The launch of Mafia Queens of India turned into a powerful meeting point between literature and cinema as several prominent personalities from the film industry and literary world gathered in Mumbai. The event, which centered around the evolving portrayal of crime stories, saw a deep and engaging discussion on how women’s narratives in the underworld are reshaping the genre.
The book, authored by veteran journalist S Hussain Zaidi along with Velly Thevar, explores the lives of women who carved out space in the traditionally male-dominated world of crime. The launch brought together notable figures including filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, actor Jaideep Ahlawat, and actress Kirti Kulhari, making the evening a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion where attendees explored the shifting landscape of crime storytelling. Ram Gopal Varma noted that women-led mafia stories bring a “fresh angle” since most crime narratives are traditionally male-centric. Vishal Bhardwaj added that the book’s research expands beyond the glamorised image of Mumbai’s underworld, revealing a wider and more grounded reality of mafia networks across India.
S. Hussain Zaidi shared that the book focuses on 10 profiles of some of the most “dangerous and cunning” women from different parts of the country. He emphasized that the stories go beyond stereotypes, showcasing survival, intelligence, and resilience in environments dominated by power struggles and crime hierarchies.
The discussions also touched upon how crime narratives in cinema and literature often romanticize the underworld, while real-life accounts are far more complex and layered. The presence of filmmakers and actors added a cinematic lens to the conversation, bridging the gap between storytelling and lived realities.
With strong voices from both the literary and film worlds, the event highlighted a growing interest in untold perspectives within crime storytelling. Mafia Queens of India stands as a reminder that the underworld is not just a space of violence and power, but also one where overlooked stories of women demand attention and recognition.