Haji Mastan Biography

Haji Mastan was an Indian gangster and smuggler, who later also dealt in film financing and real estate. Popularly known as the ‘Undisputed Don’ of Mumbai’s underworld, he partied with the who’s who of the city, right from top politicians to Bollywood actors and business magnates. The modern-day gangsters, right from Dawood Ibrahim to Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel to Arun Gowli, were all trained under Haji Mastan. Mastan taught them the nitty-gritty of international smuggling, a craft that he was a master of. However, despite his criminal status, Haji Mastan was never considered a dreaded entity. In spite of having ruled Mumbai for more than two decades, Mastan never killed or shot anyone or got into a brawl with someone. He, in fact, urged the gangsters to stay away from ending human lives, through drugs, guns or any other means. He used to resolve the inter-gang wars and fights. After his imprisonment during the Indian Emergency, Mastan turned into a film producer and real estate businessman. He gave up on illegitimate businesses and turned into an activist and worked for the betterment of the poor and uneducated Muslim youths in the ghetto areas of Bhendi Bazar, Dongri and Nagpada in South Mumbai.