The series begins with Telgi as a young, ambitious man in the 1980s struggling to make a living in Saudi Arabia and later in Bengaluru. After a failed transport business, he discovers a loophole in the stamp paper supply chain. Using his sharp understanding of human greed, he forges stamp paper by bribing officials at a government printing press in Nashik, Maharashtra.
: Premiered on September 1, 2023, focusing on Telgi's rise and the establishment of his empire.
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language biographical financial thriller web series that serves as the second installment in the Scam franchise, following the successful Scam 1992 . The series is directed by Tushar Hiranandani, with Hansal Mehta serving as the co-director and showrunner. Series Overview
While Hansal Mehta serves as the showrunner, directing duties were handed to Tushar Hiranandani. Hiranandani successfully retains the signature aesthetic established in Scam 1992 while carving out a distinct visual identity for Scam 2003 . Writing and Dialogues Scam 2003 The Telgi Story -2023- Web Series
: Riar delivers a powerhouse, breakout performance. He perfectly captures Telgi’s charm, desperation, and growing hubris without over-glamorizing the criminal.
Sony LIV Release Date: September 1, 2023 (Hindi) with dubs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Runtime: 10 episodes (approx. 45-50 minutes each).
The supporting cast is equally stellar. Shreya Dhanwanthary, who played Sucheta Dalal in Scam 1992 , returns in a different but equally sharp role. Sana Amin Sheikh delivers a poignant performance as Telgi’s wife, Zubeida, who oscillates between willful ignorance and horrifying realization. The series begins with Telgi as a young,
Gagan Dev Riar delivers a powerhouse, career-defining performance as Abdul Karim Telgi. He captures Telgi’s complex persona with nuance—portraying him simultaneously as a doting family man, a smooth-talking salesman, a manipulative criminal mastermind, and a tragic figure consumed by his own ambition. Riar’s physical transformation and vocal modulation lend immense authenticity to the character.
While Hansal Mehta serves as the showrunner, Tushar Hiranandani takes the director's chair for Scam 2003 . Hiranandani maintains the fast-paced, gritty aesthetic established by the franchise. The biggest triumph of the series is its casting:
The production design meticulously recreates late 1980s and 1990s India. From the crowded streets of Mumbai to outdated government printing presses, the visuals rely on muted tones and realistic settings that mirror the dark underbelly of the bureaucracy. Signature Music : Premiered on September 1, 2023, focusing on
Following the massive success of Scam 1992 , the "Scam" franchise returned in 2023 with a new chapter that shifted focus from the stock market to the world of counterfeit stamp papers. is a biographical financial thriller that chronicles the life of Abdul Karim Telgi, a man who orchestrated one of India's most ingenious and expansive frauds. The Premise: From Fruit Seller to Kingpin
Riar delivers a masterclass in acting. He captures Telgi's charm, vulnerability, and growing paranoia perfectly. He physically transforms for the role, capturing the body language of a man weighed down by his own secrets.