Wondering why everyone's raving about Sacred Games? Here's a cheat-sheet
It's highly impossible for you to not stumble upon a post about 'Sacred Games'. And if you don't know what 'Sacred Games' is, you really need to change that. Why you ask? Well because it's Netflix's first original Indian series and it's better than what you'd have expected. Everyone seems to be in awe of 'Sacred Games' and here's why it's unarguably justified.
From book to Netflix: The journey of 'Sacred Games'
Let's begin with basics: 'Sacred Games' is directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane. It is based on Vikram Chandra's book by the same name, the one which Motwane finished in a week. Writers Varun Grover, Smita Singh and Vasant Nath adapted it for television, not losing the essence even once. It features Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte.
It's not 'Narcos', and that is its best part
The eight-part series began streaming on July 6 in 190 countries. 'Sacred Games' is a compelling drama of a cop's (Sartaj Singh) attempt to save Mumbai in 25 days from a threat given by gangster Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). The cop-criminal drama may remind you of 'Narcos' but political undertones in 'Sacred Games' prove Gaitonde is not similar to Pablo Escobar.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a national treasure, 'Sacred Games' proves
As Ganesh Gaitonde, Siddiqui is ruthless, ambitious and definitely a contender for best villains of all time. Coming from a broken childhood, Gaitonde dreams of ruling Bombay (the city's old name), has eyes for flashy cars and determination to pull rivals down. Gaitonde knows what religion can do in Bombay and at times compares himself to God, and you can't really contradict his arguments.
'Sacred Games' blends political events into the story
The series blends major political events like mass-sterilization, Indira Gandhi's assassination, Bofors scam and Babri Masjid movement with Gaitonde's rise, making 'Sacred Games' all the more intriguing. Furthermore, the corruption in the police department, political leaders twisting arms for their benefits, and the intersection of glamour industry with the criminal world, all become important characters of 'Sacred Games'.
'Sacred Games' has set the bar for Indian filmmakers high
While Siddiqui takes the cake, Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte are prodigious too as they join dots to save the city in stipulated time. The writing of 'Sacred Games' is crisp, and music sets the tone for all that's happening around. In a gist, 'Sacred Games' has shown the world what India is capable of, and you need to binge-watch it right away.
