Called for every special operation, the men in khaki had swiftly climbed the popularity charts, leaving senior colleagues behind. They have been the objects of pride, ridicule and intense jealousy.
But backing them was an entire city and its administration was ravaged by gang wars and underworld crimes. Their clout was further reinforced by the Bollywood fixation Daya Nayak who went on to become the inspiration for Kagaar, Risk and even Ram Gopal Varma's Ab Tak Chhapan.