Playing ACP Agnel Wilson, the narrator of the story, Hooda brought a weariness to the role of a cop who has seen it all. He is the bridge between the audience and the underworld. Hooda plays Wilson not as a shouting, action-oriented officer, but as a man resigned to his fate, drinking himself into a stupor while watching the city burn. The film proved to be a stepping stone for Hooda, reminding the industry of his brooding intensity, a quality he would later exploit fully in projects like Sarbjit and Extraction .
The transformation of Shoaib from a wide-eyed lackey to a ruthless don is the film’s narrative spine. Hashmi captured the character’s descent into madness perfectly—the constant rubbing of the thumb, the manic glint in the eye during the "Pe Pe Pe" interrogation scene, and the tragic deterioration of his soul. It proved that Hashmi had the range to play dark, complex characters, effectively silencing his critics.
: Devgn delivers a powerhouse performance as the Robin Hood-esque smuggler Sultan Mirza, a character loosely based on Haji Mastan. His portrayal is defined by a calm authority and sharp dialogue delivery, capturing the "old guard" of the underworld that operated on a strict moral code. once upon a time in mumbai actors
The franchise features a revolving cast of Bollywood stars portraying characters loosely based on real-life Mumbai underworld figures like Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim . Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010)
This was the film that broke Emraan Hashmi out of his "serial kisser" cage. Luthria took a massive risk casting him. At the time, critics saw Hashmi as a B-grade romantic hero. But Hashmi has admitted in interviews that he channeled a deep, personal rage into the role. He was tired of being underestimated. That raw hunger you see in Shoaib’s eyes? That’s not acting—that’s an actor fighting for legitimacy. Playing ACP Agnel Wilson, the narrator of the
The film serves as a testament to the power of perfect casting. It reminds us that while costumes and sets can create a period, it takes actors of immense caliber to make that period breathe. Over a decade later, when we hear the line, "Dua mein yaad rakhna," we don't just remember the character; we remember the actor who delivered it with a mix of danger and grace. That is the enduring legacy of the Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai cast.
For Devgn, this was a turning point. It solidified his transition from the "action hero" of the 90s to the "powerhouse performer" of the 2010s, a persona he would carry forward into franchises like Singham . The film proved to be a stepping stone
Bollywood mob movies often treat women as set decoration—mere distractions in the hero's journey. However, Kangana Ranaut’s portrayal of Rehana (loosely modeled on Mastan’s wife, Sona) brought a surprising amount of gravity to the narrative.
She shared an electric chemistry with Devgn. Their scenes together were mature and poetic, reminiscent of the chemistry between Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman or Rekha in the 70s. Kangana’s look in the film—pouffy hair, winged eyeliner, and vintage saris—became a fashion trend, reminding audiences that she was an actress capable of great depth, paving the way for her future successes in films like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu Returns .