Find Haseen Mastan Mirza, Haji Mastan’s daughter, her acting career, and the legacy of Mumbai’s iconic smuggler. Explore family, controversies, and Bollywood ties.
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Mumbai, a city of dreams and shadows, has birthed legends whose lives blur the lines between fame and infamy.
Among them stands Haji Mastan, a name synonymous with Mumbai’s underworld, Bollywood glamour, and political ambition.
His life, a tapestry of smuggling, diplomacy, and philanthropy, left an indelible mark on the city’s history.
At the heart of his legacy is his daughter, Haseen Mastan Mirza, an actress navigating the complexities of her father’s shadow.
This blog post, crafted by THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA, dives deep into the lives of Haji Mastan, his wife Sona, and their daughter Haseen, exploring their connections to crime, cinema, and enduring controversies.
Join us as we unravel a story as captivating as Mumbai.
Haji Mastan: The Making of a Legend
Born Mastan Haider Mirza on March 1, 1926, in Panaikulam, Tamil Nadu, Haji Mastan’s journey began in poverty.
At eight, he moved to Mumbai with his father, Haider Mirza, running a modest cycle repair shop near Crawford Market.
The meager earnings barely sustained them, exposing young Mastan to Mumbai’s stark wealth disparities.
By his early twenties, working as a coolie at the Bombay docks, he saw opportunity in smuggling, driven by high import duties on gold and luxury goods.
By the 1960s, Mastan had built a formidable smuggling empire, operating along Mumbai and Gujarat’s coasts, with Kerala’s shores as key routes.
His syndicate moved gold and luxury items from the Persian Gulf, using ships and fishing boats to evade customs.
Unlike the stereotypical gangster, Mastan was non-violent, never firing a bullet.
His diplomacy and maintaining ties with police, officials, and rivals like Karim Lala and Varadarajan Mudaliar earned him respect.
A pivotal moment came when he mediated a meeting at his Pedder Road bungalow, Baitul Suroor, with mafia queen Jenabai Daruwali, dividing Mumbai to prevent gang wars.
Mastan’s interests extended beyond crime.
He ventured into real estate, owning properties like the Pedder Road bungalow and a Juhu residence, yet lived modestly in a small rooftop room.
His love for Bollywood led him to finance films, where he mingled with stars like Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar.
However, his 18-month imprisonment during India’s Emergency (1975-77) shifted his perspective.
Influenced by Jayaprakash Narayan, he quit smuggling, performed Hajj (earning the title “Haji”), and turned to social work and politics.
In the 1980s, he founded the Dalit Muslim Suraksha Mahasangh, later the Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh, advocating for Dalit-Muslim unity.
Though his political ventures saw limited success, his charisma endured.
On June 25, 1994, Mastan died of cardiac arrest at Breach Candy Hospital, aged 68.
His death from natural causes ended an era, but his legacy lived through his family and cinematic portrayals.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth | March 1, 1926, Panaikulam, Tamil Nadu |
| Career | Smuggler, film financier, politician |
| Key Properties | Baitul Suroor (Pedder Road), Juhu bungalow |
| Death | June 25, 1994, cardiac arrest, Breach Candy Hospital |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh |
Haji Mastan’s Family: A Tangled Web
Mastan’s personal life was as intricate as his public persona. He married twice, shaping a complex family dynamic:
Mastan’s first wife, Safra Bai, bore three daughters.
| Family | Relation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Safra Bai | First Wife | Mother of three daughters: Shamshad, Kamrunnisa, Mehrunnisa. |
| Sona Mastan Mirza | Second Wife | Bollywood actress, married Mastan in 1984, died August 2014. |
| Haseen Mastan Mirza | Daughter | Actress, claims to be daughter of Haji Mastan and Sona, born ~1984. |
| Sundar Shaekhar | Adopted Son | Raised as Suleman Mirza, leads BMSM, adoption contested in court. |
| Shamshad, Kamrunnisa, Mehrunnisa | Daughters | From first marriage, challenged Sundar’s adoption and property claims. |
His second marriage to Sona Mastan Mirza, a Bollywood actress resembling Madhubala, began in 1984.
Sona, born Shahjehan Begum, starred in films like Aadamkhor (1986), Awara Badal (1964), and Bikhare Moti (1971).
Mastan’s affection for her was profound; he financed her films and gifted her a Juhu bungalow near Dev Anand’s residence.
Sona’s death in August 2014 closed a significant chapter.
Mastan raised Sundar Shaekhar as his adopted son, Suleman Mirza, who now leads the Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh.
However, legal disputes cloud this adoption.
In 2007, Sundar won a Mohammed Ali Road property case, but a 2017 city civil court ruled he was not Mastan’s adopted son, following a suit by Mastan’s daughters.
A 2014 Bombay High Court ruling had recognized an “oral adoption,” highlighting ongoing tensions.
In 2020, Sundar claimed Mastan met Indira Gandhi, reinforcing his political ties.
Sona Mastan Mirza: Bollywood’s Underworld Muse
Sona Mastan Mirza bridged cinema and the underworld.
Her resemblance to Madhubala captivated Mastan, fulfilling his admiration for the iconic actress.
Their 1984 marriage blended love and controversy, with Mastan’s earlier crush on Madhubala adding intrigue.
Sona’s filmography includes Aadamkhor, Awara Badal, and Bikhare Moti.
She also produced the shelved film Secret Agent (1983).
Her death in 2014 left Haseen as her primary legacy.
egacy.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Shahjehan Begum |
| Notable Films | Aadamkhor (1986), Awara Badal (1964), Bikhare Moti (1971) |
| Marriage | Haji Mastan, 1984 |
| Death | August 2014 |
Haseen Mastan Mirza: A Star in Her Father’s Shadow
Haseen Mastan Mirza, born around 1984 (based on being 32 in 2016), claims to be the daughter of Haji Mastan and Sona.
An actress in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, she has roles in Dev DD (2017, as Aruna), Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai (2012), and Prasnistha (2019), where a bikini scene drew attention.
Her portfolio, featured on platforms like Ragalahari, showcases her South Indian cinema presence.
As of June 2025, her social media activity on Threads and Instagram reflects an active public persona, though specific profiles remain unverified.
Haseen’s life has been marked by controversy.
In 2016, she filed an FIR, alleging she was married off at 12 to Nasir Husain and that her mother concealed her identity as Mastan’s daughter.
She sought possession of a Juhu bungalow, claiming it was intended for her marriage.
The legal battle, involving allegations of document theft and abuse causing a miscarriage, was under investigation in 2016, with no public updates by June 2025.
Her struggle for identity and inheritance underscores the weight of her father’s legacy.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | ~1984 (32 in 2016) |
| Career | Actress in Dev DD (2017), Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai (2012), Prasnistha (2019) |
| Controversy | Alleged forced marriage at 12, identity concealment, Juhu bungalow dispute |
| Current Status | Active in acting, social media presence on Threads and Instagram |
| Year | Project | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai | Small role, Hindi film debut |
| 2017 | Dev DD | Played Aruna, two episodes, TV series |
| 2019 | Prasnistha | Telugu film, notable for bikini scene |
Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim: Mentor and Protégé
Mastan’s influence shaped Mumbai’s underworld, notably through mentoring Dawood Ibrahim, who later founded D-Company.
Mastan trained Dawood in smuggling and advocating non-violence, but Dawood’s path turned violent, culminating in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
Early tensions existed; Dawood once stole $200,000 from Mastan’s courier, but their mentorship evolved, with Mastan guiding Dawood’s early career.
This dynamic, dramatized in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010), with Ajay Devgan as Sultan Mirza (Mastan) and Emraan Hashmi as Shoaib Khan (Dawood), captures their complex bond.
| Aspect | Haji Mastan | Dawood Ibrahim |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Mentor, smuggler | Protégé, D-Company founder |
| Approach | Non-violent, diplomatic | Violent, involved in 1993 Mumbai blasts |
| Relationship | Guided Dawood in smuggling | Diverged to form own empire |
Bollywood’s Love Affair with Haji Mastan
Mastan’s life-inspired Bollywood classics.
Deewar (1975) mirrors his dock worker-to-smuggler journey, while Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010) portrays his charisma, white suits, and Mercedes-Benz 200D.
Haseen’s role in Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai (2012), a comedy-drama, continues the family’s cinematic legacy.
Her Prasnistha appearance, covered by IndiaGlitz, and public events like the film’s launch highlight her industry presence.
Haji Mastan’s Properties: A Legacy of Dispute
Mastan’s wealth included the Juhu bungalow and Baitul Suroor.
The Juhu property, near Chandan Cinema, is central to Haseen’s 2016 legal battle, claiming it was meant for her.
Baitul Suroor, a hub for gang meetings, symbolized his power.
These properties remain contested, reflecting the family’s ongoing legal struggles.
| Property | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Baitul Suroor | Pedder Road | Mastan’s residence, site of gang meetings |
| Juhu Bungalow | Near Chandan Cinema | Subject of Haseen’s 2016 legal dispute |
The Truth Behind Haji Mastan’s Death
Mastan died of cardiac arrest on June 25, 1994, at Breach Candy Hospital. Despite public curiosity, no evidence suggests foul play.
His death shifted Mumbai’s underworld, with Dawood and others rising to prominence.
Haseen’s Public Image: Beyond the Headlines
Haseen’s public persona extends beyond controversies.
Her Ragalahari portfolio and social media activity, including Threads posts as recent as June 2025, show her engaging with fans.
While some online searches mention her in contexts like “bikini” or “navel” due to Prasnistha, her acting roles and legal battles define her narrative.
Despite disputes, her claim to Mastan’s legacy positions her as a key figure in this saga.
Conclusion
Haji Mastan’s life smuggler, mediator, and philanthropist remains a cornerstone of Mumbai’s history.
Sona’s Bollywood career and Haseen’s journey, marked by acting and legal struggles, reflect the complexities of his legacy.
From the Juhu bungalow dispute to Dawood’s rise, the Mastan family’s story blends crime, cinema, and resilience.
As Mumbai evolves, their tale endures, inviting readers to explore more stories of the city’s past on the THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA website.
Trivia
Did you know? Haji Mastan, despite his underworld status, never fired a bullet, earning the nickname “Bombay’s Robin Hood” for his non-violent approach and charitable acts.
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