SCAM 1992 (2020) : Review

Scam 1992(2020) directed by Hansal Mehta 

Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Rajat Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Ananth Mahadevan, Shreya Dhanwantari, Shadaab Khan, Nikhil Dwivedi, Mamik Harmeet, K K Raina, Lalit Parimoo, and others. 

Ten episodes long , averaging 52 minutes each episode, what would be your reaction at the end? Exhausted? Not in this case. It’s a fulfilling experience to relish these longish episodes and feel hungry for more after it ends. By far the most perfect web series made in India. 

Adapted from the book “The Scam” authored by renowned journalist Sucheta Dalal, it’s a biographical account of one of the most intriguing and influential personalities in the history of Indian financial scams, Harshad Mehta! Chronicling his rise from a chawl to high rise Bombay lifestyle, it showcases the intricate details of how he as a common man with an uncommon grit and intellectual manipulated the stock market in the 80s and early 90s leading to the expose of the infamous scam 1992. 

Also labelled as Amitabh Bachchan of Dalal Street and big bull, Harshad’s meteoric rise to the riches and eventual downfall are the best possible case studies one can project on to understand the psyche of a man blessed with a staggering predictability trait and distinguishable charm, both used destructively. Thankfully the director Hansal Mehta does not glorify Harshad as a hero, he’s projected the way he was- grey. Full marks to Hansal Mehta for such a brilliant depiction of facts from the 80s and 90s Bombay and having the guts to name the names unlike some white washed biographies of Bollywood. 

Pratik as Harshad Mehta is a revelation! What an outstanding performance, right from his dialogue delivery, body language, to his charisma and the chutzpah with which he plays the role so effortlessly, it is perfect casting, had the director cast his favourite actor Rajkumar Rao then the effect may not have been this impressive because Pratik lands a fresh, virgin relatability to the character which a popular actor may have failed to do. Considering it’s an ensemble cast there are several brilliant artists who perform with great conviction but Rajat Kapoor nails it hard in his no nonsense role, simply brilliant. 

Considering the length, the canvas and a sensitive subject therein, the director could’ve easily gone off key after a point but the narrative is so engaging and gripping that he successfully holds the viewer’s attention and interest right to the finale episode. Recreation of 80s and 90s Bombay/ mumbai couldn’t have been implemented any better, even the dialogues have that paisa vasool quality about them. Also the inclusion of 90s obscure melodies like ‘Zindagi Hai Ek Jua’ from Zindagi Ek Jua(1993) and ‘Ek Raaz Hai Mere Seene Mein’ from Zakhmon Ka Hisaab(1994) prominently placed at important junctures in the story. 

Even with an incisive eagle eye using microscopic lenses you can’t figure out any drawbacks in this brilliantly directed web series, must watch to savour the delicious platter of excellent film making. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️