13 years of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai: From Ajay Devgn to Emraan Hashmi, who played what in the Milan Luthria directorial

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai is a Bollywood crime drama film released in 2010. Directed by Milan Luthria and produced by Ekta Kapoor, the movie is set in the 1970s and revolves around the world of the Mumbai underworld.

The film's story is based on real-life incidents and characters from the Mumbai mafia during the 1970s. It follows the rise of Sultan Mirza, played by Ajay Devgn, who starts as a small-time smuggler and gradually becomes a powerful underworld don. Sultan Mirza is known for his charisma and sense of honour among his fellow gangsters and the people of Mumbai.

On the other hand, Emraan Hashmi portrays the character of Shoaib Khan, a young and ambitious gangster who aspires to overthrow Sultan Mirza and take control of Mumbai's underworld. His obsession with power and rivalry with Sultan Mirza form the core of the film's conflict.

The film also features Kangana Ranaut as Rehana, Sultan Mirza's love interest, and Prachi Desai as Mumtaz, Shoaib Khan's romantic interest. Randeep Hooda plays the role of ACP Agnel Wilson, a police officer determined to bring down the mafia.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai is known for its captivating narrative, powerful performances, and period-specific detailing. It also features iconic dialogues and a memorable soundtrack, including songs like Pee Loon and Tum Jo Aaye.

The film received critical acclaim and was well-received by the audience, becoming a commercial success at the box office. It remains one of the notable crime dramas in Bollywood and has contributed to the popularity of gangster films in Indian cinema.

Remember what each actor played in the film? From Ajay Devgn to Emraan Hashmi, we’re here to give you a reminder as you celebrate 13 years of this iconic film…

Ajay Devgn

In Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Ajay Devgn portrayed the character of Sultan Mirza, a powerful and influential underworld don based in Mumbai during the 1970s. Sultan Mirza is depicted as a charismatic and respected figure among the people of Mumbai, and he rises from being a small-time smuggler to becoming one of the most prominent gangsters in the city.

As Sultan Mirza, Ajay Devgn showcased his acting prowess, portraying the don with depth and intensity. His character is known for his sense of honouur, principles and a unique code of conduct in the otherwise ruthless world of crime. He becomes a prominent figure in the underworld, and the film delves into his rise to power and his struggles to maintain control over Mumbai's illicit activities.

Ajay Devgn's performance as Sultan Mirza was well-received by both critics and audiences, contributing to the film's success. His portrayal of the suave and authoritative don added depth and authenticity to the character, making it one of the highlights of the film.

Emraan Hashmi

In Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Emraan Hashmi played the character of Shoaib Khan, a young and ambitious gangster who aspires to rise to power in Mumbai's underworld during the 1970s. Shoaib Khan is depicted as a cunning and ruthless individual with a strong desire for control and dominance.

As Shoaib Khan, Emraan Hashmi portrayed the role of an up-and-coming gangster who becomes a significant rival to the established don, Sultan Mirza, played by Ajay Devgn. The film showcases Shoaib's journey from a small-time crook to a powerful and influential figure in the Mumbai underworld.

Emraan Hashmi's performance as Shoaib Khan was widely appreciated, as he effectively captured the nuances of the character's ambition, cunning, and determination. His portrayal added an intriguing layer to the film's conflict between Sultan Mirza and Shoaib Khan, making their rivalry a central theme of the movie.

The character of Shoaib Khan is inspired by real-life gangster Dawood Ibrahim, who had a significant presence in Mumbai's underworld during that era. Emraan Hashmi's portrayal of the character contributed to the film's success and further established him as a versatile actor in Bollywood.

Kangana Ranaut

In Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Rehana was a character portrayed by Kangana Ranaut. Rehana is a struggling actress who becomes romantically involved with Sultan Mirza, played by Ajay Devgn.

Rehana's character adds an emotional and romantic aspect to the film, as she falls in love with Sultan Mirza, the powerful and respected underworld don. Their relationship faces challenges and complexities due to Sultan Mirza's involvement in the criminal world and the dangers it brings to their lives.

Kangana Ranaut's portrayal of Rehana received praise for her performance and chemistry with Ajay Devgn's character, adding depth to the love story amidst the backdrop of the Mumbai underworld during the 1970s.

Prachi Desai

In Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Prachi Desai played the character of Mumtaz. Mumtaz is a young and aspiring actress in the film industry, and she becomes romantically involved with Emraan Hashmi's character, Shoaib Khan.

Mumtaz's character is an essential part of the film's narrative, as her relationship with Shoaib Khan plays a significant role in his rise in the Mumbai underworld. Their love story adds emotional depth to Shoaib's character, showcasing a softer and more vulnerable side of the ambitious gangster.

Prachi Desai's portrayal of Mumtaz received positive reviews, and she brought charm and authenticity to the character. Her performance as the aspiring actress who falls in love with a powerful gangster contributed to the film's success and added a romantic angle to the crime drama.

Randeep Hooda

In Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Randeep Hooda played the character of ACP Agnel Wilson. ACP Agnel Wilson is a police officer who is determined to bring down the Mumbai underworld and fight against crime in the city.

He is shown as a dedicated and honest police officer, working tirelessly to curb the activities of gangsters and maintain law and order. ACP Agnel Wilson becomes involved in the cat-and-mouse game with the underworld dons, Sultan Mirza (played by Ajay Devgn) and Shoaib Khan (played by Emraan Hashmi), as he attempts to apprehend them and bring them to justice.

Randeep Hooda's portrayal of ACP Agnel Wilson was highly appreciated for its intensity and conviction. His performance added a strong law enforcement perspective to the film's narrative, creating an engaging conflict between the police and the gangsters in the backdrop of 1970s Mumbai.

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.