Babloo Srivastav

Babloo Srivastav, also known as Om Prakash, is a formidable gangster whose path crosses with Archana Sharma in Dubai, setting off a chain of events that transforms her into one of India's most wanted female criminals. As the right-hand man of Chhota Rajan, Babloo wields significant power in the underworld, and his relationship with Archana—both as her mentor and her lover—becomes a lethal combination that fuels her descent into a life of crime. His story is intertwined with hers, illustrating how the ambitions of a young woman from Ujjain are shaped and exploited by a seasoned criminal who sees in her a perfect protégé.

Identity and Background

Babloo Srivastav is introduced in the book as a gangster with deep connections to the criminal underworld, operating under the alias Om Prakash. He is described as Chhota Rajan's right hand, a position that places him at the heart of one of Mumbai's most powerful criminal networks. His influence extends beyond India, as he is active in Dubai, where he first encounters Archana. Babloo is portrayed as a man of opulent tastes, living a lifestyle that immediately attracts Archana, who is drawn to his wealth and power. His role as a mentor is central to his character; he takes it upon himself to train Archana into becoming a perfect criminal, recognizing her potential and molding her to serve his own ends.

Life and Plot Trajectory

Babloo's trajectory in the narrative is closely tied to Archana's rise in the criminal world. After meeting her in Dubai, where she had gone as part of pop singer Baba Sehgal's troupe, Babloo is charmed by her and decides to bring her into his fold. He introduces her to his criminal associates and begins training her, and together they form a formidable partnership. Their time in Dubai is short-lived, however, as the couple flees to Nepal, where Babloo is soon arrested and deported to India. Undeterred, Archana follows him, and Babloo arranges for her to live in Sunlight Colony, New Delhi, where she becomes a vital cog in his business. From there, Babloo's influence guides Archana as she executes orders ruthlessly, using her charm to lure unsuspecting kidnap victims. His criminal enterprise expands through her actions, and his possessiveness over her becomes a defining trait that leads to violent consequences.

Relationships and Conflict

Babloo's relationship with Archana is the central dynamic of his story. He is described as being madly in love with her, while she needs him to further her own plans. This imbalance creates a volatile partnership, with Babloo's possessiveness bordering on obsession. He cannot tolerate anyone else getting close to her, and this jealousy has deadly repercussions. Former Nepal minister Mirza Dilshad Beg of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party pays a huge price for his alleged closeness to Archana. After Babloo is deported from Nepal, Beg becomes close to her, infuriating Babloo, who suspects that the minister had not helped prevent his deportation because he wanted Archana all to himself. In June 1998, Beg is killed by Chhota Rajan gangsters while on his way home after visiting his wife in Kathmandu. This murder underscores the lengths to which Babloo will go to protect his claim on Archana, and it highlights the violent world in which both operate.

Change and Ending

Babloo's story does not have a clear resolution in the book, as his fate remains intertwined with Archana's ongoing criminal activities. After her first independent operation in 1998, using the assumed name Salma, Archana masterminds the kidnapping of hotelier Lala Vyas, and the Delhi police raid her apartment, confiscating several automatic rifles and learning details of the gang's earlier operations. Babloo's influence is evident in these operations, but his personal story fades into the background as Archana's exploits take center stage. The book notes that Archana continues to have brief flings, but she remains the jewel in Babloo's crown, suggesting that his hold on her persists even as she becomes a more independent criminal. His ending, like hers, is left open, with rumors of her death in Nepal in May 2010, but no definitive conclusion about his own fate.

Narrative Role and Evaluation

Babloo Srivastav serves as a crucial figure in the book's exploration of the Mumbai underworld, particularly in the chapter on Archana Sharma. He represents the male gangster archetype who both enables and exploits the women who enter his world. His role as a mentor is paradoxical: he trains Archana to be a criminal, yet his possessiveness ultimately limits her independence. The book uses Babloo to illustrate the dynamics of power and control in criminal relationships, showing how women like Archana navigate a world dominated by men like him. His character also highlights the transnational nature of the underworld, with connections spanning Dubai, Nepal, and India, and his actions—particularly the murder of Mirza Dilshad Beg—demonstrate the brutal consequences of jealousy and obsession in this milieu. Through Babloo, the book critiques the gendered power structures of crime, where women are both tools and trophies for men who wield ultimate authority.