'Lot Of Bollywood People Are Exploitative', S Hussain Zaidi On Authors Not Getting Their Due

It is undeniable that books are an incredible source of knowledge and a good method to learn about people's lives and stories.?

Our country's authors have produced some incredible works that will continue to enlighten generations. Additionally, some books are adapted into films and web series.?

One such series, 'Bambai Meri Jaan' was recently announced. The series is based on analysis and a story by renowned author S Hussain Zaidi. a writer whose numerous previous works have been adapted for the big screen including Black Friday, Phantom, Shootout At Wadala, Lahore Confidential and Class Of 83 among others.

In an exclusive conversation with Indiatimes, the author spoke about his books, Bollywood and more!

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Zaidi's book Dongri To Dubai is the inspiration behind Kay Kay Menon starrer Bambai Meri Jaan

There were several reports about how his book Dongri to Dubai serves as an inspiration for Bambai Meri Jaan, explaining that, S Hussain Zaidi said,?

"Dongri to Dubai is a story about the Mumbai Mafia from 1947-2007.? The book is more of a chronicle of Mumbai Mafia. But Bambai Meri Jaan is not the adaptation of any book but a story which I have written after blending several characters, various plotlines and multiple stories. Portions of several books and numerous special stories from my reporting days have been structured together to make this magnum opus series.”

He added, “The main thread of the story is based on a father-son conflict where the father is an honest cop and the son is a criminal. The upright father with an unblemished integrity faces the biggest challenge at home when he raises a defiant son who turns out to be the biggest gangster in the city. “

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Authors And Their Due In Bollywood

When asked if writers get their due in Bollywood after their works are adapted he said, ”Only few reputed studios are professional enough and are careful enough to recognize a writer and his work. Else in most cases many unscrupulous production houses don't. A lot of Bollywood people are exploitative, they don’t bother to credit their authors as they deserve. Industry needs to formulate some norms to acknowledge the writers/authors in the right manner.”

S Hussain Zaidi’s works include Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Black Friday, My Name is Abu Salem and Mumbai Avengers.?

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Zaidi Tryst with Mumbai Mafia of the 90s

S Hussain Zaidi is somebody who has closely researched a lot about the Mumbai Mafia. When asked why this subject interests him in particular, he said, “When I started in the late 90s, I did not know where to start and carve a niche for myself. In the 90s, the mafia was at its peak, there were serial blasts, shootouts in court, almost 100 shootouts in 1998. It was a violent era. By sheer accident, I became the right person at the wrong time and I started writing extensively in newspapers like Indian Express, Mid Day, Mumbai Mirror. I realized that people enjoyed those stories and I was getting good feedback, those stories were ending up on Page 1. Then my friend Vikram Chandra suggested that I should write a book on the Mumbai mafia and I wrote Black friday. Since then I have not looked back. In a way I did not choose it, rather the Mumbai Mafia reporting kind of has chosen me. “

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?Kay kay Menon In Bambai Meri Naan And Black Friday

The author said, “In black Friday Kay Kay played the man who investigated the Mumbai serial blast Rakesh Maria and In this one he is playing a cop who has a criminal son. The man is so versatile and has incredible skills of acting that he can portray any kind of complex roles. He has done myriad roles with equal aplomb. I learnt that Kay Kay himself wanted to portray the role of Ismail Kadri, the upright cop in the series”

Do Book Sales Go Up After An Adaptation Is Made?

Hussain said, “In my case I don't think there is a substantial impact. By the grace of God, my books have been selling steadily. 20 years after Black Friday and over a decade of Dongri to Dubai, my books are still selling decently.”

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Portrayal Of Mumbai Mafia In The Industry?

While talking about Bambai Meri Jaan And Gangubai Kathiawadi, he said, “It can't be said about all Mafia stories. Bambai Meri Jaan has an excellent execution. Shujaat Saudagar has been a skillful craftsman with the story. Gangubai Kathiawadi was good. The portrayal of Gangubai was nicely done. However, in most cases makers don't get any closer in depiction of Mumbai mafia. These movies are made by makers who do not have a close understanding of the underworld except through newspaper reports. It is based on superficial knowledge and scant research. Can't blame the directors but the depiction of Mafia is far from accurate.”

Theaters Can’t Be Eliminated

S Hussain Zaidi said that he does not think that cinemas will fade away. “OTT is a parallel medium of entertainment, so people will watch OTT content as they want but it won't eliminate theaters, these are two different mediums and they will co exist with minimal competition. At times you can show all the content in two hours so a season is a more proper forum for story telling.”

(To?read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading?Indiatimes BINGE)