Amir

Amir is a forty-year-old Bombay Muslim and an established figure among the city’s rising criminal leaders. Introduced as part of Lin’s close-knit gang, he stands out not only for his veteran’s authority but also for his appetite for laughter and storytelling—a sociable presence within a brotherhood bound by force and mutual obligation.

Identity and Public Presence

Amir joins Lin and the others when a white Ambassador pulls up in the street. The group’s fashionable clothes, confidence, and reputation make their criminal status visible to passersby; Amir belongs to this conspicuous company as a seasoned member rather than an outsider being brought into it.

His appearance reinforces that impression. He is described as scarred and broad-headed, with thick, tangled eyebrows and a moustache that dominates his upper lip. Yet his manner is not defined by menace alone: he loves to laugh and tell stories, and his assured, resonant voice readily commands attention.

Storytelling and Companions

At a reserved table in the Shamiana Restaurant, Amir recounts a Hindi gangster film he saw the previous night, going through its fight scenes in detail. The men around him laugh at the story. His performance makes him an entertainer as well as a tough figure, and reveals how readily he can animate a gathering through narration.

Faisal is identified as Amir’s constant companion and principal strong-arm man in a growing protection racket. Faisal’s path into that work runs through a professional boxing career cut short after he killed the manager who had squandered the boxers’ savings, followed by prison and recruitment into the criminal organization. The contrast between Amir’s storytelling sociability and Faisal’s reputation as a ruthless enforcer gives their partnership distinct roles within the same operation.

Place in the New Mafia

Amir is counted among the new blood of the city’s underworld, alongside Sanjay, Andrew, Faisal, Farid, and Salman. Each is associated with a different strength or position: Amir is the grizzled veteran whose gift for stories draws attention, while Faisal supplies enforcement and Farid is known for solving problems through intimidation. The group is presented as a rising force in Bombay’s criminal world, not merely as a collection of interchangeable gangsters.

Brotherhood and Narrative Role

Lin regards Amir and the other men at the table as brothers within a criminal brotherhood, connected by shared risks and obligations. He believes they would come if he needed them, and says the loyalty runs both ways: he would be there for them as well. That bond is grounded in practical tests of trust, including the group’s willingness to help Lin deal with Maurizio’s body. Amir’s place in this circle therefore links his local standing to the novel’s larger portrait of belonging built through dangerous, reciprocal commitments.