If you loved the gripping narrative and clever twists of Lucky Baskhar, you’re in for a treat, Scam-themed movies and shows have a unique charm, they keep you hooked with high-stakes cons, mind games and the thrill of outsmarting the system. From real-life-inspired dramas to fictional heists, here’s a curated list of 20 scam-based movies and series that match the vibe of Lucky Baskhar. Check into stories of cunning masterminds, audacious plans & the thin line between right and wrong all without spoilers!
1. Special 26 (2013)
Language: Hindi
Story: A group of con artists posing as CBI officers execute daring raids on corrupt politicians and businessmen. But when a real cop starts closing in, their flawless plans begin to unravel.
Why Watch? Inspired by the 1987 Opera House heist in Mumbai, this Neeraj Pandey thriller blends suspense and nostalgia. Anupam Kher and Akshay Kumar deliver career-best performances.
2. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020)
Language: Hindi
Story: This series chronicles the rise and fall of Harshad Mehta, the stockbroker who manipulated the Indian stock market in the 1990s. Greed, power & ambition collide in this true-story adaptation.
Why Watch? Pratik Gandhi’s electrifying performance and razor-sharp writing make this a modern classic. A masterclass in storytelling.
3. Baazaar (2018)
Language: Hindi
Story: A small-town rookie gets entangled in the cutthroat world of Mumbai’s stock market, where a ruthless tycoon plays god with money and lives.
Why Watch? Saif Ali Khan as the morally gray Shakun Kothari is unforgettable. Perfect for fans of The Wolf of Wall Street.
4. Bluffmaster! (2005)
Language: Hindi
Story: A seasoned conman partners with a quirky sidekick to pull off one last mega scam but love and betrayal complicate everything.
Why Watch? A mix of humor, romance and clever cons. Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh’s chemistry is gold.
5. Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega (2020)
Language: Hindi
Story: In a small Jharkhand town, a gang of young men run a phishing racket, scamming people across India until a politician and a cop decide to shut them down.
Why Watch? A gritty, realistic look at India’s cybercrime underworld. Darkly entertaining.
6. The Big Bull (2021)
Language: Hindi
Story: A middle-class man becomes a financial prodigy, building an empire through stock market manipulation—until his lies catch up.
Why Watch? Inspired by Harshad Mehta’s scams, this film explores ambition and moral decay.
7. Soodhu Kavvum (2013)
Language: Tamil
Story: A dysfunctional gang of kidnappers takes on a risky job, only to find themselves in a chaotic, darkly comic mess.
Why Watch? Director Nalan Kumarasamy reinvents the crime-comedy genre. Vijay Sethupathi’s quirky role is iconic.
8. Scam 2003: The Telgi Story (2023)
Language: Hindi
Story: The follow-up to Scam 1992, this series dives into Abdul Karim Telgi’s counterfeit stamp paper racket, a scam that shook India.
Why Watch? Gagan Dev Riar’s portrayal of Telgi is chilling. A gripping organized crime.
9. Bad Boy Billionaires: India (2020)
Language: Hindi/English (Documentary)
Story: This docuseries profiles India’s most infamous tycoons Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Subrata Roy & their spectacular downfalls.
Why Watch? Real-life drama that’s stranger than fiction. A must-watch for true-crime enthusiasts.
10. Farzi (2023)
Language: Hindi
Story: A struggling artist turns to counterfeiting currency to save his family, but a relentless task force officer is on his trail.
Why Watch? Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi clash in this cat-and-mouse thriller. Stylish and suspenseful.
11. Raja Natwarlal (2014)
Language: Hindi
Story: A small-time conman seeks revenge against a ruthless businessman by orchestrating an elaborate heist.
Why Watch? Emraan Hashmi plays the charming anti-hero with a twisty plot and a killer soundtrack.
12. Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (2020)
Language: Tamil
Story: Two tech-savvy lovers meet their match in a detective while pulling off digital heists. Romance and scams collide.
Why Watch? A breezy, modern caper with a surprising emotional core. Dulquer Salmaan is effortlessly cool.
13. Sathuranga Vettai (2014)
Language: Tamil
Story: A smooth-talking conman swindles everyone from farmers to politicians but his biggest challenge is outsmarting his own conscience.
Why Watch? A satirical take on greed and corruption. India’s answer to Catch Me If You Can.
14. Why Cheat India (2019)
Language: Hindi
Story: A man exploits India’s education system by selling exam scams to wealthy students—until his conscience kicks in.
Why Watch? Emraan Hashmi nails the role of a morally ambiguous genius. A scathing critique of systemic corruption.
15. Arjun Suravaram (2019)
Language: Telugu
Story: A journalist uncovers a massive insurance fraud, risking his life to expose the truth.
Why Watch? Nikhil Siddhartha anchors this tight thriller with a socially relevant message.
16. Robin Hood (2009)
Language: Malayalam
Story: Menon, MD of IBI bank is fed up of all the efforts on the part of ACP Harris in solving the recent spate of ATM robberies.
Why Watch? Very Interesting masala entertainer with heart.
17. Mail (2021)
Language: Telugu
Story: A man receives a mysterious email that drags him into a dangerous game of blackmail and corporate espionage.
Why Watch? A slow-burn thriller with a shocking climax. Perfect for fans of Hitchcockian suspense.
18. Bhaje Vaayu Vegam (2024)
Language: Telugu
Story: A tech whiz gets entangled in a high-stakes scam involving drones, politics and revenge.
Why Watch? A fresh mix of action and con artistry. Kartikeya Gummakonda’s performance is a standout.
19. Mayabazar 2016 (2020)
Language: Kannada
Story: Three men, a policeman, a con man and a hopeless romantic, cross paths and realize they are all after the same thing, money. They hatch a plan to pull off a scam but things go awry.
Why Watch? Movie is about events surrounding the 2016 Indian banknote demonetization.
20. Zebra (2024)
Language: Telugu (Upcoming)
Story: A group of white collar scammers become entangled with a vicious criminal as they plan an audacious heist.
Why Watch? A Treat for the Scam Thriller Movie Fans.
Why We Love Scam Stories
Scam movies tap into our fascination with rebellion and intellect. They make us root for the underdog, even if their methods are questionable. Whether it’s the adrenaline of a heist or the shock of real-life cons (cough Harshad Mehta), these stories remind us that truth is often stranger—and juicier—than fiction.
From laugh-out-loud capers (Bluffmaster!) to gritty real-life dramas (Scam 1992), this list has something for every mood.
P.S. Did we miss your favorite scam movie? Let us know in the comments👇