Haji Mastan: The Multi-talented Don

Haji Mastan, a cunning underworld to film producer and political leader in Mumbai, whose control over inter-gang rivalry and enigmatic persona inspired characters in multiple Indian movies, led a controversial life before he died in 1994.

Haji Mastan. Credits to The revolver club

Haji Mastan was born into a world of poverty and struggle. His family, consisting of his parents and four siblings, lived in a small, cramped house in the Tamil Muslim neighbourhood of Panaikulam. Despite their hardships, Haji's father had big dreams for his son and wanted him to have a better life.

At the age of eight, Haji and his father left their hometown and moved to the bustling city of Bombay. There, Haji's father found work at the docks, and Haji started doing odd jobs around Crawford Market.

As he grew older, Haji began to realize that the only way he could provide for his family and achieve his dreams was through hard work and perseverance. He soon found himself working long hours at the docks, loading and unloading cargo. During this time, he became involved in the smuggling of gold from overseas for the first time.

At first, Haji was hesitant to get involved in such a dangerous trade. But as he saw the vast amounts of money that could be made, he couldn't resist the temptation. Before long, he was working with a fellow smuggler, Sukkur Narayan Bakhia, to bring items into Mumbai and Daman from countries in the Persian Gulf.

Together, Haji and Bakhia quickly gained wealth in the notorious business. They were ruthless and unrelenting, always staying one step ahead of the authorities. As Haji's wealth grew, he began to invest in real estate and other ventures, including film financing. He eventually became a film producer by using his connections and resources to help others make movies.

But Haji's success also brought him, enemies. Rival gang leaders saw him as a threat and began to challenge his authority. The situation became so dire that Haji called a meeting of all the top gang leaders in Mumbai to try and come to a peaceful resolution.

At the meeting, Haji used his powers of persuasion to convince the other gang leaders to split Mumbai between them, so they could operate without encountering any conflicts. The meeting was a success, and Haji became known as the peacemaker of the Mumbai underworld.

However, as Haji aged, he became more distant from the day-to-day operations of his gang. He relied on his right-hand men, Lala and Mudaliar, to carry out his smuggling operations and intimidate rivals and debtors.

But fate had other plans for Haji. During the Indian Emergency, he was imprisoned, and it was during this time in jail that he began to think about his life and the impact he had on those around him. He was influenced by the ideals of politician Jaiprakash Narayan and began to learn Hindi.

After his release from prison, Haji decided to enter politics and formed a political party named Dalit Muslim Surakhsha Maha Sangh in 1980-81. In 1985, he renamed the party Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh, which is currently led by Sundar Shaekhar.

Sadly, Haji's life was cut short when he died of a heart attack on June 25, 1994. But his legacy lives on in the many films and stories that are based on his life, including Deewaar (1975) Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2019) and Shootout at Wadala (2013) Despite his questionable past, Haji Mastan remains a fascinating figure in Indian history. His rise from poverty to wealth and power is a testament to the human spirit, and his legacy serves as a reminder that anyone can achieve greatness with hard work and determination.