7 must-watch films for a deep dive into Mumbai's dark underworld!

Often dubbed the city of dreams, Mumbai has been the setting for countless movies on a range of themes. From rom coms to crime thrillers, the city has offered filmmakers a malleable canvas to narrate stories that evoke a diverse spectrum of emotions. A popular motif among films set in the metropolis would be to relay the dark underbelly of the city and the gruesome crimes committed by some singularly sinister characters who lurk the city’s shadowy corners. The ‘Mumbai underworld’, as it is often dubbed, has captivated storytellers and filmmakers for decades, carving out a cinematic legacy of its own. So if you're a fan of crime, betrayal, and all things morally grey, then buckle up, because we've got seven such must-watch films that take you straight into the heart of Mumbai's mafia scene.

Satya

First up, we've got Satya (1998). Directed by the legendary Ram Gopal Varma and penned by the brilliant Anurag Kashyap, this film is the quintessential entry point into Mumbai’s underworld. It follows Satya, a guy who’s new to the city but quickly finds himself caught in a web of crime and vengeance after being wrongfully accused. With standout performances by J.D. Chakravarthi and Manoj Bajpayee, Satya is a gritty, no-holds-barred look at the city’s dark side. Fun fact: British director Danny Boyle watched Satya to capture Mumbai’s vibe before making Slumdog Millionaire. Fancy a watch? You can catch this gripping noir classic on SonyLiv.

Black Friday

Next on our list is Black Friday (2004), directed by—you guessed it—Anurag Kashyap. This one's a bit different; it’s based on the real-life events of the 1993 Bombay serial bomb blasts. The film digs deep into the investigations, showing us the many layers of political and criminal intrigue. It’s got everything—tension, drama, and some seriously intense performances from Kay Kay Menon, Pawan Malhotra, and Aditya Srivastav. Oh, and did I mention it was banned in India for two years? You can catch this gem on Hotstar.

Nayakan

Now, if you’re up for something truly epic, Nayakan (1987) is the film for you. Directed by Mani Ratnam, this classic stars Kamal Haasan as Velu Naicker, a man who rises from a commoner seeking revenge to becoming a powerful don in Mumbai. While it is never officially confirmed by the makers, Nayakan is said to be loosely based on the life of the infamous Mumbai gangster Varadarajan Mudaliar. The film is a masterclass in storytelling, and Haasan’s performance is nothing short of iconic as the eponymous lead. So it’s hardly surprising that Nayakan even made it to Time Magazine’s list of the top 100 films of all time in 2005. Seriously, if you haven’t watched it yet, get on Amazon Prime Video right now—you’re in for a treat.

Company

Switching gears, the next on our list is Company (2002), another Ram Gopal Varma directorial. This time, he teams up with Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi to bring us the story of two small-time crooks who rise through the ranks to become major players in the Mumbai underworld and how their ambitions fragment their relationship as they drift apart. No prizes for guessing that the film borrows its name from infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s crime syndicate which was dubbed by the media as ‘D-Company’. You can stream Company on Zee5.

Ab Tak Chhappan

Then there’s Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), directed by Shimit Amin. This one stars Nana Patekar as Inspector Sadhu Agashe, a no-nonsense encounter specialist with the Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch. The title, which means "56 and Counting," gives you a hint about Agashe’s ongoing battle against crime and his current score of hits. With a gripping plot and stellar performances, this film gives you an inside look into the lives of encounter specialists in Mumbai’s crime-fighting landscape. This one’s a must-watch for Nana Patekar’s flawless portrayal of a cop with a serious vendetta. You can watch this intense thriller on SonyLiv, Prime Video and YouTube!

Parinda

We can't talk about Mumbai’s underworld without mentioning Parinda (1989), directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. This film follows Kishen, played by Jackie Shroff, as he seeks revenge after his friend is murdered by gangsters. But things get complicated when he finds out his own brother is mixed up in the crime syndicate. Parinda is known for its realistic portrayal of the underworld and had a huge influence on filmmakers such as Ram Gopal Varma. Head over to Amazon Prime Video to stream Parinda right now.

Vaastav

And finally, we have Vaastav: The Reality (1999), directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Starring Sanjay Dutt as Raghunath Shivalkar, this film takes us on a dark and gritty journey as he gets sucked into the Mumbai underworld after a tragic accident. With powerful performances from the entire cast, Vaastav is a raw and unfiltered look at crime in the city, inspired by none other than Al Pacino's Scarface. You can catch this hard-hitting drama on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Well that's all for this episode folks, until the next it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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Written by Apurva Dutta

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