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Mafia Queens of India
In the history of the underworld, women have often been written off.
Mafia Queens of India brings them back to the center.
The journey begins with a woman known only as “Cleopatra”. Once a trusted figure in Varadarajan Mudaliar’s empire, she lives in obscurity but still carries an aura of authority. Her guarded story unlocks a box of a gambling queen who carved her own dominion out of numbers, a drug trafficker who used the most ordinary disguises to fool the police, and a madam from Delhi’s G.B. Road who ran her brothel district with utter ruthlessness.
Each tale shows how audacity could be wielded just as effectively by women as by the men who overshadowed them. We travel to the ravines of Chambal where a bandit seeks revenge against those who’d wronged her. In another part of the country, a ponzi scheme dressed in the garb of religion, derails the lives of millions. In colonial Amritsar, a family is hunted by British troops and a woman’s revenge threatens to bring down an empire.
Told with the pace of a thriller and the intimacy of eyewitness reporting, Mafia Queens of India is a portrait of women who broke the rules, rewrote them, and sometimes paid the ultimate price. The myriad tales in these pages are a grim reminder that, in the dark shadows of the mafia, the most dangerous figures are not always the ones you expect to be.
These are women who ruled rackets, outsmarted dons, and bent entire systems to their will.
Mafia Queens of India brings them back to the center.
The journey begins with a woman known only as “Cleopatra”. Once a trusted figure in Varadarajan Mudaliar’s empire, she lives in obscurity but still carries an aura of authority. Her guarded story unlocks a box of a gambling queen who carved her own dominion out of numbers, a drug trafficker who used the most ordinary disguises to fool the police, and a madam from Delhi’s G.B. Road who ran her brothel district with utter ruthlessness.
Each tale shows how audacity could be wielded just as effectively by women as by the men who overshadowed them. We travel to the ravines of Chambal where a bandit seeks revenge against those who’d wronged her. In another part of the country, a ponzi scheme dressed in the garb of religion, derails the lives of millions. In colonial Amritsar, a family is hunted by British troops and a woman’s revenge threatens to bring down an empire.
Told with the pace of a thriller and the intimacy of eyewitness reporting, Mafia Queens of India is a portrait of women who broke the rules, rewrote them, and sometimes paid the ultimate price. The myriad tales in these pages are a grim reminder that, in the dark shadows of the mafia, the most dangerous figures are not always the ones you expect to be.
These are women who ruled rackets, outsmarted dons, and bent entire systems to their will.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2025
5 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
S. Hussain Zaidi
25 books571 followersS. Hussain Zaidi is a prominent Indian author, journalist, and screenwriter celebrated for his invaluable contributions to the world of crime reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling. Born on February 28, 1962, in Mumbai, India, Zaidi has left an indelible mark on the literary and cinematic landscapes of India, particularly in the realm of crime and the Mumbai underworld.
S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.
Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.
"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.
"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.
S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:
"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.
S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.
Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.
"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.
"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.
S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:
"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 20, 2025
As a long-time reader and an admirer of Hussain Zaidi, Mafia Queens of India is another reminder of why his storytelling stands in a league of its own. The book is gripping, meticulously researched, and written with the restraint and respect such complex subjects demand. Zaidi doesn’t sensationalize—he contextualizes, allowing readers to understand the social, political, and personal forces that shaped these formidable women.
The chapter on Jenabai is especially striking. It stands out not for shock value, but for its quiet power. Jenabai emerges not merely as a criminal figure, but as a product of her time—sharp, resilient, and operating in a brutal, male-dominated underworld with uncanny instinct and authority. Zaidi’s portrayal captures her contradictions with balance: strength without glorification, vulnerability without sympathy.
As a fan, I feel this book reflects Hussain Zaidi at his best—measured, insightful, and deeply human. Mafia Queens of India isn’t just about crime; it’s about power, survival, and the invisible forces that shape history from the shadows.
The chapter on Jenabai is especially striking. It stands out not for shock value, but for its quiet power. Jenabai emerges not merely as a criminal figure, but as a product of her time—sharp, resilient, and operating in a brutal, male-dominated underworld with uncanny instinct and authority. Zaidi’s portrayal captures her contradictions with balance: strength without glorification, vulnerability without sympathy.
As a fan, I feel this book reflects Hussain Zaidi at his best—measured, insightful, and deeply human. Mafia Queens of India isn’t just about crime; it’s about power, survival, and the invisible forces that shape history from the shadows.
Displaying 1 of 1 review