Satya 1998

Satya, J. D. Chakravarthi arrives in Mumbai in search of work and quickly finds a job at a dance bar. Jagga, Jeeva, a ruthless criminal, throws the glass of whiskey Satya had prepared for him in his face simply because he dislikes the taste. Later, another small-time enforcer, Pakya, Sushant Singh, who works for Jagga, demands money from Satya. Satya refuses to pay and, in a moment of defiance, slashes Pakya’s face with a razor. Pakya runs back to Jagga and informs him of the attack, and Jagga’s goons beat Satya mercilessly.

Bapu and Vitthal Manjrekar murder a film producer on Bhiku Mhatre’s orders, setting off a chain of crime and consequence. Manjrekar is captured by the police during the getaway and, under questioning, admits Mhatre’s involvement to Inspector Khandilkar, resulting in Mhatre’s arrest. Jagga mocks Satya when he serves drinks, the two clash, and Jagga later frames Satya for procuring. In prison, Satya and Mhatre clash, and Mhatre, impressed by Satya’s courage, arranges his release through Chandrakant Mule, a shrewd lawyer. Satya is given a flat by Kallu Mama and meets Vidya, his neighbor and an aspiring singer who will become central to his world.

Manjrekar denies any link to Mhatre in court, and Mhatre is released. With Mhatre’s help, Satya shoots Jagga in the dance bar and joins Mhatre’s growing operation. Malhotra, a builder extorted by Kallu Mama, asks them to meet him for the money, and Satya, Mhatre, and the gang are ambushed. Under interrogation, they admit to working for Guru Narayan, a rival gang leader. Vidya is initially rejected by music director Renusagar, who later signs her for a project after Satya threatens him. Vidya and Satya’s relationship deepens as they navigate a brutal world built on loyalty and fear.

Guru Narayan arrives in Mumbai, and Mhatre’s gang plans to kill him but backs off under Bhau Thakurdas Jhawle’s political pressure to avoid a gang war. Bhau warns both him and Guru Narayan to stay out of trouble. Guru Narayan mutters on a call that he wants to kill Satya to avenge Jagga’s murder, a plan not heard by Mhatre, who, under Bhau’s pressure, agrees to keep the peace. Yet Satya privately tells Mhatre that if they don’t strike first, Guru Narayan will strike them down. The Mhatre gang kills Guru Narayan, drawing Satya and Bhau into a direct confrontation.

A new police commissioner, Amod Shukla, is appointed as crime rises, and Bhau negotiates a shaky truce by forgiving Mhatre and his crew for past deeds. The police corner a group of criminals, including a member of Mhatre’s gang, Chander Khote, in a raid. Following Satya’s lead, Shukla is targeted by Bhau’s men to send a message to the force. Bhau wins the election by a landslide, aided by Mhatre’s support, cementing the political-criminal alliance at the heart of the city.

Satya and Vidya go to the cinema, but during the intermission, Pakya spots Satya and alerts the police. Inspector Khandilkar arrives, ordering every door sealed except one, planning to trap Satya as he exits. Satya fires a blank cartridge at the ground to incite a stampede and escapes with Vidya. Afraid of losing her, Satya contemplates moving to Dubai with Vidya, while Mhatre suggests the plan to relocate them. That night, Mhatre visits Bhau’s home with Kallu Mama and Mule to celebrate the victory, only to be killed by Bhau for defying orders and killing Narayan. Satya tells Vidya he has a Dubai job offer when the police close in, but he is forced to flee as the truth about his criminal life becomes clearer to those around him.

Satya reaches Kallu Mama’s residence, where Mule orders Mama to kill Satya. Mama refuses and instead kills Mule, prompting a violent response from Satya and Mama as they seek vengeance for Mhatre’s murder. During Ganesh Chaturthi on a beach, Satya fatally wounds Bhau and leaves with Mama. He intends to escort Vidya to safety, but first he goes to her house. Mama waits in the car, while Satya pleads with Vidya at the door. Khandilkar arrives, shoots Mama, and Satya is left mortally wounded, collapsing just inches from Vidya as he dies.