Based on documented true events in a novel by the same name, Scam 2003(Volume 1 of 2) follows the story of Abdul Karim Telgi who starts producing stamp papers illegally thus leading to a scam running into crores. The story here is riveting and compelling to begin with(and I say this because only Part 1 of 2 is out) which was almost indulgent after a point in understanding the process opted to pull off this humongous scam. The screenplay standing at 5 episodes ranging from 40 odd to 50 odd minutes does account for a flavourful watch that tactfully documents the path of the protagonist who embroils himself in a scam running into crores.

There is something about the series involving Hansal Mehta wherein the city plays a very important role. Be it in Scam 1992 or the recently released series Scoop, I feel a deliberate attempt is made in creating a character out of the city. And here too, the focus of attention is the city of Bombay(it was Bombay at the start of the show) where the action begin. You are introduced to the protagonist who is unassumingly goofy in his demeanor yet quite sharp with his thoughts. From being a fruit seller in a train to slowly shifting base in the city of Bombay, the protagonist coming from a humble background did come of age. Yet, his first brush with crime in a rather petty case does kick start his alternate journey wherein history would remember him as the kingpin of The Telgi Scam.

The proceedings are interesting and engrossing that almost kicks on like a slow poison that suddenly hits you out of nowhere. Here I must say that it would be unfair to compare this show to Scam 1992 given that the latter is a masterpiece and this show will always fall short of that. But if you are willing to indulge in the story of the protagonist without any prejudice, then there are rewards to be had. Despite only half a season being released, the show does pack in a lot of details, this time without the ‘technical’ jargons that made me sit back and applaud the intelligence of the protagonist(although this should not have been done in reality). There is a sense of playfulness while imparting an important lesson of creating a rapport with all the stakeholders involved(ofcourse with a huge sum of money in exchange).

The drama also meticulously touches upon the politics which acts as an undercurrent(and presumably will play a bigger part in the subsequent section of the show). The ‘heist’ which did seem to be far fetched was still performed in a ‘digestable’ manner and it did result in a compelling watch. The show is placed on a knife edge, ending exactly where the presumable start of the downfall might be, and it makes me even more curious on what the show has to offer next(given its first scene without divulging the details), and how deep it wishes to dig into given that there has already been a flutter in the political circuit about the turn of events on the show. We shall see! But so far, the screenplay is riveting and accounts for a wonderful watch.