8 movies based on real-life gangsters

Shramana Kar

Films on real gangsters

Numerous movies have been inspired by the lives of real gangsters, and have portrayed their rise and fall. Just like Denzel Washington's portrayal of Frank Lucas, the drug lord, in American Gangster. Check out the films:

Company (ZEE5)

This film is loosely based on the life of Dawood Ibrahim, the underworld don. The narrative showcases the rift between Dawood Ibrahim and his protege Chhota Rajan. It stars Ajay Devgn and Mohanlal.

American Gangster (JioCinema)

Denzel Washington portrays Frank Lucas, the notorious drug lord from the 1960s and 1970s. The film shows the rise of Lucas, and how he gets chased by detective Roberts.

Haseena Parkar (ZEE5)

Shraddha Kapoor is seen in the role of Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar, who faced 88 cases of extortion and was named as part of Ibrahim's D-Company.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (Hotstar)

This Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi-starrer is loosely based on the lives of Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim. The story shows their feud as they seek to dominate the metropolitan city.

Goodfellas (Prime Video)

This film is inspired by the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), an American mobster, from 1955 to 1980. The film was adapted from crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi's book, Wiseguy.

Public Enemies (JioCinema)

Johnny Depp is seen portraying the role of John Dillinger, the notorious gangster, who was known as 'Public Enemy no.1'. The film follows the pursuit of him by FBI agent Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale.

Casino (JioCinema)

This film, starring Robert De Niro, is based on gangster Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal, who learned sports betting during childhood, and worked with the Chicago Outfit, the Italian-American Mafia family.

Nayakan (Prime Video)

Nayakan is loosely based on the life of the gangster, Varadarajan Mudaliar. This Kamal Haasan-starrer was India's official entry for the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film in 1987.