Haji Mastan Biography 
Haji Mastan also known by the names Bawa and Sultan Mirza was an Indian mobster and smuggler based in Mumbai during 1970s and 1980s. He was the first celebrity gangster of the city who used to give money to producers and film directors for movie production. Very soon he became an influential figure of Bollywood and produced many movies later. He was also well known for his links with the actor Dilip Kumar. He was imprisoned during the emergency period and during this time he learnt Hindi. He was later helped by Aslam Kiratpuri, a well-known journalist by giving him ideas how to deliver speech in public.
The film which gave angry young man tag and instant stardom to Amitabh Bachchan – Deewar was actually inspired from the real life of Haji Mastan. Most recently, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010) directed by Milan Luthria was also based on the lives of real-life gangsters Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim. Ajay Devgan portrayed the role of Haji Mastan in this movie.
Haji Mastan was born Mastan Haider Mirza on March 1, 1926 in Panaikulam village of Tamil Nadu. His father was a poor farmer who came to Mumbai in search of livelihood. Father and son reached the city in 1934. After a lot of hardships, they set up a repairing shop of two-wheelers. It was not too big and young Haji determined that he will become rich and famous one day. He used to observe high society life of Mumbai. Mastan came in contact with Sukur Narayan Bakhia and they divided certain territories among themselves. They became partners and Mastan handled the Mumbai port and Bakhia, the Daman port. His rise was phenomenal.
He was in smuggling business with links to such criminals. He was arrested during emergency period under COFEPOSA. When he came out, he became a reformed person. He spent 18 months in jail. Mastan Mirza began to introduce himself as Haji Mastan. He became a successful distributor and excelled in the cinema business. He also had good relationship with top stars of Bollywood. Salim Khan and Amitabh Bachchan often visited him while the movie Deewar was an upcoming project. Mastan used to travel in a chauffeur driven white Mercedes-Benz, a status symbol in those days.
He read newspapers of Tamil as he was familiar in that language only. Haji Mastan never indulged in smuggling again. He floated a political party and worked for common man delivering speeches. He also joined hands with anti-drug abuse activists like Dr Yusuf Merchant. He has dated many Bollywood heroines and later married one girl named, Sona. Mirza died in 1994 due to cardiac arrest.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 17, 2014
