99 (2009) Plot Summary & Timeline

Sachin and Zaramud are two petty criminals operating in the bustling city of Mumbai, making their living by illegally duplicating mobile phone SIM cards. Their operation takes a drastic turn when the police, alerted by the rampant misuse of one of their SIMs, raid their workshop, destroying all their equipment in the process. In a frantic escape, Sachin and Zaramud steal a car, but unfortunately, they end up crashing it. Although they emerge with minor injuries, the car is rendered completely useless. This vehicle belongs to AGM, a well-known bookie in Mumbai, who swiftly tracks them down. Realizing they need to compensate for the damages caused, AGM hires Sachin and Zaramud to work for him until their debt is settled.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, Rahul, played by Boman Irani, works at a currency exchange company, but he has a penchant for betting that keeps getting him into trouble. After being introduced to AGM by Bhuval Ram Kuber, another bookie, he borrows money to wager on an India vs. New Zealand cricket match, only to face bitter disappointment when India loses. Despite being deep in debt to AGM, Rahul continues his gambling habits, engaging in a game of teen patti with JC, a big-time businessman and fellow gambler. In a remarkable turn of events, Rahul successfully calls JC’s bluff, winning the hand, which sparks a lighthearted exchange where JC jokingly vows to defeat Rahul one day.

Sachin and Zaramud then compile a list of individuals who owe AGM money, with Kewal Pandey, a Bhojpuri film actor, at the top, followed closely by Rahul. Given that Rahul is located in Delhi—beyond AGM’s normal jurisdiction—Sachin and Zaramud are dispatched to the capital to recover the money he owes. In Delhi, they book themselves into a luxurious hotel where Sachin finds himself intrigued by Pooja, a hotel floor manager. As they spend time together, they bond over their shared ambition of becoming successful business owners, and Sachin reveals his dream of opening a coffee shop one day, hoping to achieve a “century” in life.

Simultaneously, Rahul faces pressure from Kuber, who sends his goon Dimple to collect his debts. When Rahul fails to pay up, he suffers a beating. In a bid to collect AGM’s debt, Sachin and Zaramud visit Rahul at work, demanding the US$50,000 he has just received. However, their plans go awry when they become victims of theft—losing their belongings, including the money, in the chaos. Luckily for them, the thieves overlook a secret compartment in their briefcase, which eventually ends up in the possession of a salesman who sells stolen goods near Rahul’s office.

Upon discovering their misfortune, the trio decides to place a bet on the upcoming cricket match between India and South Africa, believing they might have insider information. They manage to secure half of Kewal’s owed debt to AGM, which they plan to use for their wager. However, Kuber reappears on the scene, angry and demanding payment, but he soon finds himself on the receiving end of Sachin’s punch. Meanwhile, Rahul engages in a game of cards with JC, where he cleverly tries to glean information about the cricket match. JC inadvertently offers advice, instructing Rahul to bet on South Africa, claiming a key Indian player was bribed to throw the game.

As tensions rise, Kuber reports to AGM that he has been attacked and identifies Sachin and Zaramud as the culprits. AGM dispatches one of his goons to Delhi and follows closely behind. On match day, as Rahul rushes to place the bet, Kuber storms Sachin’s hotel room with AGM’s goon, capturing him. Despite being beaten, Sachin manages to fight back and incapacitate Kuber and the goon. He then reunites with Pooja and Zaramud at the hotel bar, following the match’s progress. To their dismay, India wins, largely due to a brilliant performance from Tendulkar and blunders from the South African team.

Just when all hope seems lost, Rahul appears with the news that he outsmarted JC yet again and bet on India, alongside a side wager on Tendulkar. Sachin heads to pick up their earnings from a garment shop, where Zaramud uncovers recorded conversations from JC’s SIM card, revealing a match-fixing scandal orchestrated by JC himself, which he promptly turns over to the CBI. As Sachin tries to elude the police following their encounter, AGM catches him in their hotel room, at which point he hands over the money bag to AGM. As AGM tries to escape through the lobby, he is confronted by an array of police officers, leading to a barrage of gunfire.

In an unexpected twist, a salesman returns to Rahul’s office with their stolen briefcase, identifying it as his own. Much to Rahul’s relief, the money inside remains untouched. As the story unfolds, Sachin and Zaramud check out of the hotel, only to be surprised by Kewal, who returns the remainder of the debt he owed AGM. In a heartfelt conclusion, viewers witness Sachin and Pooja successfully opening their coffee shop, while Zaramud achieves fame as a fitness advocate. The scandal stemming from JC’s duplicity has been exposed, shedding light on the match-fixing scandal that rocked the cricketing world in 2000.