‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’: Bollywood movies that brought infamous gangsters Alive

Anurag Kashyap's Movie 'Gangs of Wasseypur' has played a big Role in the Evolution of the Gangster Movie Genre in India, by bringing to life the Coalmine Mafia in Dhanbad through its Storyline and performances by Stars:- Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadha, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi and Tigmanshu Dhulia. The Movie has demonstrated to the World the Power of Writing, Acting, and Production which has culminated into the Making of a great Indian Movie.

In ‘D-Day’, Nikhil Advani presents Rishi Kapoor as Iqbal Seth, also known as Goldman—a character believed to be loosely inspired by a notorious Mumbai underworld figure. The plot follows a team of Indian agents on a risky mission to capture him. Rishi Kapoor’s look and demeanour drew instant comparisons to real-life gangsters, while the film itself offered a gripping take on political crime and cross-border operations.

'Gangubai Kathiawadi,' directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, portrays Alia Bhatt as a hard-nosed leader of Kamathipura's sex trade in Mumbai. Based on a chapter from a book by Hussain Zaidi called "Mafia Queens of Mumbai," the film tells the story of how Gangubai went from being an innocent girl to becoming a strong, unhappy woman who had gained the respect of everyone around her. With extravagant sets, Bhansali's trademark flair, and stunning performances from the cast, this biographical film was very successful.

'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai,' starring Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi, is a film about the rise of crime in Mumbai, based on several real-life gangsters, including Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim. The film has a lot of intense dialogue, a slick production, and a strong spirit that captures the crime milieu in Mumbai. The sequel to this film, "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara," did not deliver the same level of charisma as the original film.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, ‘Haseena Parkar’ centres on Dawood Ibrahim’s sister, played by Shraddha Kapoor. The film captures her transformation from a quiet homemaker to a commanding figure in the underworld after her brother fled India post the 1993 blasts. Though the film had a sombre tone, it attempted to offer a closer look at the lesser-known female figure rooted in India’s crime history.

Mahesh Manjrekar’s ‘Vaastav: The Reality’ is widely believed to be inspired by the life of gangster Chhota Rajan. Sanjay Dutt’s unforgettable portrayal of Raghu, a simple man dragged into the dark world of crime, remains a highlight of his career. The film is known for its emotional depth, showcasing the human side of the underworld and the heavy price one pays for choosing that path.

Arjun Rampal brought the story of Arun Gawli to life in ‘Daddy’, directed by Ashim Ahluwalia. The film chronicles Gawli’s journey from Dagdi Chawl to becoming one of Mumbai’s most feared crime lords—and eventually a politician. Gritty, atmospheric and based on real events, the film portrays the complex layers of a man shaped by poverty, violence and ambition.

Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Shootout at Wadala’ retells the life of Manya Surve, one of Mumbai’s most well-known gangsters. The film recreates the city’s first officially recorded police encounter, where Surve was killed. Starring John Abraham, the film combines action, drama and a semi-docu style narrative, earning commercial success. It is also said to take inspiration from Hussain Zaidi’s Dongri to Dubai.

‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’ revisits the infamous 1991 encounter at the Lokhandwala Complex. Vivek Oberoi’s portrayal of Maya Dolas, alongside Sanjay Dutt and Amrita Singh, adds weight to this high-intensity drama. The film’s realistic approach and shooting at actual locations made it stand out as a gripping reconstruction of a major police operation.

Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Company’ examines the rise and fall within the D-Company syndicate, believed to be inspired by Dawood Ibrahim’s operations. With performances by Mohanlal, Ajay Devgn, Vivek Oberoi and Manisha Koirala, the film portrays the inner machinery of the Mumbai mafia and the loyalty-versus-betrayal dynamics that define it. ‘Company’ earned critical acclaim and ended up as one of the highest-grossing films of 2002.