Scam 2003: The Telgi Story is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language biographical financial thriller streaming television series on SonyLIV directed by Tushar Hiranandani, with Hansal Mehta serving as the co-director.[1][2] Based on a true story of stamped paper counterfeitings committed by Abdul Karim Telgi in early 2000s, the series is inspired from Sanjay Singh's book Telgi Scam: Reporter's ki Diary.[3] It is the second installment in Scam franchise followed by Scam 1992.[4][5][6]

Scam 2003
Genre
Based onTelgi Scam: Reporter's ki Diary
by Sanjay Singh
2003 India Stamp Paper Counterfeiting
Developed byHansal Mehta
Written byKaran Vyas
Kiran Yadnyopavit
Kedar Patankar
Story bySanjay Singh
Directed byTushar Hiranandani
Creative directorTanvi Chheda
Starring
Music byIshaan Chhabra
Country of originIndia
Original languageHindi
No. of seasons1(Available as volume 1 and volume 2)
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producersKartik R. Iyer
Tanvi Chheda
Deepak Segal
ProducerSameer Nair
Production locationIndia
CinematographyStanley Mudda
EditorKunal Walve
Production companiesStudio NEXT
Applause Entertainment
Original release
NetworkSonyLIV
Release1 September 2023 (2023-09-01) –
present

It stars Gagan Dev Riar as the protagonist Abdul Karim Telgi with Mukesh Tiwari, Sana Amin Sheikh, Bharat Jadhav and Shaad Randhawa in pivotal roles.[7][8] The first 5 episodes of the series released on 1 September 2023 via SonyLIV and the remaining 5 released on 5 November 2023.[9][10]

Premise

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It follows the real-life story of Abdul Karim Telgi who was involved in the 2003 stamp paper counterfeiting scandal worth of INR 30,000 crores.[11][12]

Cast

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
Volume 1
1"Paisa Kamaya Nahin Banaya Jata Hain"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit1 September 2023 (2023-09-01)
2"Choomantar"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit1 September 2023 (2023-09-01)
3"Khota Sikka"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit1 September 2023 (2023-09-01)
4"Mubarak Ho Aapko Stamp Paper Hua Hain"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit1 September 2023 (2023-09-01)
5"I Love You"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit1 September 2023 (2023-09-01)
Volume 2
6"Abracadabra"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit3 November 2023 (2023-11-03)
7"Logic Ka Magic"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit3 November 2023 (2023-11-03)
8"Mumbai Ka King"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit3 November 2023 (2023-11-03)
9"Bina Daant Ka Sher"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit3 November 2023 (2023-11-03)
10"Truth Serum"Tushar HiranandaniKaran Vyas and Kiran Yadnyopavit3 November 2023 (2023-11-03)

Production

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Development

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The series was first officially announced on 24 March 2022, by SonyLIV and Applause Entertainment.[13][14]

Filming

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The series officially started filming from April 2022.[15]

Marketing

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On 25 May 2022, SonyLIV first announced the series officially in their YouTube channel.[16] The teaser with a release date was announced on 4 August 2023.[17][18]

Litigation

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In December 2022, Mumbai Court refused to halt the publication of the web series plead by Sana Irfan Talikoti, Telgi's daughter who filed a lawsuit to get a restraining order against the web series' release. Sana has requested an injunction to prevent its distribution, arguing that the project's makers did not have the family's approval before moving forward. Applause Entertainment Pvt Ltd, its director Hansal Mehta, general manager Prasoon Garg, and Sony Liv were all named defendants in the lawsuit.[19]

Sana claims in her lawsuit that the series is based on a book that contained factual errors. She asserted that the web series infringed the family's rights to secrecy, decency, and respect.[20]

Release

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The first part with 5 episodes was released on 1 September 2023 via SonyLIV. The second part with the remaining 5 episodes was released on 3 November 2023.[21]

Reception

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The series received generally positive reviews. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes assigned 67% "fresh" rating based on 6 reviews.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Scam 2003 motion poster unveiled. Hansal Mehta's series on Telgi fake stamp scandal coming soon on SonLiv". India Today. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (4 August 2023). "Hansal Mehta's Scam 2003: The Telgi Story to stream on SonyLIV from September 2; first teaser out! : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Hansal Mehta Shares Deets About Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, Promises Bigger Treat With Season 2". IndiaTimes. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  4. ^ Whittock, Jesse (19 June 2023). "'Scam 2003: The Telgi Story': Sequel Series To SonyLIV's Indian Crime Series 'Scam 1992' Gets Release Date". Deadline. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Hansal Mehta to return with Scam 2003: The Curious Case of Abdul Karim Telgi based on Telgi stamp paper fraud". Hindustan Times. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Scam 2003: The Telgi Story Teaser & release date - Hansal Mehta Chronicles India's Biggest Stamp Paper Fraud". jagrantv. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Scam 2003: Hansal Mehta finds perfect actor to play Telgi in Scam 1992 follow-up". Hindustan Times. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Hansal Mehta's Scam 2003: The Telgi Story to release on this date on Sony LIV". Firstpost. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Hansal Mehta announces Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, says it will stream from September 2". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  10. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (18 June 2023). "Scam 2003: The Telgi Story to premiere on September 2 on Sony LIV : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Hansal Mehta promises intriguing insight into Rs 30,000 crore scam in SonyLIV's Scam 2003 The Telgi Story. Watch teaser". The Indian Express. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Hansal Mehta promises fascinating insight into India's biggest stamp paper fraud in Scam 2003 – The Telgi Story teaser". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  13. ^ Whittock, Jesse (24 May 2022). "SonyLIV Orders 'Scam 1992' Sequel 'Scam 2003: The Telgi Story'; Applause Entertainment Casts Gagan Dev Riar As Counterfit Papers King". Deadline. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Sony LIV announces the release date of 'Scam 2003: The Telgi Story' on its third anniversary". The Hindu. 18 June 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Hansal Mehta's Scam 2003 goes on the floors". The Indian Express. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  16. ^ Scam 2003 | Announcement Teaser | Streaming Soon, retrieved 5 August 2023
  17. ^ "Scam 2003 Teaser: Hansal Mehta Brings Us The Story Of Scamster Abdul Karim Telgi". NDTV.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  18. ^ Scam 2003 – The Telgi Story | Streaming 2nd September | Sony LIV, 4 August 2023, retrieved 5 August 2023
  19. ^ "Court refuses to stop web series based on Telgi case". Hindustan Times. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Mumbai Court Refuses To Stop Release Of Web Series On Stamp Paper Scam Convict Telgi". NDTV.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Scam 2003 Release Date, Cast, Story and Everything". Movie OTT Mart. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Scam 2003: The Telgi Story". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
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