History of Black Friday (2004 film) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 10, 2025

Black Friday (2004) is an Indian crime film directed by Anurag Kashyap, based on Hussain Zaidi's book about the 1993 Bombay bombings. The film portrays the events leading up to the bombings and the subsequent police investigation. It explores the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attacks, focusing on the perspectives of both the perpetrators and the law enforcement agencies involved in solving the case. The movie features a large ensemble cast and offers a detailed and unflinching look at one of India's most devastating terror attacks.

March 1993: Bombay Bomb Blasts

On 12 March 1993, a series of 12 bomb blasts occurred in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in retaliation for the Bombay riots, resulting in 257 deaths and 713 injuries.

March 1993: Arrest of Asgar Muqadam and Police Inquiry

On 14 March 1993, Asgar Muqadam was arrested and provided information about the bomb blasts under duress, leading to a full-scale police inquiry led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rakesh Maria.

March 1993: Gul Mohammed's Confession and the Bombay Bombings

On 9 March 1993, Gul Mohammed confessed to a bomb conspiracy at the Nav Pada police station in Bombay, but police dismissed it. On 12 March 1993, bombings took place in the city, resulting in 257 deaths and approximately 1400 injuries.

May 1993: Arrest of Badshah Khan

On 10 May 1993, Badshah Khan, an accomplice who had been in hiding, was arrested by the police following the Bombay bomb blasts.

November 1993: Charge Sheet Filed and CBI Takes Over

On 4 November 1993, the police filed a charge sheet against 189 accused in the Bombay bombings case. The Central Bureau of Investigation subsequently took over the case.

1993: 1993 Bombay Bomb Blasts

In 1993, the Bombay bomb blasts occurred, serving as the basis for the film's narrative.

1993: Setting the Scene

In 1993, the absence of cell phones and satellite television in India posed a challenge for recreating the time period in the movie Black Friday.

August 1994: Yaqub Memon Surrenders and Confesses

On 5 August 1994, Yaqub Memon, Tiger Memon's brother, willingly turned himself in to the authorities. In a Newstrack interview, Yaqub claimed that Tiger and his underworld associates masterminded the bombings.

1995: Book Publication

Black Friday was included in critic and author Shubhra Gupta's book, 50 Films That Changed Bollywood, 1995-2015.

October 2003: Start of Principal Photography

In October 2003, principal photography began for the film Black Friday, and was completed in 70 days. The film included a police chase sequence which was improvised.

2003: Filming in Mumbai

In 2003, the movie Black Friday was filmed on the streets of Mumbai to avoid the presence of modern cars and other contemporary elements.

2004: Black Friday Premiere

In 2004, Black Friday premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival and was screened at other festivals.

2004: Release of Black Friday film

In 2004, Black Friday, an Indian Hindi-language crime film directed by Anurag Kashyap, was released. The film is based on the 1993 Bombay bombings.

June 2005: Soundtrack Album Release

On 15 June 2005, the soundtrack album for Black Friday, composed by the band Indian Ocean with lyrics by Piyush Mishra, was released under the Times Music label.

July 2005: DVD Release

On 23 July 2005, the Black Friday soundtrack album was released in DVD format.

December 2005: Petition Filed and Film Banned

In December 2005, a petition was filed by Mustaq Moosa Tarani, which resulted in the Bombay High Court banning the film's release until the verdicts in the trial were delivered.