Scoop series is a contemporary Hindi saga about the Police, Underworld and Journalists’ Nexus that plays out in Mumbai, India. This real-life crime story is compelling to watch.
This Hindi show from India is inspired by Jigna Vora’s biographical memoir ‘Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison’ book. Thus, one could identify a few real-life characters in it.
Renowned journalist Jyotirmoy Dey-fondly known as J. Dey-was murdered by members of the Chhota Rajan gang in 2011. A few months later, a fellow journalist and crime reporter Jigna Vora was arrested in connection with the murder. Seven years later, some of which were spent in prison, Jigna was acquitted of all charges. This is her story in her own words, of the time in prison, the court hearings and her years as a crime reporter of breaking many front-page stories.
Jigna Vora | Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison
Synopsis [official] of the Scoop (2023) Series from India
The shocking murder of a journalist thrusts a leading crime reporter into a nexus of police, media and the Mumbai underworld as she fights for justice. Thereby, in the process of breaking news, Jagruti Pathak (Karishma Tanna) became breaking news. A journalist’s life takes a 360 because of the system that made her who she is. How did a crime journalist become a co-accused in a heinous crime? Will she fight or will she concede?
Spoiler Free Review of the Scoop (2023) Series from India
What does its title “Scoop” mean?
Well, the “Scoop” word in this context means a story or a piece of news discovered and published by one newspaper before all the others in the highly competitive world of the press. Perhaps, it is one of the main reasons, why getting it published (aired) first by the print media is leading to a plethora of fake news being published (aired) around the world.
Nowadays, getting and printing the right and truthful news stories is no more being practised. Most of the time it is about setting the narrative and minting money.
What is the basic story of the series?
The protagonist of this series is Jagruti Pathak ((Karishma Tanna) – a crime Journalist. We witness her getting caught up in the complex and agenda-driven world dominated by a powerful set of people. These influential people belong to the world where the interests of the Police, the Underworld and the Journalists converge and their unholy nexus works.
And then one fine day, this unholy nexus works. They condemn the innocent Jagruti Pathak to be incarcerated inside the notorious prison in Mumbai. It is her story of survival.
We loved its story, direction, music and depiction of reality
Jigna Vora’s story is realistic. It does not skirt around the various issues about the broken system in India. Thankfully, the script of the series also managed to convey the same.
Not so long ago, our magazine reviewed another insightful series Scam 1992: Harshad Mehta Story directed by Hansal Mehta. This time too, the direction of Hansal Mehta is top-class. He has used all his experience in Mumbai, to bring to us an intelligent story about the nexus. Then, his keen eyes also use this show to expose the harsh realities of the broken police and justice system in India. How easy it is to lock someone up inside the jail?
The incidents in this series have depicted the Indian media houses in a very poor light. Tragically and sadly, that is the harsh reality of media in India, driven by the agenda and narrative of the powerful people. Lastly, just like the great background music of the Scam 1992 series, the Scoop also has good music. It sets the mood perfectly in this hard-hitting series about the unholy nexus and the person caught in the crossfire.
Top-class acting by the ensemble cast of the series
The lead actress Karishma Tanna played the role of Jagruti Pathak with rare sensitivity. No wonder, she has lived and breathed life into the character of Jagruti. We smiled along with her. Then, we also cried with her. She has expressed the different layers of her characters with amazing realism. All the time, she was able to hold our attention with her acting. The other supporting actors in its ensemble cast have performed very well.
A special mention must be made to Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub (Imran Siddiqui), as has played the role of upright Editor to perfection. Besides, the acting of Harman Baweja as a JCP Harshvardhan Shroff is a revelation. He has carried himself well as an enigmatic and senior police official. In addition, we also liked the acting jobs of two youngsters Inayat Sood (Deepa Chandra) and Tanmay Dhanania (Pushkar Mohan), who played the roles of ambitious and opportunistic journalists with conviction.
The conclusion
We have recently shared an article about the Time (S2/2023) series based on the British prison system, which is a good show. Similarly, this Scoop series speaks in no uncertain terms about the broken system in Indian democracy – political, judicial, police, underworld, journalism, etc.
In other words, this show makes an honest comment on the sorry state of affairs in India or should we say, Bharat. The corrupt nexus has afflicted all four pillars of democracy- the Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and the Media in this great nation. The (nefarious and hidden)) agenda-driven world is making innocent people like Jagruti Pathak (Jigna Vora) suffer unnecessarily.
Trumped up charges by the police and then the lengthy judicial process takes a toll on people like single mother Jagruti Pathak. It is a scary and heartbreaking show to watch.
But then who is responsible for her time spent in jail, we may never know. Such is life in India. This is must must-watch show from India, definitely one of the top shows of the year.
Rating of this 2023 Series about Police, Underworld & Journalists’ Nexus
| FM Rating | 4.05/5 |
| FM Short Comments | The painful and heartbreaking case of the journalist Jagruti Pathak brings to light the truth of the broken systems in Mumbai, India. So, despite this being a difficult watch, the best thing about this show are way it focuses on the important pillars of democracy – police, judicial, press, underworld, etc. |
Spoilers Alert – 2023 Series about Police, Underworld & Journalists’ Nexus
Peek into the Six episodes of the Crime series set in Mumbai
First (1st) Episode
While chasing a story on serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, ace reporter Jagruti Pathak (Karishma Tanna) stumbles upon an incriminating lead with dangerous consequences.
Second (2nd) Episode
Jagruti is pulled back to the city during a trip to Kashmir when a major story breaks. Imran Siddiqui (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) is disturbed by sensational headlines around the case.
Third (3rd) Episode
Speculation around a journalist’s involvement in the case puts Jagruti in a troubling position. Deepa Chandra (Inayat Sood) pursues her leads while digging into a story.
Fourth (4th) Episode
Jagruti struggles in the wake of false rumours and their impact on her life. JCP* Harshvardhan Shroff (Harman Baweja) shows signs of distress as his health takes a turn.
*JCP means Joint Commissioner Of Police in Mumbai.
Fifth (5th) Episode
While in custody, Jagruti spars with an influential inmate holding a personal grudge. Imran stands his ground and Pushkar Mohan (Tanmay Dhanania) moves up the career ladder.
Sixth (6th) Episode
Jagruti takes control of her case when the police’s accusations against her finally emerge. Imran chances upon Jaideb Sen’s (Prasenjit Chatterjee) “smoking gun” lead.
Inspirations as per her book – the real-life Mumbai Underworld Dons & Their Fate
Dawood Ibrahim (26 December 1955 – )
Even in 2023, Dawood Ibrahim is one of the most well-known and most wanted criminals from India. He traces his roots to the Mumbai Underworld. In the past, both the United Nations Security Council as well as the United States have declared him to be a global terrorist for his association with Al-Qaeda. They described him as a “son of a police constable (who) has reigned as one of the pre-eminent criminals in the Indian underworld for most of the past two decades”. He still roams free and runs his criminal enterprises.
Chhota Rajan (13 January 1960 – )
Chhota Rajan is a former criminal associate of Dawood Ibrahim. However, nowadays, they share a serious acrimonious enmity. Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje is the real name of this Mumbai gangster. However, a few years ago, Indonesia deported Chhota Rajan to India. Since then, the CBI Department has been leading a court trial in over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug smuggling against him in Delhi and Mumbai.
In May 2018, the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court in Mumbai sentenced all nine convicts, including Underworld Gangster Chhota Rajan and shooter Satish Kaliya to life imprisonment in the journalist Jyotirmoy Dey murder case. In addition, the said court also awarded life sentences to Chhota Rajan and eight others for Dey’s murder. Vinod Asrani alias Vinod Chemburkar, another associate of Chhota Rajan, died of liver complications in 2015.
Inspirations as per her book – the real-life Journalists & Their Fate
Jyotirmoy Dey (Mid-Day)
The Mumbai-based journalist Jyotirmoy Dey (popularly known as J Dey) was a veteran, who had worked at numerous well-known press media houses. Many people in his journalism circle considered him to be an expert on the Mumbai underworld. He even wrote two books on the history and evolution of Mumbai Underworld, viz., “Zero Dial: The Dangerous World of Informers” and “Khallas – an A to Z Guide to the Underworld”.
At the time of his murder, he was working as the Editor of Special Investigations at the Mumbai-based daily ‘Mid Day’ newspaper.
Jigna Vora (Asian Age) | They have changed her name in this series
Jigna Vora was also a single mother with a kid, who had moved to Mumbai from Gujarat in 2002 after separating from her husband. She is a law graduate. In Mumbai, she built her reputation as a court and crime reporter. Later on, she many articles about the Mumbai Underworld, including the top gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel and Santosh Shetty, among others.
Mumbai Police arrested Jigna in connection with Dey’s murder. Her arrest happened after more than five months had passed since the murder of J Dey. At that time, she was the deputy bureau chief of the English daily Asian Age. The Police had claimed that she hatched the conspiracy to murder J Dey. They also cited professional rivalry as the motive. As a result, Jigna ended up inside the Byculla Jail in Mumbai.
On August 11, 2012, Jigna Vora was granted bail considering her status as a single mother and clean past personal records, and later released from the said jail. At a later date, a Mumbai Court also acquitted the journalist Jigna Vora, who had been accused of instigating the gunning down of journalist J Dey in Powai on June 11, 2011.
Furthermore, in May 2018, Vora was acquitted of all charges against her, with the court observing that there was no trustworthy evidence against her.
S. Hussain Zaidi (Asian Age) | They have changed his name in this series
S. Hussain Zaidi started his Journalism career with the Asian Age and the Indian Express before moving on to Mid Day and Mumbai Mirror as Editor (investigations) in Mumbai. In addition, he has worked as Senior Editor with Express, as well as Resident Editor in the Asian Age. Then in 2016, he left the journalism field after his last stint as city editor in Mirror. In his second career, S. Hussain Zaidi became a prolific crime writer.
Inspirations as per her book – the real-life Police Official & His Fate
Late Himanshu Roy (IPS) | They have changed his name in this series
In May 2018, Himanshu Roy, former chief of the Maharashtra Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, took his life at his official residence in Mumbai. When he shot himself with his service revolver, he was serving as the additional director general of police (establishment) in Maharashtra, Mumbai.
In his long and illustrious police career, Himanshu Roy played a key role in leading and solving complex and high-profile criminal cases in Mumbai. Such as the killing of Dawood’s brother Iqbal Kaskar’s driver Arif Bael, the murder case of journalist J. Dey, the Vijay Palande-Laila Khan double murder case, the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal, etc.
“He was a fitness freak and cancer had broken him down. He believed that he would fully recover and hit the gym again but his cancer recurred some four months back.”
Mumbai Police Officer said requesting anonymity | Times of India
Inspirations as per her book – the real-life Jail Inmate & Her Fate
Pragya Singh Thakur | They changed her name in this series
At present, Pragya Singh Thakur is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She is more famously known as Sadhvi Pragya. In the Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament, she represents Bhopal as its Member of Parliament (M.P.). During her student days, she was an active member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in her college and later joined various affiliate organisations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Along with Jigna Vora, Pragya Singh Thakur was also an inmate in the Byculla Jail, as an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. In that September 29, 2008 case, 6 people were killed and more than 100 injured when an explosive device strapped on a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon town, in north Maharashtra.
Poster of this 2023 Series about Police, Underworld & Journalists’ Nexus
Key Details of this 2023 Series about Police, Underworld & Journalists’ Nexus
| Genre | Biography, Crime, Drama |
| Original language | Hindi (a bit of Gujarati, Marathi, English, etc.) |
| Age-restrictions | UA (16+) |
| Released | June 2, 2023 |
| Creators | Hansal Mehta & Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul |
| Director | Hansal Mehta |
| Cast | Karishma Tanna (Jagruti Pathak), Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub (Imran Siddiqui), Harman Baweja (JCP Harshvardhan Shroff), Inayat Sood (Deepa Chandra), Tanmay Dhanania (Pushkar Mohan), Tannishtha Chatterjee (Leena Pradhan), Deven Bhojani (Jagruti’s Mama), Danish Sait (Sushant – AB News), etc. |
| Network | Netflix |
Trailer of this 2023 Series about Police, Underworld & Journalists’ Nexus
Awards won by this 2023 Series about Police, Underworld & Journalists’ Nexus
| Award Names | Award Categories | Award Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Filmfare OTT Awards | 2023 Winner Popular Award Best Series – Drama | Scoop |
| Filmfare OTT Awards | 2023 Winner Technical Award Best Dialogue (Series) | Karan Vyas |
| Filmfare OTT Awards | 2023 Winner Technical Award Best Adapted Screenplay (Series) | Mrunmayee Lagoo, Mirat Trivedi & Anu Singh Choudhary |
| Filmfare OTT Awards | 2023 Winner Critics Choice Award Best Actress – Drama | Karishma Tanna |
| OTTplay Awards | 2023 Winner Popular Award Most Promising Actress on OTT | Karishma Tanna |
| Golden Glory Awards | 2023 Winner Brand Impact Award Power Packed Performance of the Year | Karishma Tanna |
| Golden Glory Awards | 2023 Winner Brand Impact Award Exceptional Performer of the Year – Male | Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub |
Featured Image, Other Image and Poster of the Scoop (S1/2023) Series from India | Pic. Credit: Netflix.