Director Hansal Mehta, along with co-director Jai Mehta, treated Bombay not just as a setting, but as a living character. They captured the transition of the city from the late 1970s to the early 1990s with impeccable production design and a warm, nostalgic color palette. Deconstructing the Narrative Arc
Critical reception
: Critics praised it as a "hugely watchable tale of ambition and greed". It was lauded for being "a dramatic retelling of India’s biggest stock market scam" and one of the "2020's best web series". Publications like The Wire called it "an epic tragedy". Scam 1992 - The Harshad Mehta Story -2020- S01 ...
The series was not without a hint of real-world irony. The show itself sparked a minor legal controversy when the central bank of India filed a police complaint against the producers for allegedly , which was prominently featured in a scene indicating its complicity in the scam.
So, what makes "Scam 1992" such a compelling watch? For starters, the series taps into the national psyche, revisiting a painful chapter in India's economic history. The show's themes of greed, corruption, and the darker aspects of human nature resonate deeply with audiences. Director Hansal Mehta, along with co-director Jai Mehta,
Scam 1992 - The Harshad Mehta Story is more than a crime drama; it’s a Greek tragedy set in the world of finance. Whether you are a fan of financial thrillers or just great storytelling, S01 is essential viewing.
The Big Bull, ambitious, flamboyant, and ultimately, tragic. It was lauded for being "a dramatic retelling
– The explosive article is published. The financial market panics, and the government is forced to act.
| Episode | Title | Runtime (approx.) | Synopsis | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | "Risk Se Ishq" | 49 mins | In late 1970s Bombay, a middle-class boy from Ghatkopar named Harshad Mehta learns the ropes of the stock market as a jobber. With the help of his friend Bhushan, he begins his journey of ambition and risk. | | 2 | "Cobra Killer" | 54 mins | Financial disaster and personal tragedy strike Harshad, but he refuses to give up. He sets up a consultancy firm, Growmore , and begins to attract corporate clients, marking his first big leap into the big leagues. | | 3 | "Paise Ki Dukaan" | 53 mins | A jibe from a rival broker lures Harshad into the high-stakes world of the money market. He learns the system is controlled by big banks, but he sees an opportunity to build his own cartel and challenge the status quo. | | 4 | "Harshad Mehta Is A Liar" | 55 mins | Harshad’s astronomical success begins to attract unwanted attention. Financial journalist Sucheta Dalal starts tracking his activities and looking for evidence. Meanwhile, Mehta indulges in conspicuous consumption, buying a lavish bungalow and luxury cars. | | 5 | "Kundli Mein Shani" | 53 mins | The RBI Governor finds suspicious fund movements in Harshad's SBI account and orders a discreet investigation. In a classic Mehta move, he tries to outmaneuver the system by asking the bank's manager to hide the 500 crore rupee transaction. | | 6 | "Stop Press" | 42 mins | With the walls closing in, Harshad scrambles to clear his debts. Sucheta, relentless in her pursuit, receives a vital tip-off about the missing Rs. 500 crores. This sets up a nail-biting race against time between the scammer and the journalist. | | 7 | "The Bigger They Are..." | 45 mins | Sucheta's confidant, Venkitarajan, uncovers that the scam is far larger than anyone imagined, with multiple banks involved. The RBI forms an investigative committee, widening the scope of the probe into the banking system. | | 8 | "Satta Aur Sadak" | 49 mins | The involvement of the National Housing Bank (NHB) comes to light. Sucheta breaks the news, leading the CBI to interrogate NHB Chairman M.J. Pherwani. As the noose tightens, Harshad fears that Pherwani will reveal everything. | | 9 | "Arresting The Bull" | 46 mins | In a desperate and dramatic move, Harshad and his legendary lawyer, Ram Jethmalani, hold a press conference making explosive claims of political corruption. The government tries to negotiate with him, but a deal remains elusive. | | 10 | "Kyunki..." | 45 mins | A deal is finally struck with the government, and Harshad withdraws his press statement. But the respite is temporary. With most of his assets frozen and his world turned upside down, a shocking betrayal by his closest aide, Bhushan, finally seals Harshad's fate. |
The fearless financial journalist who exposed the scam. Jyoti Mehta (Anjali Barot): Harshad's supportive wife.