Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of Mumbai Mafia - Paperback

The Definitive Account of Mumbai's Underworld

'By far the best book on Mumbai Mafia.' - Anil Kapoor
'If it wasn't for this book there would be no Shootout at Wadala.' - Sanjay Gupta
'Hussain Zaidi is a master storyteller.' - John Abraham

Dongri to Dubai is the first comprehensive chronicle of the Mumbai mafia's history, spanning six decades of organized crime in India's financial capital. This meticulously researched account traces the evolution of Mumbai's underworld from its origins to its international expansion.

The Rise of Dawood Ibrahim

At the heart of this narrative is Dawood Ibrahim, a young man from Dongri who rose to become one of the world's most wanted criminals. Despite having a father in the police force, Dawood was initiated into crime as a pawn in the hands of the Mumbai police. Through his bravado, cunningness, focus, ambition, and lust for power, he systematically eliminated the competition and ultimately became the Mumbai police's own nemesis.

Key Figures and Milestones

The book chronicles the stories of notorious gangsters who shaped Mumbai's criminal landscape, including Haji Mastan, Karim Lala, Varadarajan Mudaliar, Chhota Rajan, and Abu Salem. It documents several pivotal moments in Indian crime history: the rise of the Pathans, the formation of the Dawood gang, the first ever supari (contract killing), and the mafia's nefarious infiltration into Bollywood.

From Mumbai to Karachi

The narrative follows Dawood's strategic move to Karachi and examines Pakistan's subsequent alleged role in sheltering one of the most wanted persons in the world. This geographical shift transformed local gang warfare into an international criminal enterprise with far-reaching implications.

Comprehensive Research and Gripping Narrative

S. Hussain Zaidi provides an in-depth account of the mafia's games of supremacy and internecine warfare. The book offers unprecedented insight into the organizational structure, operational methods, and power dynamics that defined Mumbai's underworld. This is not just a collection of crime stories—it's a detailed examination of how organized crime evolved in India and its impact on society, politics, and entertainment.

For readers interested in true crime, criminal history, and the dark underbelly of one of the world's largest cities, Dongri to Dubai delivers an authoritative and compelling account that has influenced films and shaped public understanding of Mumbai's mafia.