7 reviews for Byculla To Bangkok
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Byculla To Bangkok
by S Hussain Zaidi
Description:
After the huge success of Dongri to Dubai, here comes its much awaited sequel, Byculla to Bangkok. Chota Rajan, Arun Gawli and Ashwin Naik are among those whose lives Hussain Zaidi recounts with his characteristic flair for narrativizing the Mumbai underworld. Violence and deceit one expects to read of, but the strength of this book is also its ability to capture the mundane and almost naive beginnings of what later became organized crime and brutal vendettas which held Mumbai to ransom through the last decades of the twentieth century, Unputdownable.
About The Author
Hussain Zaidi is an Indian author and former investigative journalist. His works include Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Black Friday, and My Name is Abu Salem.
Skryf Review
“Good Reading”
Tisha
A Worthy Sequel to the Dongri to Dubai, this work of S Hussain Zaidi, chronicles the rise of other mobsters of Mumbai underworld. While dongri to dubi dealt with the rise and rise of Dawood Ibrahim, this book narrates the stories of other mobsters such as Amar Naik, Arun Gawli, Ashwin Naik, Suresh Manchekar, Chota Rajan among others. Out of all the real life character the one who stands out the most in this book is Amar Naik. Amar is shown as quick witted and stylish don who indulged every kind of nefarious activities; drug dealing, smuggling, gun running, extortion others. Amar is also shown to have very close contacts with international mafia/terrorist group including LTTE. If he was not killed in an encounter he may have very well been a serious challenger to Dawood in Mumbai and in Asia. Written nicely this book may not apppeal to those who like their stories to be woven aroung a central character. While Dawood was the epicentre of the Dongri to Dubai. There is no single central character in this book and that may not appeal to some.Overall a worthy sucesssor to Dongri to Dubai, would give it 3.5 stars but since its not possible lets go ahead with 4.
Tisha
Mafia Queens Of Mumbai:14
Kaushal
Thank god, Hussain Zaidi has improved leaps and bounds in his writing skills, unlike the prequel to this book Dongri to Dubai, which felt like it was recycling of newspaper articles. The Book traces the evolution of Maharashtarians into underworld, and how so of them have started their own political parties now. This brief,racy and concise book is must, if you have no idea about Mumbai mobsters. The recurring theme in the book is how crony capitalism and inability of police to provide justice lead many young educated honest people to other side of the crime.
Smit
Amazing book!! It describes the Mumbai mafia in the most spectacular way. There are very stupefying incidences which depicts the ferocity of the crimes that were carried out decades ago. The book describes the long lasting war between goons and drug lords with Mumbai police. A must read for those who are willing to know more about the crime developments in Mumbai.
parth
This is the so called sequel to the book “Dongri to Dubai” by the author Zaidi. The book starts of with a racy encounter ending in the death of a dreaded mafia guy. This book talks about the home grown Maharashtrian gangs. The main characters are Arun Gawli, Chotta Rajan & Naik, including others of some importance. It also talks about various police & political characters who have played a key role in the decimation or growth of the mafia.I had earlier reviewed “Dongri to Dubai” & would like to state that the writing style of the author is extremely readable and interesting. The author with his background as a crime reporter has got all the juicy tit bits of information, including the killers eccentricities and beliefs. The best e.g. would be of Thakur, who was a vegetarian teetotaller. A firm bhakt of Lord Shiva and an honourable one at that!!! There are multiple narratives and stories that are weaved seamlessly. This book is truly an unputdownable book. I finished it within 8 hrs flat.
aashna
S. Husain Zaidi’s Byculla to Bangkok is a sequel to Dongri to Dubai. D to D revolves around early years of Mumabi underworld. While B to B is story of marathi mafia in the city. This book tells us stories of 3 major dons. Arun Gavli, Naik brothers and Chhota Rajan. It is quite interesting to know how all three dons started their career and become dons. Arun Gavli was a mill worker, Arun Naik was a vegetable vendor and Chota Rajan used to sell black tickets outside Sahakar cinema. This book catch your attention from the beginning. Zaidi’s interview with Arun Gavali in Harsool jail is quite interesting to read. This interview force readers to read the book further. This is not only story of the underworld but this book also throws light on the nexus between politician and cops. This books tells us in what circumstances one become a criminal. It is wonderful commentary on that period too. Zaidi is a powerful story teller. Every chapter is like a complete story in itself. Chapter by chapter Zaidi unfolds story of Mumbai mafia. Dons are very complicated to understand. But Zaidi tell us their stories in simplest way possible and it gives glimpse of shade of their characters. If anyone who is really interested in the subject should go for it. If you want to read this book, then make sure you have read Dongri to Dubai. If you have read Dongri to Dubai then what are you doing here just grab your copy and enjoy reading it.