Netflix has just dropped an absolute banger of a web series called “Scoop.” It’s based on the real-life murder of top journalist J Dey and the jaw-dropping arrest of journalist Jigna Vora. The show takes its cues from Jigna Vora’s book, “Behind the Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison,” and is brought to life by the dynamic duo of Hansal Mehta and Mrinmoyee Lagoo Vaikul.
The heart of the story revolves around Jagriti Pathak, a badass crime journalist who dares to tread the treacherous path of crime reporting, a domain often deemed risky for women. “Scoop” draws inspiration from actual events, with the characters taking their cues from real-life individuals, though their names have been cleverly changed. Now, let’s dive into the stellar cast and the real-life counterparts they portray on the screen.
Scoop – Reel and Real Characters
- Jagruti Pathak (Jigna Vora): Jagriti Pathak’s character is a mirror image of journalist Jigna Vora, who found herself in hot water after being accused and arrested for conspiring to murder senior crime journalist Jyotirmoy Dey in June 2011. At the time, Jigna Vora was working her magic at “The Asian Age” but had to bid adieu to her journalism career prematurely due to this scandal. She was accused of leaking J Dey’s details to the notorious mafia don Chhota Rajan. Jigna spent a nerve-wracking nine months behind bars until her eventual acquittal in 2018 due to a lack of evidence. These days, she’s immersed in tarot card reading and writing, even penning a book about her experiences behind bars.
- Jaydeb Sen (J Dey): In the thrilling tale of “Scoop,” Jagriti Pathak gets tangled up in the murder of senior journalist Jaydeb Sen, lovingly known as J Dey. The real-life J Dey (Jyotimoy Dev) met a tragic end in 2011 near Hiranandani Gardens in Powai, Mumbai. The despicable act was claimed by none other than Chhota Rajan himself, allegedly driven by articles written against him. Justice prevailed when a special CBI court convicted Chhota Rajan and seven others in May 2018, with the main man himself getting a one-way ticket to life imprisonment. Prosenjit Chatterjee delivers a bang-on performance as the senior journalist Jaydeb Sen in “Scoop.”
- Imran Siddiqui (Hussain Zaidi): “Scoop” introduces us to Imran Siddiqui, Jagriti’s boss and the all-powerful editor-in-chief of the newspaper where she works. This character takes inspiration from the real deal, investigative journalist S. Hussain Zaidi, who held the fort as editor-in-chief at “The Asian Age” during those tumultuous times. S. Hussain Zaidi is a master storyteller, with his books digging deep into the gritty world of the Mumbai Mafia. You might have heard of titles like “Dongri to Dubai,” “Mafia Queens of Mumbai,” “Black Friday,” “My Name is Abu Salem,” and “Mumbai Avengers.” The charismatic Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub breathes life into this character on the screen. Oh, and by the way, several films have been adapted from S. Hussain Zaidi’s captivating books.
- JCP Shroff (Himanshu Roy): Keep your eyes peeled for the intense encounters between Jagruti and JCP Shroff, a character who holds the reins of the narrative. The incredible Harman Baweja does a stellar job portraying this character, drawing inspiration from the legendary IPS officer Himanshu Roy. Back in 2011, during the investigation of the Jigna Vora case, Himanshu Roy held the esteemed position of Joint Commissioner of the Mumbai Police. He soon became a household name, known for his encounters with criminals and his fearless approach to law enforcement. However, tragedy struck in 2018 when he tragically took his own life, succumbing to the battles he faced with depression and cancer.
- Leena Pradhan (Meenal Baghel) – Let’s talk about Leena Pradhan, the badass editor-in-chief of City Mirror, who is always in a fierce competition with ‘Eastern Age.’ Now, you might wonder who this fiery character is based on. Well, it’s none other than the talented Meenal Baghel, a senior editor at ‘Mumbai Mirror.’ Meenal took charge as the editor of Mumbai Mirror back in 2005 when the newspaper was just starting its journey. But hold on, that’s not all. Before her groundbreaking role, she worked as the deputy editor at Mid Day in Mumbai, where she effortlessly steered the newsroom and played a crucial part in giving the design and overall product a remarkable makeover. Meenal Baghel is a force to be reckoned with. Between 1996 and 2001, she showcased her expertise at the Indian Express, serving as the editor for the Sunday paper based in Delhi. And let’s not forget her successful stint managing Newsline, the Express’s city supplement, right here in Mumbai. Currently, she holds the esteemed position of Executive Editor at Hindustan Times. But wait, there’s more! Meenal is a podcasting sensation and has written a gripping book called ‘Death in Mumbai.’ Brace yourself, because this book takes you deep into the infamous Maria Susairaj case, unveiling the shocking truths hidden within. And guess who gets to embody the indomitable Leena Pradhan? It’s none other than the talented actress Tannishtha Chatterjee.
- AGDP Malik (Rakesh Maria) – Now, let’s shine the spotlight on AGDP Ramesh Malik, a character that shares a striking resemblance to the real-life hero, Rakesh Maria. This man is an absolute legend in the world of cops and police commissioners. Rakesh Maria, a former IPS officer, has cracked some of the most high-profile cases throughout his illustrious career. From unraveling the 1993 Mumbai Bomb Blasts to nabbing Sanjay Dutt for illegal firearms possession, Maria has done it all. He even cracked the cases of the 2003 Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar blasts, leading the charge in the investigation of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. And let’s not forget his pivotal role in solving the murder of Matka King Suresh Bhagat. This guy’s investigative skills and leadership are truly exceptional. But there’s one case that holds a special place in Maria’s career: the Jigna Vora case. Jigna Vora, a journalist entangled in the murder of senior crime journalist Jyotirmoy Dey back in 2011, found herself under Maria’s scrutiny. As the Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police at the time, Maria took charge of the investigation. Under his watchful eye, the police gathered evidence, conducted intense interrogations, and ultimately brought Jigna Vora to justice. However, it’s important to note that Jigna Vora was acquitted in 2018 due to insufficient evidence. In ‘Scoop,’ the phenomenal actor Darshan Dave brings the character of Ramesh Malik to life, capturing the essence of Rakesh Maria’s remarkable journey.
- Rambha Maa (Jaya Cheddha): Now, let’s talk about the captivating character of Rambha Maa, who takes her inspiration from the notorious hardcore criminal Jaya Chheda, famously known as Jaya Maa within the prison walls. Jaya, the wife of Suresh Bhagat, a powerful matka king in Mumbai, faced a heartbreaking twist of fate when her husband met with a fatal accident back in 2008. After Suresh’s untimely demise, Jaya took charge of the Matka business and earned herself the notorious title of “Matka Queen.” Little did she know that her life would take a dark turn when she was convicted for her husband’s murder in 2013, resulting in a life imprisonment sentence. But hold on, there’s more to this intriguing tale. In 2018, the Bombay High Court granted Jaya Chheda bail on medical grounds, giving us a glimpse into the complexities of her life behind bars. In the enthralling series “Scoop,” the character of Rambha Maa captures the essence of Jaya’s compelling story. Rambha Maa exudes a commanding presence and wields significant influence within the prison walls. Tejaswini Kolhapure brings this formidable character to life on the screen, immersing us in the captivating world of Rambha Maa
- Sharda Maa (Sadhvi Pragya Thakur): Let’s dive into the character of Sharda Maa, who draws inspiration from none other than Sadhvi Pragya Thakur. During the events portrayed in the series, Sadhvi Pragya found herself behind bars in Byculla jail due to her alleged involvement in the Malegaon bomb blast. Jigna Vora, the central character of the series, had numerous encounters with Sadhvi Pragya during their time in jail. Jigna Vora’s book delves deep into the intricacies of Sadhvi Pragya’s life, unraveling the enigmatic world of spiritual figures entangled in the realm of crime and punishment.
In “Scoop,” the character of Sharda Maa embodies elements of manipulation and self-interest, taking us on a thrilling journey into the dark corners of her psyche. Portrayed by the talented Shikha Talsania, Sharda Maa’s presence on the screen leaves us spellbound, as we explore the complex dynamics surrounding her character. Get ready to be captivated by the enigmatic Sharda Maa in this gripping web series
The “Scoop” series has brought together an incredible ensemble cast, each breathing life into their respective characters. With its gripping storyline rooted in real-life events, the show delves into the dark underbelly of crime journalism and the complexities faced by those involved. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of suspense, drama, and twists as “Scoop” takes you on a thrilling journey through the world of journalism and crime.