Meet IPS Officer Amit Lodha Who Inspired Netflix’s Khakee

Netflix’s Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is out on the platform and it is safe to say that it has totally wooed the audience. The plot of the series revolves around the classic ‘chor-police’ drama. However, many viewers are unaware that the show is actually inspired by a real-life IPS officer and his heroic escapades. We are talking about the unsung hero and IPS officer Amit Lodha.

While some of you might know about the courageousness of Amit Lodha many don’t. At the time when Bihar was steeped in criminality, officer Lodha was there to be the righteous cop. If you are curious to know all about IPS officer Amit Lodha who inspired Netflix’s original: Khakee then read on.

The backstory of valiant IPS Officer Amit Lodha

At the time when Amit was a baby, a fortune teller told his family that he would grow up to become a big splash in the world of crime. By becoming an IPS officer he indeed turned out to be one. However, the journey was not an easy one. Back in 2019, Amit did an interview with Better India where he revealed that he has always been a very weak and shy kid.

Academically he first opted to crack the IIT exams which he did on his first attempt. However, he shared that the “inferiority complex” kicked in once he reached the campus of IIT Delhi. It made him label his experience as “terrible”. He said as we quote,

“I failed at everything. I suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. I thought I was the unluckiest person in the world. My grades were the worst, and my interpersonal relations poor. My friends liked me for the goodness of heart. But even they stayed away from me because I was quiet and perceived to be strange. Never invited to parties or the first choice for sharing rooms. I could never fit in.”

Nonetheless, he had to prove himself. The hard luck at IIT gave him the impetus to prepare and crack the UPSC examinations.

IPS Officer Amit Lodha was allotted the Bihar cadre, kilometers away from his birthplace

Belonging to the batch of 1997 IPS officers officer Amit Lodhi was posted in the Begusarai district of Bihar. It was kilometers away from his birthplace, Rajasthan. He was there during the worst days of Bihar when it was sinking in the ugliness of corruption and crime. It was the time when even elites like doctors, engineers, and businessmen were hesitant to visit Bihar.

They were scared because nobody knew when they or any member of their family would get kidnapped or worse still, shot at. Many Naxal activities used to take place around the areas of Begusarai. He shared one of his experiences from there,

“When I reached the spot, the firing had already begun. My DSP and police jawans were crawling through the mud walk. On my fours, I did the same. Since there was no pakka road, i crawled to the nearest house until i realised it was the same location where the firing was happening. My bodyguard was shot too. The encounter lasted three hours, and my team and I cracked down on nine of them, including three women. We also managed to save the two jawans who were severely injured and recovered huye wars of cash and weapons.”

Cracking this Naxal case successfully made him receive the Police Gallantry Medal

Known as the ‘Gabbar Singh of Sheikhpura’, one of Bihar’s most dreaded criminals, who had murdered over 40 people, including an ex-Member of Parliament, and a Block Development Officer, killed 15 people in two nights. The most wanted criminal was on the run for close to five years

It was his nabbing of the ‘Gabbar Singh of Sheikhpura’ that gave him the tag of “National Star”. After a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase and plenty of smart thinking, officer Amit managed to get his hands on this most wanted convict.

His family’s support during those daring times

When one decides to join the force, it also means putting your life on the line, which can be termed as a professional hazard. So, their family’s support means a lot to them.

Lodha once stated that his wife has always been strong in spite of looking delicate, he mentioned,

“Luckily, my wife, Tanu, is very level-headed. She may look simple and delicate, but she is strong. When I go for Naxal raids, she is the one first one to hand me my gun. And with a confidence that even I cannot fathom at times, she asks, ‘When you return in the evening, should I make aloo parathas?’ She believes that I will return safely. And it may be a small thing, but it makes all the difference,”

After hearing Amit Lodha’s story, writer Neeraj Pandey felt that it needs to be told

Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is the latest from the chor-police genre. Written by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Bhav Dhulia, Khakee draws from the Bihar Diaries, the second novel written by officer Amit Lodha. The series is set during the time of 2000 to 2006 when a battle is going on in Bihar among the police, politicians, and criminals.

The character of Chandan Mahto is based on the real-life gangster Pintu Mahto, who was part of the Ashok Mahto gang.  However, for inspector general Lodha, it is just another day to be a righteous cop.

Writer Neeraj Pandey talked about his meeting with IPS officer Amit Lodha and shared that,

“The project was born the moment I met Amit Lodha for the first time and heard his story. I knew at the very beginning that this was a story that needed to be told. We bought the book rights before Amit even began writing it and everything fell into place thereon. We had the perfect director, writer, and cast on board and it made the storytelling a lot more easier.”

Here are some words of wisdom from the top police officer

Lodha says,

“If you are an aspiring civil servant, do not enter the service with thoughts about the lal batti or associated benefits. The intent has to be to serve. The Government of India is giving you a chance to make a difference and get paid for it too. Despite that, if you think about your own bungalow, car, and benefits–you are making a mistake. When you join the service, wherever you are posted, whether in the most underdeveloped village or the most urbane settings, go and serve. Don’t fall prey to glamour. Of course, there are pitfalls, challenges, and threats to your life. But you chose this. So deal with it, albeit with confidence.”

He also adds,

“To those who complain that the system doesn’t let them work, remember it is you and I that make up this system. No one’s asking you to be Singham or Dabangg. I find time for my family, write blogs, listen to Kishore Kumar, all while working. The idea is to work within the system and help others reach their maximum potential. I firmly believe in teamwork. Of course I lead them, but they deliver. No police officer can take credit entirely without his team of unsung heroes who help execute every mission. Our system may not be ideal, but there is enough power in the law, the IPC, and the CrPC. If we abide by them, we can do a lot.”

The character of officer Amit Lodha is played by dapper Karan Tacker who believes in honesty and the importance of a badge. This Bhav Dhulia directorial also stars actors like Ashutosh Rana, Ravi Kishan, and Anup Soni among others. The series is currently streaming on Netflix.

Also read: Here’s The True Story Behind The Netflix’s ‘Khakee: The Bihar Chapter’ On IPS Officer Amit Lodha