: The series is available for streaming exclusively on SonyLIV .
A review of Scam 2003 is incomplete without mentioning its music. Composer Achint Thakkar returns to remix the iconic theme song from Scam 1992 . The electronic, synth-heavy track sets a tone of high-stakes tension.
Before understanding the series, it's essential to know the shocking true story it's based on. Scam 2003 is inspired by Sanjay Singh's book Telgi Scam: Reporter's ki Diary , which details the mind-boggling counterfeit racket that stretched across 18 states and defrauded the nation of an estimated . Scam 2003 The Telgi Story -2023- Web Series
The Indian streaming space changed forever in 2020 when director Hansal Mehta delivered Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story . The series set a gold standard for financial thrillers. In 2023, the creative team returned with a spiritual sequel: Scam 2003: The Telgi Story .
: Directed by Tushar Hiranandani , with Hansal Mehta serving as the showrunner. : The series is available for streaming exclusively
The series relies heavily on character actors to deliver a grounded, realistic atmosphere.
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, directed by Hansal Mehta, brings this incredible true story to life. The series stars Shitij Tripathi as Abdul Karim Telgi, along with an ensemble cast, including Ravi Shukla, Anant Mahadevan, and Kiran Kumar. Through eight gripping episodes, the show meticulously recreates the events leading up to the scam, the cat-and-mouse game between Telgi and the authorities, and the eventual downfall of the con artist. The electronic, synth-heavy track sets a tone of
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within administrative systems. It isn't just a crime drama; it's a character study of a man who believed that "money doesn't have a smell" and that everyone has a price. For viewers interested in the darker side of Indian history and the intersection of crime and politics, this series is a definitive watch on IMDb's top-rated list for 2023. Scam 2003 - The Telgi Story (TV Series 2023) - IMDb
If there is a critique to be leveled at Scam 2003 , it is that it occasionally struggles under the weight of its own sprawling scale. The sheer number of corrupt officials, middlemen, and associates can sometimes confuse the viewer. Furthermore, the series leaves a lingering, unanswered question about Telgi’s ultimate fate and the current state of the stamp paper system, perhaps hinting that the roots of the scam were never truly eradicated, merely digitized.
While critics were almost unanimous in their praise for Gagan Dev Riar's performance, many felt the series lacked the that made the first season a "sensational" success. The pacing was deemed uneven at times, with some reviewers noting that the "intense drama of the first season doesn't build up" in this installment. Some felt the show was "engaging in a decent way" but considered it an interesting standalone watch rather than a worthy follow-up to Scam 1992 . On the review aggregator IMDb, the series received an overall rating of 8.2/10, reflecting its position as a solid biographical financial thriller.