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Ghalib Danger
Kamran Khan is a cocky young taxi driver trying to make it big in Mumbai. But his life transforms when he saves a don called Mirza from being killed. What seems like a good deed however has a cruel payback and in a single moment, Kamran loses everything dear to him. This is when Mirza, in gratitude, takes Kamran under his wing and the young man gets drawn into the mafia boss's dangerous world of cops and rival gangsters, eventually taking over from him. Kamran also inherits Mirza's philosophy that all of life's problems can be solved through Ghalib's poetry. Soon, the innocent taxi driver has cops, criminals and even cabinet ministers at his beck and call. And he has a new name Ghalib Danger.
255 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 21, 2014
Neeraj Pandey is a well known film maker who has done movies such as The Wednesday. This book is his debut novel. With this intriguing title, it was an easy decision for me to pick this off the shelves. It did not disappoint me.
The story is about the Mumbai underworld narrated in the Bollywood masala movie style. Kamram Khan migrates to Mumbai and starts off as an honest, hardworking taxi driver with dreams of making it big. His life changes dramatically when he ends up saving the life of Mirza, a powerful underworld don. The grateful underworld boss ultimately takes him under his wing and allows him to grow and take control of the lucrative area of extortion. With his own cocky style, intelligence and courage Kamran grows Mirza’s empire much to the chagrin of several detractors. You have characters with names like Murli Highway and Yakub Mental. The former gets his name since he is the gangster who rules a certain section of a highway. No points for guessing why Yakub Mental is so called.
Mirza loves the verses of Ghalib. Kamran begins to cultivate a liking for Ghalib’s verses even though he is practically uneducated and even though he doesn’t often get the deep meaning behind the verses. In time, Kamram acquires the name of Ghalib Danger.
Ghalib’s verses are cleverly intertwined in the narrative and I simply loved this twist in the book. For me, this alone was “paisa vasool”!
The plot, the story line and perhaps even the conversations are all predictable – like a nice masala movie. If you are looking for a book in which there is an unusual story, or a compelling prose that makes you reach for a dictionary at least three times in a page, or expounds a deep philosophy, simply forget it. One doesn't watch a Bollywood masala movie for any of these characteristics, but can enjoy it immensely. So it is with this book.
But one aspect of the Author’s intent left me confounded. He provides a quote about Arrah in Bihar his Acknowledgement and also provides an English translation. Inside the book, he also quotes a prayer in Arabic that Kamran recites along with an English translation. The book is sprinkled with some lovely couplets from Ghalib, but no translations in English. Wonder why! The uniqueness of this particular book is in these couplets of Ghalib. Not providing an English translation for readers to appreciate what it means in the context of the story is a definite bummer!
The main characters are well developed and the story told at a brisk pace. Like you would hate to pause a good masala movie overnight and resume watching it the next day, this book makes you hate reaching for the bookmark. If you love Bollywood masala movies (and possibly Ghalib), you should read this. Should you buy this? Well, ahem… Now don’t ask me to lend you my copy of the book. I will not lend you my copy because I want to go back to some of those verses of Ghalib and learn to appreciate them!
The story is about the Mumbai underworld narrated in the Bollywood masala movie style. Kamram Khan migrates to Mumbai and starts off as an honest, hardworking taxi driver with dreams of making it big. His life changes dramatically when he ends up saving the life of Mirza, a powerful underworld don. The grateful underworld boss ultimately takes him under his wing and allows him to grow and take control of the lucrative area of extortion. With his own cocky style, intelligence and courage Kamran grows Mirza’s empire much to the chagrin of several detractors. You have characters with names like Murli Highway and Yakub Mental. The former gets his name since he is the gangster who rules a certain section of a highway. No points for guessing why Yakub Mental is so called.
Mirza loves the verses of Ghalib. Kamran begins to cultivate a liking for Ghalib’s verses even though he is practically uneducated and even though he doesn’t often get the deep meaning behind the verses. In time, Kamram acquires the name of Ghalib Danger.
Ghalib’s verses are cleverly intertwined in the narrative and I simply loved this twist in the book. For me, this alone was “paisa vasool”!
The plot, the story line and perhaps even the conversations are all predictable – like a nice masala movie. If you are looking for a book in which there is an unusual story, or a compelling prose that makes you reach for a dictionary at least three times in a page, or expounds a deep philosophy, simply forget it. One doesn't watch a Bollywood masala movie for any of these characteristics, but can enjoy it immensely. So it is with this book.
But one aspect of the Author’s intent left me confounded. He provides a quote about Arrah in Bihar his Acknowledgement and also provides an English translation. Inside the book, he also quotes a prayer in Arabic that Kamran recites along with an English translation. The book is sprinkled with some lovely couplets from Ghalib, but no translations in English. Wonder why! The uniqueness of this particular book is in these couplets of Ghalib. Not providing an English translation for readers to appreciate what it means in the context of the story is a definite bummer!
The main characters are well developed and the story told at a brisk pace. Like you would hate to pause a good masala movie overnight and resume watching it the next day, this book makes you hate reaching for the bookmark. If you love Bollywood masala movies (and possibly Ghalib), you should read this. Should you buy this? Well, ahem… Now don’t ask me to lend you my copy of the book. I will not lend you my copy because I want to go back to some of those verses of Ghalib and learn to appreciate them!
March 6, 2014
If one had to point out why Neeraj Pandey is one of the most respected writer-directors in the Indian film industry right now, the answer would be because of the highly original & extremely entertaining stories he seeks to tell through the medium of cinema, evident in both his films till date - "A Wednesday" and more recently, "Special 26". And as he ventures into previously unexplored territory with his first novel, the end result is not very dissimilar.
Following a non-linear style of narration, "Ghalib Danger" opens in Paris, 2007 as the protagonist Kamran Khan strolls into a nearby departmental store to pick up a few things, only to find himself surrounded at gunpoint by policemen. It is then revealed he is a wanted man back in India on multiple counts. The plot then proceeds to the present day when Kamran is about to walk out of jail on bail & hereon his story is told mostly in flashbacks - how a honest, hardworking taxi driver in Mumbai turns into the most feared criminal in the city by a spate of unforseen (and unfortunate) circumstances. This twist of fate sees him becoming the protege of dreaded mafia don Mirza, who believes the solution to every problem in life lies in Mirza Ghalib's poetry. Kamran inherits this philosophy as well & the rest of the plot delineates his transformation to Ghalib Danger.
As the blurb from acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah rightly points out, this book is a "delectable dish" for anyone who loves a masala film. "Ghalib Danger" reads like a masala potboiler from pretty much every angle & there is much to be enjoyed here. Noir lies at its core and so this book is not short on blood & gore, but it is never unnecessary & over-the-top.
The book is not short on characters but Pandey does full justice to both the central as well as peripheral ones & some of them, especially the mafia dons - Mirza Azmat, Yakub Mental & Farookh Khitkhit stand out as being extremely well-written. The women in Kamran's life also get sizeable roles (unlike the molls we get to see in most Bollywood gangster films) - be it the lovely Salma who breaks his heart or Sonia, who tries in vain to mend it.
Since the name Ghalib is present in the title itself, there is a substantial amount of his poetry that appears at different junctures of the plot. Now, my limited knowledge of Urdu meant the meaning of most of it was lost on me but this literary device would undeniably work in favour of the book provided one understands Ghalib's poetry, since each verse resonates with a particular situation Kamran is in at that moment.
"Ghalib Danger" might eventually feel like 'nothing new under the sun' to some, but it is just like good old wine in a new bottle - much like those stories we've heard before but never tire of being recounted again & again. Highly recommended for those who enjoy pacy, first-rate crime noir.
Following a non-linear style of narration, "Ghalib Danger" opens in Paris, 2007 as the protagonist Kamran Khan strolls into a nearby departmental store to pick up a few things, only to find himself surrounded at gunpoint by policemen. It is then revealed he is a wanted man back in India on multiple counts. The plot then proceeds to the present day when Kamran is about to walk out of jail on bail & hereon his story is told mostly in flashbacks - how a honest, hardworking taxi driver in Mumbai turns into the most feared criminal in the city by a spate of unforseen (and unfortunate) circumstances. This twist of fate sees him becoming the protege of dreaded mafia don Mirza, who believes the solution to every problem in life lies in Mirza Ghalib's poetry. Kamran inherits this philosophy as well & the rest of the plot delineates his transformation to Ghalib Danger.
As the blurb from acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah rightly points out, this book is a "delectable dish" for anyone who loves a masala film. "Ghalib Danger" reads like a masala potboiler from pretty much every angle & there is much to be enjoyed here. Noir lies at its core and so this book is not short on blood & gore, but it is never unnecessary & over-the-top.
The book is not short on characters but Pandey does full justice to both the central as well as peripheral ones & some of them, especially the mafia dons - Mirza Azmat, Yakub Mental & Farookh Khitkhit stand out as being extremely well-written. The women in Kamran's life also get sizeable roles (unlike the molls we get to see in most Bollywood gangster films) - be it the lovely Salma who breaks his heart or Sonia, who tries in vain to mend it.
Since the name Ghalib is present in the title itself, there is a substantial amount of his poetry that appears at different junctures of the plot. Now, my limited knowledge of Urdu meant the meaning of most of it was lost on me but this literary device would undeniably work in favour of the book provided one understands Ghalib's poetry, since each verse resonates with a particular situation Kamran is in at that moment.
"Ghalib Danger" might eventually feel like 'nothing new under the sun' to some, but it is just like good old wine in a new bottle - much like those stories we've heard before but never tire of being recounted again & again. Highly recommended for those who enjoy pacy, first-rate crime noir.
January 1, 2015
Good One.. Definitely can be in Film.. Akshay Kumar will be very well suited for Kamran Ali Khan
November 21, 2017
I should start with a disclosure. I love Neeraj Pandey's filmography. Usually the story lines are tight, characters are well written and there is a general eye for detail. In a nutshell, he doesn't take audience for granted. And did I forget to mention that his movies are stylish, which is unheard of in Indian movie industry. Remember, I am not talking of them being garish!
Now with that out of the way, I must also point out that none of that is true about this book. It reads more like a screenplay for a wannabe tier-2 movie. Every turn in the story, can be seen coming from miles. Characters are pretty monotonous and clichéd. At best this is a cheap copy of Shantaram, at worst it's a waste of time.
I did finish it in a single seating because I wanted to finish it but then, I would've watched a movie in half the time if this was it. Maybe, this is what happens if a 'bollywood' director decides to write a pot boiler.
Btw, I hate that term - bollywood, because it shows exactly what's wrong with Indian movies - lack of originality. The same is true for this book. Don't.
Now with that out of the way, I must also point out that none of that is true about this book. It reads more like a screenplay for a wannabe tier-2 movie. Every turn in the story, can be seen coming from miles. Characters are pretty monotonous and clichéd. At best this is a cheap copy of Shantaram, at worst it's a waste of time.
I did finish it in a single seating because I wanted to finish it but then, I would've watched a movie in half the time if this was it. Maybe, this is what happens if a 'bollywood' director decides to write a pot boiler.
Btw, I hate that term - bollywood, because it shows exactly what's wrong with Indian movies - lack of originality. The same is true for this book. Don't.
December 18, 2022
Movie lovers should know the popular director, Neeraj Pandey as the person behind such very good films as A Wednesday, Special 26, Baby, M S Dhoni: the Untold Story and some very watchable serials like Special Ops 1 & Special Ops 1.5 etc.
I just picked up this book out of interest and curiosity. The book is really entertaining and when reading you feel like you're watching it on a screen. That's the success of a good writer, who knows his writing craft.
In Tamil, when you read the books written by the popular writer Sujatha (pen name of Mr. S. Rangarajan), you tend the get same feeling.
I just picked up this book out of interest and curiosity. The book is really entertaining and when reading you feel like you're watching it on a screen. That's the success of a good writer, who knows his writing craft.
In Tamil, when you read the books written by the popular writer Sujatha (pen name of Mr. S. Rangarajan), you tend the get same feeling.
January 8, 2025
A highly entertaining novel, it is as good as a commercial "masala" movie, with engaging characters and through everyday language. Neeraj Pandey certainly paints a picture through his simple narration and does a darn good job of it.
September 7, 2018
Apart from occasional good chapters, the book is not a great read. Got to learn a lot out of it about relations, friendship, betrayal, loyalty, love, pain and joy.
July 19, 2020
nail-biting till the last page..
August 6, 2020
The way neeraj sir drives his story throughout the pages of books. Thats outstanding.
April 4, 2020
-This is a book about taxi driver whose life changes when he saves a don from being killed.
-Since writer is a director of films such as A Wednesday, Special 26,etc.he ensures that the book will hold interest of readers till end.
-Even though the book is intriguing,it sometimes become over dramatic.
-Writer has used Mirza Ghalib's gazals in every chapter but it will be much better if these gazals are typed in hindi instead of english.(Hindi gazals are typed in English)
-Each character in this book is linked with each other very interestingly causing this book worth a read.
-Since writer is a director of films such as A Wednesday, Special 26,etc.he ensures that the book will hold interest of readers till end.
-Even though the book is intriguing,it sometimes become over dramatic.
-Writer has used Mirza Ghalib's gazals in every chapter but it will be much better if these gazals are typed in hindi instead of english.(Hindi gazals are typed in English)
-Each character in this book is linked with each other very interestingly causing this book worth a read.
October 25, 2015
this is Neeraj Pandey's debut book.
It's a story full of masala & tadka about an underworld don.
Probably written with clear intentions of adapting it into a movie.
But what makes it different is the sprinkling of Ghalib's couplets every few pages.
The book is not for people who love literary work. But if you want to write a simple book, this is the way you should debut. Simple writing, good pace & interesting characters.
Mirza Azmat, Murli Highway, Yakub Mental & Farookh Khitkhit..
My only complaint, book should have been another 100 pages long..
And with every Ghalib's couplets, author should have provided translation..
In book, Mirza gives reason for this,
‘you have to be patient with Ghalib, court the poetry, listen to it again n again, fall in love with it n only than u have chance to understand it..’
My take, get your copy, read it twice, once for story n IInd for poetry..
I did it..
It's a story full of masala & tadka about an underworld don.
Probably written with clear intentions of adapting it into a movie.
But what makes it different is the sprinkling of Ghalib's couplets every few pages.
The book is not for people who love literary work. But if you want to write a simple book, this is the way you should debut. Simple writing, good pace & interesting characters.
Mirza Azmat, Murli Highway, Yakub Mental & Farookh Khitkhit..
My only complaint, book should have been another 100 pages long..
And with every Ghalib's couplets, author should have provided translation..
In book, Mirza gives reason for this,
‘you have to be patient with Ghalib, court the poetry, listen to it again n again, fall in love with it n only than u have chance to understand it..’
My take, get your copy, read it twice, once for story n IInd for poetry..
I did it..
August 14, 2015
Had it not been written by the director of "A Wednesday", I wouldn't have picked this book up. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed.
The story is fast-paced with all the necessary ingredients, but is predictable. The sequence plays out like a masala Bollywood movie. Neeraj Pandey could have made it into a successful movie, but as a novel it is not up there. Interspersing Ghalib's poetry in the narration would have worked if the meaning was also given somewhere; it's difficult to appreciate the relevance otherwise.
In all, a quick read that doesn't tax the reader much provided one doesn't venture to understand the poetry.
The story is fast-paced with all the necessary ingredients, but is predictable. The sequence plays out like a masala Bollywood movie. Neeraj Pandey could have made it into a successful movie, but as a novel it is not up there. Interspersing Ghalib's poetry in the narration would have worked if the meaning was also given somewhere; it's difficult to appreciate the relevance otherwise.
In all, a quick read that doesn't tax the reader much provided one doesn't venture to understand the poetry.
February 23, 2015
The character of Kamran Khan the don, who goes by the name of Ghalib Danger in the Mumbai underworld, is strong and engaging. The narrative is gripping and extremely readable though I skipped the Ghalib’s verse that appeared every few pages as I found it rather awkward to read Urdu written in English. The twists and turns in the plot kept me turning the pages for sure.
The section breaks in a few chapters are not consistent though, particularly in the first half, which blurred the sequence of events in my mind.
Overall, an enjoyable read. A good desi thriller.
The section breaks in a few chapters are not consistent though, particularly in the first half, which blurred the sequence of events in my mind.
Overall, an enjoyable read. A good desi thriller.
April 11, 2015
A Bollywood-ish crime thriller by first time author, Neeraj Pandey - the writer/director of "A Wednesday", "Ghalib Danger" profiles the rise & fall of fictional Mumbai gangster Kamran Khan. It is predictable stuff for most part, written in a very Bollywood script(?) style. Pandey ends each chapter with Mirza Ghalib couplets for some reason. Perhaps I would have liked it better if I had a head for poetry. A fast read, though.
October 27, 2014
I wanted to read a novel not some rough script with intention of turning that script into movie someday.. Sorry Neeraj sir, even though you are awesome director, your transformation as a write for this particular novel turned out to be a disaster..
December 22, 2013
story reads like a movie script..would turn into a blockbuster
January 15, 2014
Exploring Bollywood Masala flick with Ghalib!!
July 29, 2016
Bad. Avoidable.
May 11, 2014
amazing read thoroughly enjoyed it. breezed through the book in two days time.
must be made into a movie.
must be made into a movie.
April 23, 2014
Quite readable, anchored as it is in some real events
May 18, 2014
Entertaining..but could have had more depth.
May 31, 2014
The film (if made by the author himself) might be a decent potboiler but the book? A page turner at its best. Ignore.
November 26, 2014
Brilliant, reads like a movie script. Would make an excellent thriller.
November 17, 2014
a nice read !
December 3, 2014
Ghalib Danger, one of the many few which kept me glued to it. Thrilling ,edge of chair read and highly recommended for its surreal portray of Mumbai underworld.
June 12, 2015
awesome plot with twist and turns page Turner & marvellous use of ghalib's poetry
December 13, 2015
picked up this book , bcos of background of neeraj pandey , its a typical mafia story i think resembles a lot to abu salem , but the couplets of ghalib made quite the difference.
good one time read
good one time read
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