🏀 From Basketball Courts to Bihar’s Crime Chronicles: A Real Talk Over Chai
A few years ago, I used to accompany my kids to their basketball coaching classes. Now, we weren’t allowed to watch the practice sessions inside the stadium, so we mothers would gather in the waiting lounge or corridors, chatting away to pass the time.
During one such typical chai-sipping conversation, a local friend suddenly leaned in and asked,
“Hey Anu, is it true that Bihar is full of criminals like they show in South Indian movies?”
I couldn’t help but smile.
My answer came in the form of a counter-question:
“Is it true that whenever South Indian coconut vendors get upset, they kill people with the same tool they use to peel coconuts?”
I mean seriously—real life isn’t Rakta Charitra!
We all laughed, but it did get me thinking. Stereotypes are powerful. And unfair.
If you're really curious about what Bihar was like around the year 2000—especially during and after the bifurcation when Jharkhand was carved out as the 28th state of India—then trust me, skip the stereotypes and check this out:
🎬 Khakee: The Bihar Chapter on Netflix
This series is based on the real-life experiences of IPS officer Mr. Amit Lodha and adapted from his gripping book, Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught.
So, like me, who prefer the charm of pages over pixels—
Here’s the book:, "Bihar Diaries". It is available on Amazon.
So what’s the story all about?
Bihar during the early 2000s was going through a political and economic upheaval. With Jharkhand taking away the mines and natural wealth, Bihar was left with minimal revenue sources. Crime rose, kidnappings for extortion became rampant, and law enforcement had to battle both politics and criminals to restore order.
I read Bihar Diaries about three years ago—and wow—it was gripping, raw, and at times surprisingly funny!
😂 Edit 1: A Little Laughter from the Pages (in my words, not verbatim)
One of the most dreaded criminals they were chasing was a guy named Horlicks (yes, you read that right). From Begusarai to Nalanda to Nawada, his terror knew no bounds.
And then—plot twist—he was finally found… hiding under a cot.
I kid you not, when he was pulled out, the officer stared in disbelief at the thin, scrawny figure before him and chuckled:
“Abe! Who is this sikiya-pehelwan? Who calls you Horlicks?”
To which the man replied with folded hands,
“Mai-baap, I’ve been thin since childhood. Everyone who saw me would say—‘Horlicks pila do ise!’ And well... the name stuck.”
The so-called "king of terror" turned out to be nothing but a malnourished man begging for mercy. Irony at its best!
So next time someone asks you about Bihar, don’t jump to assumptions made by cinema. Watch the real stories. Read the real voices. You’ll find a land full of resilience, courage, and people with stories far richer than any scripted drama.
From my thoughts to yours — see you next time.
– Anu
Spill. Stir. Stay tuned As Not all drama belongs in court.
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