Release Date : November 03, 2023
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring: Gagan Dev Riar, Dinesh Lal Yadav, Mukesh Tiwari, Sana Amin Sheikh, Nikhil Ratnaparkhi, Aman Verma, and others
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Producer: Applause Entertainment, Studio NEXT
Music Director: Ishaan Chhabra
Cinematographer: Stanley Mudda
Editor: Kunal Walve
Related Links : Trailer
Scam 2003, directed by Tushar Hiranandani, is based on the 2003 Stamp Paper Counterfeiting scandal worth 30,000 crores. The makers got inspired by the book Telgi Scam: Reporter’s Ki Diary. Gagan Dev Riar played Abdul Karim Telgi, the man who committed this scam. The makers have dropped the new season on Sony LIV, and let’s see how it is.
Story:
Abdul Karim Telgi (Gagan Dev Riar) gets into the limelight after he spends huge money on a bar dancer. This incident makes everyone understand how affluent Telgi is. Politicians and Police officers who help Telgi start demanding more and more money to protect him. Telgi agrees to it, but little does he know that they are trying to make him a scapegoat. A famous Karnataka star gets kidnapped, and the kidnappers demand a lump sum from the government. Upon the request of the government, Abdul arranges the money. But a few honest officers become a neck in the pain for Telgi.
Plus Points:
Stamp paper scam is not as famous as the Harshad Mehta Scam, but the subject matter indeed has enormous potential, and the makers have explored that. While the first volume showcases how Abdul Telgi built his empire, the second installment depicts his downfall. How politicians and a few police officials tried to make Telgi a scapegoat is depicted well.
Volume 2 emphasizes more on the personal side and family angle of Telgi. The emotions weren’t that great in the first season, but here, the emotions worked pretty well. Especially the scenes involving Gagan Dev Riar and Sana Aman Sheikh came out well. Sana Aman Sheikh’s character says a nice dialogue that the criminals are unknowingly affecting their families, which is very much true.
The first three episodes were pretty engaging. Coming to actors, Gagan Dev Riar has once again hit it out of the park with his impactful and subtle performance. Gagan is too good in the emotional scenes, and he is undoubtedly the backbone of Scam 2003. After Gagan, it is Mukesh Tiwari who grabs the eyeballs with his solid performance. Sana Aman Sheikh is apt in her role.
Minus Points:
There is no doubt that the team has put a lot of effort into the research. But there is ambiguity as far as few developments are concerned. A few events are difficult to follow through, and hence, the show becomes confusing at times.
After a good start, the pacing gets slow in the last two episodes. They are also dragged a bit. Famous Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav is part of this second season. Though he performs neatly, his character isn’t etched well. The ending lacks the punch.
Technical Aspects:
The music by Ishaan Chhabra is decent. Cinematographer Stanley did a neat job. The jail sets were well-designed. The editing in the last couple of episodes could have been better. The production values are nice.
Director Tushar Hiranandani did a decent job with Volume 2. While the first three episodes were captivating, the ending lacked the desired impact. However, the makers deserve appreciation for making a show on a subject that is hardly known to the public.
Verdict:
On the whole, Scam 2003 Volume 2 starts on a good note, but it has an ordinary ending. The good storyline is nicely complemented by the solid performance of Gagan Dev Riar. However, there are a few portions that create slight confusion, and they could have been handled better. Though the show isn’t a great one, it is still watchable for its powerful subject and interesting moments.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
Click here for season 1 review