Hussain Zaidi

Biography:

Syed Hussain Zaidi (born 28 February 1968) is an Indian writer and former investigative journalist, widely known for his extensive work on organized crime. His notable books include Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Black Friday, My Name is Abu Salem, Mumbai Avengers, and Byculla to Bangkok. A highly prolific author, Zaidi publishes under the Blue Salt imprint and has consistently focused on the history and workings of the Mumbai underworld.

Zaidi began his journalism career at The Asian Age, where he rose to the position of resident editor. He later worked with several prominent publications such as The Indian Express, Mid-Day, and Mumbai Mirror. His meticulously researched work on the Mumbai mafia has influenced international writers, including Misha Glenny in McMafia and Vikram Chandra in Sacred Games. During his career, Zaidi also survived a kidnapping incident in Iraq.

Covering the Mumbai mafia for decades, Zaidi authored Black Friday in 2002, which examined the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts that killed around 250 people. The book was adapted into a film of the same name by Anurag Kashyap in 2004. Due to legal challenges from individuals accused in the case, the film’s release was delayed until the Supreme Court permitted it following the TADA court verdict, leading to its eventual release on 9 February 2007.

For Dongri to Dubai, a historical chronicle of the Mumbai underworld, Zaidi conducted an interview with crime lord Dawood Ibrahim, who has been accused of masterminding the 1993 blasts. The book later inspired the film Shootout at Wadala, directed by Sanjay Gupta. Zaidi also served as an associate producer on the HBO documentary Terror in Mumbai, which explored the 26/11 attacks.

In June 2022, Zaidi interviewed former intelligence operative Lucky Bisht, who had previously been imprisoned on charges of civilian murders but was later acquitted due to lack of evidence. Zaidi’s book R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima, detailing the killings of Raju Pargai and Amit Arya, is partly based on this interview.

Several of Zaidi’s works have been adapted for film and television. Kabir Khan’s 2015 film Phantom, starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, was based on Zaidi’s book Mumbai Avengers, with the screenplay developed alongside the author. Excel Entertainment, led by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, is producing the web series Bambay Meri Jaan, adapted from Zaidi’s writing and centered on the early life of Dawood Ibrahim and other gang figures. Netflix’s Class of ’83, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and starring Bobby Deol, was also adapted from Zaidi’s book of the same name.

The Hindi biographical crime film Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, draws inspiration from Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai and portrays the life of Gangubai Kothewali, a powerful brothel owner. Additionally, Zaidi wrote the spy thriller London Confidential: The Chinese Conspiracy, which has been streaming on ZEE5 since September 2020 and revolves around a plot to spread a dangerous infection.

Zaidi has also played a mentoring role in journalism. He guided crime reporter Jigna Vora, influencing her investigative style and writing approach. His impact is evident in her memoir Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison, written after her release from jail following her arrest in connection with journalist J. Dey’s murder. The book’s film rights were later acquired by Matchbox Pictures and was co-published by Penguin Random House and Blue Salt.