Bollywood's Gangster Films: High-Voltage Hits, Box Office & 6 National Awards

• Bollywood has a long history of films based on real-life gangsters, with some achieving box office success or cult status.
• Akshay Khanna's role as 'Rehman Dacait' in 'Dhurandhar' is based on a Karachi gangster, with the film earning over ₹240 crore.
• 'Deewaar' (1975) was based on Mumbai underworld don Haji Mastan, while 'Ghatak' (1996) featured a villain inspired by gangster Ashraf Patel.
• 'Godmother' (1999), based on 'Lady Don' Santokh Ben Jadeja, won 6 National Awards despite its box office performance.
• 'Vaastav' (1999), starring Sanjay Dutt, is widely believed to be based on Chhota Rajan and earned Dutt a Filmfare award.

Why It Matters: Bollywood's enduring fascination with real-life gangsters shapes cinematic history and culture.