The much-awaited crime-thriller Dabba Cartel was released on Netflix on February 28, 2025. Directed by Hitesh Bhatia, Dabba Cartel on Netflix revolves around five middle-class women whose lunchbox business (Tiffin Services aka Dabba Services) unexpectedly leads them into a dangerous drug cartel. Written by Vishnu Menon and Bhavna Kher, Dabba Cartel features Shabana Azmi, Gajraj Rao, Jyothika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Sai Tamhankar, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, and Bhupendra Singh Jadawat in key roles. Due to the series's similarities with real-life cases and the mention of fentanyl, many fans are digging into the Dabba Cartel True Story or Dabba Cartel Real Story.
Is Dabba Cartel a true story?
The answer is no. Dabba Cartel is an original story that marks the OTT debut of Bollywood veteran actress Shabana Azmi. However, there are 'lady dons' in India who have been embroiled in similar legal cases linked to drugs.
For instance, a woman named Zoya Khan, infamous as 'Lady Don' was arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell. Zoya Khan is the wife of notorious gangster Hashim Baba. Zoya Khan was arrested with 270 grams of heroin worth around Rs 1 crore. Despite knowing that Zoya managed her gangster husband’s illegal operations, agencies had been unable to gather proof against her.
33-year-old Zoya was on the radar of law enforcement but always managed to stay a few steps ahead. She managed her jailed husband's criminal empire by running his gang while ensuring that no direct evidence could link her to illegal activities. Hashim Baba has dozens of cases against him, ranging from murder and extortion to arms smuggling. Zoya Khan is his third wife.
Before marrying Hashim Baba in 2017, Zoya was married to another man. After her divorce, she came into contact with Baba. The two were neighbours in North East Delhi, where they fell in love.
It is reported that Zoya's role in her husband's gang was like that of Haseena Parkar. Haseena Parkar, the sister of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, once controlled his illegal businesses.
Another similar one that sounds like Dabba Cartel came to the fore in 2023. In 2023, Varalakshmi Tiffins owner Prabhakar Reddy, his aide Venkata Shiva Sai Kumar, owner of Palleturu Pullatlu, and a consumer-cum-peddler were arrested for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs, such as cocaine and MDMA, from Goa to the city. Not only this, but the Police also seized Rs 14 lakh worth of illegal drugs, Rs 97,500 in cash, along with three cars and five mobile phones.
The consumer-cum-peddler named Anuradha had been allegedly procuring drugs for a couple of years in Goa. To earn money, she started transporting the drugs to Hyderabad via public transport.
Disclaimer- True Scoop does not intend to say that Dabba Cartel is inspired by Varalakshmi Tiffins' case or on Zoya Khan's character. It has just presented the fact that happened in India in the past.