Lin is an escaped convict fleeing an Australian prison where he endured severe torture. Living under a false identity, he struggles with feelings of guilt and questions his own morality. Upon arriving in Mumbai, he quickly establishes himself as an unlicensed doctor in a local slum using his high school first aid training to treat burns and infections. He possesses a deep curiosity about local customs and forms immediate, strong attachments to the people who offer him shelter.

Karla is a Swiss expatriate who operates within Mumbai's unofficial business networks, brokering introductions and facilitating deals. She maintains a carefully guarded exterior and firmly believes that emotional attachment leads only to pain. Despite her cynical outlook, she occasionally reveals flashes of tenderness, such as stopping to comfort feral street cats. She frequently utilizes her intellect and beauty to secure power over men, keeping them at an emotional distance.

Prabaker, affectionately called Prabu, is a relentlessly energetic and cheerful local guide. Born in the rural farming village of Sunder, he moved to Mumbai to drive a taxi and earn money for his family. He introduces Lin to the physical reality of the city's slums and acts as an enthusiastic translator of local culture. He possesses an irresistible smile that diffuses tension and an open, generous heart.

Abdel Khader Khan, commonly addressed as Khaderbhai, is a formidable mafia boss who controls vast illicit networks across Mumbai. He commands immense respect from both the city's impoverished residents and its social elite. He frequently conducts open theological debates in mosque courtyards, positioning himself as a scholar of ethics as much as a criminal leader. He views his illegal operations through a complex philosophical framework involving the necessity of order.

Abdullah is a highly skilled Persian enforcer working directly for Abdel Khader Khan. He projects a lethal aura that commands immediate fear in the streets of Mumbai. Despite his propensity for extreme violence in the line of duty, he forms intense, protective bonds with those he considers his brothers. He spends his free time lifting weights and training others in various martial arts disciplines.

Madame Zhou is an enigmatic, highly feared woman who operates a luxury brothel known as the Palace. She rarely shows her face, preferring to conduct business through screens and intermediaries. She gathers extensive blackmail material on powerful figures and utilizes sadistic violence to maintain total control over the foreign women she employs.

Didier is a gay, Jewish, French expatriate who embraces his identity as a criminal broker. He spends most of his days drinking at Leopold's, subsisting on commissions earned from arranging illicit transactions between foreigners and local criminals. He is intensely loyal to his small circle of friends and views Mumbai as the only environment tolerant enough to accommodate his complex identity.

Lisa is a foreign expatriate caught in a cycle of debt and substance dependence under the control of a sadistic madam. After securing her freedom, she struggles to rebuild her life in Mumbai while maintaining her precarious sobriety. She seeks stability and affection, often attaching herself to the stronger personalities within her social orbit.

Qasim acts as the undisputed leader and mediator of the Mumbai slum where Lin resides. He effectively functions as the local justice system, settling disputes with a firm but compassionate hand. Rather than simply punishing wrongdoers, he devises creative penalties designed to reintegrate offenders back into the community.

Johnny Cigar is a young, physically capable man holding significant influence within the slum community. He serves as Qasim's enforcer and organizer, managing repair teams and directing children to scavenge necessary supplies. He surprises Lin with his quiet erudition and deep philosophical thoughts on human evolution.

Abdul Ghani is a senior lieutenant in Abdel Khader Khan's organization, specifically tasked with running an extensive forged passport operation. He is highly intellectual and enjoys delivering lengthy monologues regarding the nature of evil and corruption. He operates out of a heavily guarded mansion where his illicit businesses are centralized.

Nazeer operates as Abdel Khader Khan's personal driver, bodyguard, and highly capable lieutenant. He is a grim, severely focused man who views friendship exclusively through the lens of shared suffering and mutual duty. He communicates sparingly, preferring to assert control through physical intimidation and strict adherence to Khan's orders.

Ulla is a German expatriate burdened by a severe heroin addiction. She operates within Mumbai's illicit drug circles, highly dependent on her romantic partner for both financial support and physical protection. Her nervous demeanor makes her an easy target for manipulation by more ruthless figures in the expatriate community.

Modena is a Spanish expatriate actively involved in Mumbai's black market economy. He routinely engages in high-risk financial schemes and drug deals to secure large sums of cash. His aggressive financial ambitions frequently place him in direct physical danger from rival criminals and disgruntled associates.

Maurizio is a wealthy, opportunistic expatriate heavily involved in high-stakes drug trafficking. He presents a polished, attractive exterior that masks a deeply ruthless interior. He readily exploits vulnerable women in his social circle, utilizing them as pawns to leverage better terms in his illicit negotiations.

Letitia, commonly called Lettie, is an expatriate who earns her living working on commissions with foreign gem buyers. She is romantically inclined and frequently suffers heartbreak due to the manipulative behavior of the men she dates within Mumbai's expatriate community.

Vikram is an Indian man obsessed with Western cowboy culture, frequently wearing western shirts and hats. He harbors a deep, unrequited love for Letitia and remains a steadfast, reliable presence for his foreign friends, often assisting them during moments of crisis.

Kishan is Prabaker's father, a resilient farmer who lives in the village of Sunder. He represents the grueling, honest labor of rural India. He warmly welcomes Lin into his household, offering complete acceptance without hesitation.

Rukhmabei is Prabaker's mother, a deeply respected woman in her community who once courageously organized her village to fight off a group of armed bandits. She possesses strong maternal instincts and actively renames Lin, fully integrating him into her family structure.

Tariq is the eleven-year-old nephew of Abdel Khader Khan. He is sent to the slums to receive English tutoring from Lin and to experience life outside his wealthy upbringing. He initially resists the harsh environment but quickly adapts, finding genuine comfort in Lin's company.

Rajan is a eunuch who serves as one of Madame Zhou's primary personal servants. He guards the Palace aggressively, carrying out his employer's sadistic orders without hesitation. He views all outsiders as threats to his domain.