempt at narrating the story of the Mumbai Underworld. Also like all the previous efforts this one tries hard to glorify, glamorise, and even justify the famous Dcompany from even before its inception. The casting was good, although M. Surve's character was either made to look like a joker or it was just poor direction. One way or the other the feared M. Surve was a force to reckon in real life while the one presented here was really week and almost comical. The Shining knight as expected and delivered was KK Menon. The man simply wears the skin he is given and hardly ever fails to make you believe whatever it is that he intends to. D's Daddy stole the show for me cause amidst all the action and drama I was looking forward to his next scenes. Mr. Tiwary has truly stepped forward and has tried to own the character which so many others before him have only managed to stereotype. One of the better versions of D I admit to have seen over the years.

Its definitely engaging and worth a watch, but could have been so much more if the plot were not twisted to this extent. Zaidi's fascination with D and his fairy tales are not new to the audience who is going to watch this genre and subject. Nevertheless as someone grown up it the 70's and 80's it always feels intoxicating to watch what we left behind.

"In 'Bambai Meri Jaan,' the Mumbai underworld takes center stage as we delve into the intriguing life of mafia don Dawood Ibrahim. This series masterfully uncovers the origins and growth of underworld gangs in Bombay, offering a detailed and immersive experience.

The narrative also follows the journey of Ismail Khadri as he's transferred to Bombay, dedicating four episodes to his family's complex dynamics. These emotional scenarios and character relationships add depth to the storyline, making for a captivating watch. Witness the transformation of KK Menon's character, Ismail Khadri, and his remarkable portrayal of emotional scenes.

Hussain Zaidi's rendition of Dawood Ibrahim adds a layer of intrigue, keeping the audience engaged with well-paced action sequences and profound emotional depth. Episodes 5, 6, and 7 shed light on Dawood's evolution into a mafia don, exploring the dynamics between him, his brother Sadiq, and sister Habiba. The series doesn't shy away from the emotional complexities in Dawood's relationship with his mother Sakina.

KK Menon's outstanding performance as Ismail Khadri continues to shine in the portrayal of family dynamics, adding depth to the Khadri family's emotional turmoil and relationships. 'Bambai Meri Jaan' is a fresh take on the Mumbai mafia empire, unraveling the enigma of how Dawood Ibrahim became one of the world's most wanted criminals.

In the tumultuous backdrop of 1965 Bombay, "Bambai Meri Jaan" unravels a gripping narrative of Ismail Kadri, a principled police officer and devoted family man. Tasked with exposing the dark alliance between underworld kingpins Haji and Pathan, Ismail's unwavering integrity faces relentless challenges. Simultaneously, he grapples with domestic turmoil, particularly disciplining his son, Dara. An unexpected crisis ensues when Ismail's brother-in-law accidentally kills a fellow officer, leading to Ismail's expulsion from the police force.

Struggling to provide for his family post-dismissal, the weight of poverty begins to shape Dara's perspective. Haji tightens his grip on Ismail, eventually forming a trio of criminal overlords with Anna. Fast forward to 1977, and Dara emerges as a formidable rival, sparking a personal feud with the Pathan gang that escalates into a blood-soaked vendetta.

Dara's pursuit of vengeance leads to alliances with Dubai Sheikhs, giving birth to the notorious D-Company. As his empire expands, family tensions rise, and a revenge-fueled Pathan threatens to dismantle everything. A ruthless war unfolds, resulting in brutal showdowns, and Dara's ultimate sacrifice - leaving his family under the care of his sister, Habiba, as he ventures into an uncertain future in Dubai. "Bambai Meri Jaan" is an unrelenting journey through Mumbai's underbelly, where loyalty, betrayal, and revenge shape destinies, birthing the empire.