Guppy Sharma

Guppy is first seen in October 1995, approaching market trader Gita Kapoor ( about a business proposition whereby he would supply her with mock designer clothing for her stall at a cut price. While Gita's husband Sanjay is out of the country tending to a dying relative, Gita grows close to Guppy; a flirtatious relationship begins. Gita grows suspicious of Guppy when he is beaten up by his former employer – an owner of a sweatshop – who is angry that Guppy has set up business alone. He refuses to tell Gita who his current business partner is. He pursues Gita, buying her flowers and attempting to kiss her until he is followed and confronted by his business partner, Gita's sister, Meena McKenzie. Gita had disowned her sister two years prior for having an affair with her husband, and in an attempt to reconcile with Gita, Meena had persuaded Guppy to offer her competitive business on her behalf. It transpires that Guppy is Meena's fiancé, and Meena grows angry when she discovers that Guppy has been wooing Gita. Arguments between the sisters resurface with Meena refusing to believe that Guppy feels anything for Gita other than pity; she opts to go ahead with her plan to marry Guppy. The Kapoors decide to end their business arrangement with Guppy just as they are noticed selling counterfeit goods by the market inspector, Lesley. Guppy bribes Lesley, but police and both witness them are arrested. When Guppy reappears, he informs Sanjay that his wedding to Meena never took place. He persuades Sanjay to invest £2,000 in a business venture and then steals his money, leaving Sanjay in debt with a loan shark.