Suniel Shetty is reportedly in talks to adapt the true-crime book "Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back" into a web series, potentially marking a significant return to the gritty crime drama genre for the actor. The veteran actor, known for his roles in films like "Border" and "Mohra," is said to be deeply interested in the story and is even considering playing the lead role of Shyam Kishore Garikapati, a notorious underworld figure in Mumbai during the 1980s and 1990s.
"Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back," authored by Vijay Shekhar, Raju Santhanam, and Calvin Joshua, chronicles the life of Shyam Kishore Garikapati, also known as "Black Scorpion" in police circles. The book delves into Garikapati's journey through the Mumbai underworld, his involvement in gang rivalries, and his eventual transformation into a businessman after meeting top cop Kiran Bedi in Tihar Jail. The narrative explores themes of crime, conflict, reform, and reinvention, offering a layered and emotionally resonant story.
According to a report by Mid-Day, Shetty has been closely following the book's content and believes it has the potential to be a thrilling web series. A source quoted by the portal stated, "Suniel thinks the story has the potential to be a thrilling web series. He likes such subjects. What makes the story more interesting is how Garikapati — known in the police circles as Black Scorpion — turned his life around after meeting top cop Kiran Bedi in Tihar Jail and eventually became a businessman".
Joshua confirmed Shetty's interest in acquiring the adaptation rights, stating that the actor was fascinated by the story's arc after reading the synopsis. Shetty attended the book launch of "Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back" in Mumbai on February 6, 2026. At the event, he also shared his views regarding Pakistan's decision to potentially boycott their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against India, which was scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, expressing his desire to see the two teams play.
The adaptation of "Black Scorpion" into a web series would mark a new creative direction for Shetty, who currently hosts the business reality show "Bharat Ke Super Founders". Known for his tough on-screen persona, the actor seems keen to explore the digital space with a gritty, real-life story that delves into the complexities of the Mumbai underworld and the transformation of an individual. The discussions surrounding the web series are reportedly in active stages, suggesting that the project is moving forward.