Any Mumbai gangster would tell you that the times are BAD! They never know when they may be eliminated in a police encounter, provided they survive the bullets of rivals, of course.

Starting every day with a prayer is very important for Arun Gawli, who is often described as Mumbai's only resident ganglord. The others are fugitives, who run the show from exotic destinations like ISI safe houses in Karachi or condos in Malaysia.

Now that Gawli has decided to contest the Lok Sabha election, he has to do exactly what a gangster's manual would veto: mingle with the crowds.

Photographs: Jewella C Miranda
Text: Vijay Singh