InFrom Dubai to Karachi, noted crime and investigative journalist turned author, S Hussain Zaidi delivers a gripping, final account of a man who has shaped the narrative of crime in South Asia and left a lasting imprint on Bollywood films made on the underworld, in the process. Behind the headlines and cinematic adaptations lies the work of a sincere journalist who has spent decades separating myths from the facts. And now, with the final chapter closed, one question remains: Will the movies do it justice?
In this exclusive interaction withThe Movie Mail, the veteran investigative journalist talks about Dawood Ibrahim’s evolution, the glamourisation of gangsters by Bollywood, and the possibility ofFrom Dubai to Karachi becoming his next big-screen success.
Edited excerpts:
You’ve been writing about Dawood Ibrahim for 28 years. Knowing someone so closely, did you ever feel a human connection with him?
A. As a journalist, when you work on a story, your approach is clinical and logical rather than emotional. It’s the same with Dawood Ibrahim. I see him as a subject, not someone I have any emotional ties with. There’s no personal bond—there aren’t even Eid Mubarak messages exchanged. I maintain a professional distance and don’t go beyond that.
What kept you writing and researching about him all these years — especially now, when your bookFrom Dubai to Karachiclaims to be the final chapter?
A. People are naturally drawn to stories about bad guys. I’ve written other books, but not all of them have become bestsellers. Every time I write about Dawood, though, it turns into one. I won’t deny that the commercial success of those earlier books definitely kept me motivated to continue.
When you last met him, what did he look like? Most of us only know the glamorous image — black sunglasses, gold chains, and all things swag.
A. He’s an old man now, and it shows. While he still commands a strong presence, no one looks the same after 30 years, no matter how well they maintain themselves. His hair is thinning, his hairline is receding, and age is visible on his face. But you have to remember — he’s still a kingmaker in Pakistan. So yes, the swag is still intact.
While we read your book on Dawood, how do you personally perceive him as a man?
A. Look, people often try to portray him as someone with an anti-India agenda, especially given the allegations against him for the Mumbai blasts and everything in his history. But in my understanding, he’s more of a power-drunk businessman. The country and its people mean nothing to him in his world. Sure, at one time, he had an emotional connection to India, especially Mumbai and the Konkan region, where he spent his childhood. But he’s not that boy anymore.
If we look at the typical mindset of a terrorist, radical Islamic thoughts going against India, promoting jihad — Dawood doesn’t fit that. He’s about earning filthy money, accumulating power, and living life king-sized, surrounded by beautiful women. When he was in India, he had links with many glamorous women, and now in Pakistan, he continues with that lifestyle. He wants to hold on to his power and control any sector where money is involved. That’s why he’s a kingmaker.
He was instrumental in making Imran Khan the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and he also played a role in pulling the strings to end his career. He has his man in the Pakistan Cricket Board, shaping the destiny of players and the game. He’s heavily involved in the drug trade too. He is high on power — he’s drunk on it.
We look at him as a villain because he’s operating against us under the protection of a country like Pakistan, which is our enemy. But in his world, it’s all about money and power, not about the name of a country. We view Dawood as an enemy mainly because of his connection to Pakistan, a country that works against us. Technically, Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947, and we should have stopped bothering with it, but they continue to provoke us. We all know what’s been happening. Dawood is an interesting subject because of his curiosity factor — he’s been living in a country that’s our enemy, under their protection, for years.
You’ve also written about the female characters of the underworld. Is there any one who fascinated you so much you could write a whole book on her?
A. I’m actually writing a sequel to Mafia Queens. From the first part, I can tell you that my favorites are Sapna Didi, Jenabai Daruwali, and Gangubai — her journey is very impressive.
Your books have been adapted into films likeBlack Friday,Phantom, andGangubai Kathiawadi. Can we expectFrom Dubai to Karachito go the same way?
A. Yes, we do plan to make it into a film—or at least I hope so. But to turn it into a film, I need to first adapt the book into a screenplay, and that process hasn’t started yet. My book has just released. As for Bollywood actors, I think Emraan Hashmi has the potential to play Dawood. His body language, the silence, the brooding expression, the natural swag he has — it’s very close to how Dawood is in real life. I’d love to cast him if the film is made.
Has there been any progress on the adaptation?
A. Vishal Bhardwaj has shown his support for the book launch. He said he’d read the material, and if he liked the story, we’d work on it. But nothing is officially finalized yet, so I can’t share any further details at this point.
