Scam 2003: The Telgi Story Part 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, chronicling the life and crimes of Abdul Karim Telgi, the mastermind behind one of India’s most notorious scams. While the first part of the series had its moments and was anchored by the incredible performance of Gagan Dev Riar and the consistent acting of Sana Sheikh, the second part fails to maintain the same level of engagement and intrigue.
The primary concern with Scam 2003 lies in its departure from Tushar Hirandani’s vision, which initially followed Hansal Mehta’s approach, and instead, the second season appears to adopt a tone reminiscent of a Madhur Bhandarkar film.
One of the major shortcomings of this installment is the lack of balance in storytelling. Just like its predecessor, Scam 2003 skips significant portions of Telgi’s life, leaving the audience feeling disconnected from the character’s journey. The decision to breeze through Telgi’s seven-year stint in the Gulf with just a voiceover is a glaring omission that could have added depth to the narrative. Unlike Scam 1992, which meticulously covered every phase in Harshad Mehta’s life, Scam 2003 falls short in its commitment to portraying the complete picture of Telgi’s story.
Another issue with this series is the perspective from which the story is told. While Scam 1992 had Sucheta Dalal’s character as the narrator, Scam 2003 takes a different approach by narrating the story from Telgi’s perspective, based on Sanjay Singh’s “Telgi Scam: Reporter’s ki Diary.” This choice, while innovative, doesn’t necessarily translate well on screen. It leaves the audience with a feeling of detachment from the real impact and consequences of Telgi’s actions, as it prioritizes his perspective over the victims and investigators.
Moreover, in a time when representation and authenticity matter, it’s quite baffling to see everyone in Abdul’s hometown in Karnataka speaking fluent Hindi. It feels out of place and doesn’t align with the diversity and linguistic richness of India. This decision to make all characters speak Hindi, regardless of their regional background, seems like a missed opportunity to showcase the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country accurately.
The decision to split the series into two parts also hampers the overall viewing experience. While it’s possible that watching the entire series in one go might make it more compelling, it should be noted that Scam 1992 managed to maintain its gripping narrative throughout its run. Scam 2003 doesn’t quite achieve that level of engagement, making it feel like a disjointed and drawn-out affair.
While Gagan Dev Riar’s performance as Abdul Karim Telgi remains a standout element in the series, other performances fall short. Aman Verma’s portrayal of CP Jagdish Suri is particularly disappointing, as it fails to capture the essence of the character effectively. His performance is lackluster and below par, detracting from the overall viewing experience.
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story Part 2 is a letdown compared to its predecessor and fails to maintain the same level of intrigue and engagement. While Gagan Dev Riar’s incredible performance and Sana Sheikh’s consistent acting remain bright spots, they are not enough to redeem the series. The uneven storytelling, the perspective chosen for narration, linguistic inconsistencies, and the lack of balance in portraying Telgi’s life all contribute to a less-than-satisfactory viewing experience. It’s a not-so-good follow-up to Scam 1992 and leaves much to be desired regarding storytelling and execution.