The Scam franchise is returning with another story rooted in one of India’s most controversial financial sagas. On August 12, the makers unveiled the first look of Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga, with actor Siddharth Bodke stepping into the role of late businessman and Sahara Group founder Subrata Roy.
Directed by Hansal Mehta, the upcoming series is the third chapter in the Scam franchise after Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story and Scam 2003: The Telgi Story. The first look has arrived as production gets underway, immediately drawing attention to Bodke’s transformation into the businessman whose rise, empire and legal controversies became a major chapter in India’s corporate history.
Siddharth Bodke Takes on the Role of Subrata Roy
For Siddharth Bodke, Scam 2010 marks one of his biggest roles yet. The actor will portray Subrata Roy, the founder and chairman of the Sahara Group.
The first look gives audiences their first glimpse of Bodke in character and establishes the visual direction of the upcoming series. His casting is particularly significant because Roy was a larger-than-life figure whose business empire extended far beyond the financial sector.
Bodke has previously worked across Marathi and Hindi entertainment, but taking on the central character in a series from the highly recognised Scam franchise puts him in a completely different spotlight.
The makers have not simply announced another financial-crime story. They are attempting to examine the man behind one of India’s most recognisable business empires and the events that eventually brought him into conflict with regulators and the legal system.
What Is Scam 2010 About?
As its title suggests, Scam 2010 will focus on the story of Subrata Roy and the Sahara Group.
The series is based on journalist Tamal Bandyopadhyay’s book Sahara: The Untold Story and is expected to explore Roy’s extraordinary rise, the expansion of his business empire and the controversies that surrounded Sahara’s financial activities.
The project was originally announced as Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga. The story is positioned as a journey from ambition and business success to the controversies and legal battles that eventually defined the later years of Roy’s career.
According to the makers, the series will explore themes including ambition, influence and arrogance, while presenting a dramatic account of Roy’s journey.
This approach is consistent with the Scam franchise, which has generally focused not only on the financial mechanics of a controversy but also on the personalities and circumstances surrounding the people at its centre.
From Sahara’s Rise to Subrata Roy’s Controversies
Subrata Roy built Sahara India Pariwar into a major business conglomerate with interests across multiple sectors. At the height of its influence, Sahara was associated with finance, housing, media, hospitality and other businesses.
Roy’s public image was also closely linked with glamour and celebrity culture. Sahara’s brand became highly visible in Indian sports and entertainment, helping establish Roy as a prominent figure in the country’s business landscape.
However, the story eventually took a dramatically different turn.
Sahara’s fundraising activities and financial practices came under regulatory scrutiny. The dispute involving Sahara’s investor-related schemes became a prolonged legal battle, eventually reaching the Supreme Court.
The controversies surrounding the group and Roy are expected to form a major part of the series.
That makes Scam 2010 different from a straightforward success story. The series has the opportunity to examine how an ambitious business empire grew to enormous proportions and what happened when questions about its financial practices intensified.
Hansal Mehta Returns to the Scam Franchise
One of the biggest reasons for the anticipation surrounding Scam 2010 is the return of filmmaker Hansal Mehta.
Mehta directed Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which became one of the most acclaimed Indian streaming dramas of its time. The series introduced a wider audience to the story of stockbroker Harshad Mehta and turned Pratik Gandhi into a household name.
The second instalment, Scam 2003: The Telgi Story, explored the life and counterfeit-stamp-paper operation of Abdul Karim Telgi.
With Scam 2010, Mehta is returning to another real-life financial story, this time centred on Subrata Roy.
The filmmaker has previously described the Scam franchise as more than a collection of financial-crime stories, calling it a chronicle of its times. The new series therefore carries considerable expectations from viewers who have followed the franchise since its first instalment.
Why the Subrata Roy Story Is So Intriguing
Subrata Roy’s life contains several elements that make it naturally suited to a long-form series.
His story includes a dramatic rise from relatively modest beginnings to becoming the head of one of India’s most recognisable business groups. Sahara’s expansion created a powerful corporate brand that became visible across sports, entertainment, real estate and hospitality.
Roy himself became a celebrity businessman.
But his later legal battles presented a completely different picture.
The contrast between the glamorous public image and the financial controversies surrounding the Sahara Group provides the series with a natural dramatic arc.
Instead of focusing only on the final controversy, Scam 2010 is expected to explore the journey that came before it. That means viewers could see the creation of the Sahara empire, Roy’s growing influence, the company’s expansion and the events that eventually placed the group under intense regulatory and judicial scrutiny.
Siddharth Bodke’s Transformation
The casting of Siddharth Bodke has generated curiosity because Roy’s personality was so distinctive.
Playing a real-life businessman requires more than simply reproducing his appearance. The actor also has to capture the confidence, mannerisms and public persona of someone who commanded enormous influence.
The first look is therefore an important early indication of how the makers are approaching the character.
Bodke will have to portray different stages of Roy’s life, from an ambitious businessman building his organisation to a powerful corporate figure facing increasingly serious challenges.
That gives the actor considerable scope to create a layered performance rather than a one-dimensional portrayal.
When and Where Will Scam 2010 Release?
Scam 2010 is being produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment and will stream on SonyLIV.
Production has now commenced, but an official premiere date has not yet been announced.
The series is currently among the most anticipated upcoming Indian OTT projects, particularly because of the reputation of the Scam franchise and Hansal Mehta’s involvement.
For now, the first look gives audiences their first official glimpse of Siddharth Bodke as Subrata Roy, while the full cast and further details are expected to emerge as production progresses.
What Can Fans Expect?
If the previous instalments are any indication, Scam 2010 is likely to combine financial history with character-driven storytelling.
The series has the difficult task of presenting a complicated real-life business story in a way that remains accessible to viewers who may not be familiar with the details of the Sahara controversy.
At the same time, longtime followers of the Scam franchise will be looking for the detailed storytelling, strong performances and investigative tone associated with the earlier chapters.
The Subrata Roy story also offers something different from the previous two instalments. Harshad Mehta’s story revolved around the stock market, while Abdul Karim Telgi’s story focused on counterfeit stamp paper. Roy’s saga involves the rise of an enormous business empire, public influence, financial regulations and a lengthy legal battle.
That combination could give Scam 2010 a distinctive identity of its own.
The Bottom Line
The first look of Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga has officially introduced Siddharth Bodke as Subrata Roy, setting the stage for the next chapter of Hansal Mehta’s popular Scam franchise.
With production now underway and SonyLIV attached as the streaming platform, anticipation is likely to grow as more information about the cast, storyline and release date emerges.
For audiences fascinated by the rise and fall of India’s biggest business personalities, the Subrata Roy saga offers plenty of material for a gripping screen adaptation.
And with Hansal Mehta returning to the franchise, the biggest question is now whether Scam 2010 can create the same impact that made Scam 1992 such a landmark in Indian OTT storytelling.
Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga is currently in production and will stream on SonyLIV. Siddharth Bodke plays the lead role of Subrata Roy. An official release date has not yet been announced.
