I can find about his preparation for the role.
The initial episodes of Part 1 meticulously chart his rise from a resourceful fruit seller on moving trains in Khanapur to a small-time travel agent in Saudi Arabia, and eventually to the architect of a counterfeit empire. Telgi’s defining trait is his understanding of absolute necessity. He realizes early on that while India runs on bureaucracy, bureaucracy runs on stamped paper. By capitalizing on the chronic shortage of official stamp papers, Telgi did not just find a gap in the market—he created an alternate supply chain. Themes of Ambition, Systemic Corruption, and Bureaucracy
Telgi smiled, a flash of teeth that didn't quite reach his eyes. "The system was never trustworthy, Sir. I’m just making it... affordable."
The decision to split Season 1 into two parts received mixed reactions from audiences. Part 1 focuses entirely on the rise of the empire. While this allows the writers to detail the mechanics of the fraud without rushing, it also means the narrative lacks the high-stakes tension of an active investigation. The five episodes serve primarily as a prologue to the inevitable downfall, causing the pacing to slow down slightly in the middle episodes. Technical Elements: Music and Writing Scam 2003 The Telgi Story Season 1 Part 1 Hindi...
Realizing that the real money lies in systemic loopholes, Telgi identifies a massive deficit in the supply of government stamp papers. Part 1 meticulously chronicles how Telgi obtains a license to sell stamp papers, subverts the security measures of the Central Government Press in Nashik, and purchases discarded printing machinery. By printing flawless counterfeit stamp papers, he creates a parallel economy, systematically bribing police officers, politicians, and bureaucrats to scale his illicit empire. Performance Highlights: Gagan Dev Riar's Masterclass
The Return of India’s Biggest Scam Franchise The massive success of Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story set a towering benchmark for Indian biographical crime dramas. Three years later, Applause Entertainment and SonyLIV returned with Scam 2003: The Telgi Story . Directed by Tushar Hiranandani and helmed by showrunner Hansal Mehta, Season 1 Part 1 of this highly anticipated series shifts its focus from the chaotic stock market of Mumbai to the calculated, bureaucratic world of counterfeit stamp papers. Spanning five gripping episodes, Part 1 chronicles the meteoric rise of Abdul Karim Telgi, the mastermind behind an estimated ₹30,000 crore empire. The Plot: From Fruit Vendor to Financial Mastermind
Highlights of the and turning points in the show. Share public link I can find about his preparation for the role
Upon its release, "Scam 2003: The Telgi Story" received generally . However, the show's connection to its legendary predecessor invited inevitable comparisons.
When Sony LIV released Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story , it set a gold standard for financial thrillers in India. The bar was so high that audiences wondered if director Hansal Mehta and the writing team could replicate the magic. In 2023, they answered with Scam 2003: The Telgi Story —a gritty, terrifying, and brilliantly crafted sequel to India's financial crimes.
The Hindi version of Scam 2003 features a strong ensemble cast, with Gagan Dev Riar delivering a transformative performance as Telgi. The show is noted for its realistic production design, gritty cinematography, and a gripping background score by Sameer Phaterpekar. While it didn’t achieve the same cult status as Scam 1992 , critics praised Part 1 for its detailed storytelling and its unflinching look at a scam that affected every Indian who ever bought a property or signed a legal document. He realizes early on that while India runs
Gagan Dev Riar’s portrayal of Telgi makes the series deeply engaging.
The investigation led to the arrest of several people, including Telgi, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The investigation also revealed that the scam was much larger than initially thought, and it involved several other countries.