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Sacred Games (TV series): Difference between revisions
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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox television | {{Infobox television | ||
| name | | name = Sacred Games | ||
| image | | image = Sacred Games Title.png | ||
| image_size | | image_size = 250 | ||
| caption | | caption = Series logo | ||
| genre | | genre = {{plainlist| | ||
* [[Crime fiction|Crime]] | * [[Crime fiction|Crime]] | ||
* [[Neo-noir]] | |||
* [[Conspiracy fiction|Conspiracy]] | * [[Conspiracy fiction|Conspiracy]] | ||
* [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]] | * [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]] | ||
* [[Mystery fiction|Mystery]] | * [[Mystery fiction|Mystery]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| based_on | | based_on = {{Based on|''[[Sacred Games (novel)|Sacred Games]]''|[[Vikram Chandra (novelist)|Vikram Chandra]]}} | ||
| runtime | | runtime = 43–58 minutes | ||
| creator | | creator = | ||
| director | | director = {{Unbulleted list |[[Anurag Kashyap]]|[[Vikramaditya Motwane]]|[[Neeraj Ghaywan]]}} | ||
| starring | | starring = {{Plainlist| | ||
* [[Saif Ali Khan]] | * [[Saif Ali Khan]] | ||
* [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] | * [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] | ||
| Line 24: | Line 25: | ||
* [[Kalki Koechlin]] | * [[Kalki Koechlin]] | ||
* [[Ranvir Shorey]]}} | * [[Ranvir Shorey]]}} | ||
| writer | | writer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Varun Grover (writer)|Varun Grover]]|Vasant Nath|Smita Singh|Prakhar Sharma|Dhruv Narang|Nihit Bhave|Pooja Tolani}} | ||
| theme_music_composer | | theme_music_composer = [[Alokananda Dasgupta]] | ||
| composer | | composer = '''Songs:'''<br/>[[Phenom (rock group)|Phenom]]<br/>[[Divine (rapper)|Divine]]<br/>[[Rachita Arora]]<br>'''Background score:'''<br/>[[Alokananda Dasgupta]] | ||
| country | | country = India | ||
| language | | language = Hindi | ||
| location | | location = India | ||
| cinematography | | cinematography = {{ubl|Swapnil Sonawane|Sylvester Fonseca|Aseem Bajaj}} | ||
| editor | | editor = [[Aarti Bajaj]] | ||
| network | | network = Netflix | ||
| picture_format | | picture_format = [[4K resolution|4K]] ([[Ultra-high-definition television|UHDTV]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/television/sacred-games-netflix/|title=5 Reasons Why Sacred Games Is A Proud Moment For India|last=Majumdar|first=Mayukh|work=[[Man's World (magazine)|Man's World]]|access-date=28 March 2019|date=12 April 2018|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163318/https://www.mansworldindia.com/entertainment/television/sacred-games-netflix/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| released | | released = | ||
| first_aired | | first_aired = {{Start date|df=y|2018|7|6}} | ||
| last_aired | | last_aired = {{end date|2019|8|15|df=y}} | ||
| company | | company = [[Phantom Films]]<br />[[Reliance Entertainment]] | ||
| distributor | | distributor = [[Netflix]] | ||
| executive_producer | | executive_producer = {{ubl|Kelly Luegenbiehl|Erik Barmack|Vikramaditya Motwane|Vikram Chandra|Anurag Kashyap|Varun Grover}} | ||
| producer | | producer = | ||
| num_seasons | | num_seasons = 2 | ||
| num_episodes | | num_episodes = 16 | ||
| list_episodes | | list_episodes = List of Sacred Games episodes | ||
| related = | |||
| related | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Sacred Games''''' is an Indian [[ | |||
'''''Sacred Games''''' is an Indian [[neo-noir]] [[crime thriller]] streaming television series based on [[Vikram Chandra (novelist)|Vikram Chandra]]'s 2006 [[Sacred Games (novel)|novel of the same name]]. India's first [[Netflix]] original series, it was produced and directed by [[Vikramaditya Motwane]] and [[Anurag Kashyap]] as [[Phantom Films]]. The novel was adapted by [[Varun Grover (writer)|Varun Grover]], Smita Singh, and Vasant Nath. Kelly Luegenbiehl, Erik Barmack and Motwane were the series' executive producers. | |||
Sartaj Singh ([[Saif Ali Khan]]) is a troubled police officer in Mumbai who receives a phone call from gangster Ganesh Gaitonde ([[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]), who tells him to save the city within 25 days; the series chronicles the events which follow. Other cast members include [[Radhika Apte]], [[Girish Kulkarni]], [[Neeraj Kabi]], [[Jeetendra Joshi]], [[Rajshri Deshpande]], [[Karan Wahi]], [[Sukhmani Sadana]], [[Aamir Bashir]], [[Jatin Sarna]], Elnaaz Norouzi, [[Pankaj Tripathi]], [[Amey Wagh]], [[Kubbra Sait]], [[Surveen Chawla]], [[Kalki Koechlin]], [[Ranvir Shorey]] and [[Amruta Subhash]]. | Sartaj Singh ([[Saif Ali Khan]]) is a troubled police officer in Mumbai who receives a phone call from gangster Ganesh Gaitonde ([[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]]), who tells him to save the city within 25 days; the series chronicles the events which follow. Other cast members include [[Radhika Apte]], [[Girish Kulkarni]], [[Neeraj Kabi]], [[Jeetendra Joshi]], [[Rajshri Deshpande]], [[Karan Wahi]], [[Sukhmani Sadana]], [[Aamir Bashir]], [[Jatin Sarna]], Elnaaz Norouzi, [[Pankaj Tripathi]], [[Amey Wagh]], [[Kubbra Sait]], [[Surveen Chawla]], [[Kalki Koechlin]], [[Ranvir Shorey]] and [[Amruta Subhash]]. | ||
| Line 53: | Line 54: | ||
''Sacred Games'' began development after Netflix vice-president Erik Barmack asked Motwane in 2014 to create Indian content for the platform. They decided to adapt Chandra's novel in [[Hindi]]. After a script was completed, Motwane asked Kashyap to co-direct; Motwane directed the scenes with Singh, and Kashyap directed Gaitonde's scenes. Swapnil Sonawane was [[director of photography]] for Motwane; Sylvester Fonseca and Aseem Bajaj filmed the scenes directed by Kashyap. In the second season, Motwane reduced his involvement to [[showrunner]] and was replaced as director by [[Neeraj Ghaywan]]. [[Aarti Bajaj]] was the editor, and [[Alokananda Dasgupta]] composed the background score. | ''Sacred Games'' began development after Netflix vice-president Erik Barmack asked Motwane in 2014 to create Indian content for the platform. They decided to adapt Chandra's novel in [[Hindi]]. After a script was completed, Motwane asked Kashyap to co-direct; Motwane directed the scenes with Singh, and Kashyap directed Gaitonde's scenes. Swapnil Sonawane was [[director of photography]] for Motwane; Sylvester Fonseca and Aseem Bajaj filmed the scenes directed by Kashyap. In the second season, Motwane reduced his involvement to [[showrunner]] and was replaced as director by [[Neeraj Ghaywan]]. [[Aarti Bajaj]] was the editor, and [[Alokananda Dasgupta]] composed the background score. | ||
The first season of ''Sacred Games'' consisting of eight episodes was released on Netflix on 5 July 2018 in 191 countries. The series is subtitled in over 20 languages. It received mainly positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its performances and writing | The first season of ''Sacred Games'' consisting of eight episodes was released on Netflix on 5 July 2018 in 191 countries. The series is subtitled in over 20 languages. It received mainly positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its performances and writing. ''Sacred Games (Season 1)'' is the only Indian series to appear on ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} "The 30 Best International TV Shows of the Decade" list. The second season premiered on 15 August 2019, met with a mixed response making the producers contemplate on a third season. Siddiqui has said that there will not be a third season, the show had an open-ended climax. | ||
== {{anchor|Premise}}Overview == | == {{anchor|Premise}}Overview == | ||
Sartaj Singh is a troubled [[Mumbai Police]] inspector who seeks validation from a police force he hates for its corruption. He receives a phone call from Ganesh Gaitonde, a notorious crime lord who has been missing for 16 years. He tells Sartaj to save the city in 25 days, beginning a chain of events that burrows deep into India's underworld. On his journey, Sartaj is helped by [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) officer Anjali Mathur; [[Flashback (narrative)|flashbacks]] detail Gaitonde's origins, and how he became Mumbai's crime lord. The first season follows Sartaj as he tries to uncover clues about Gaitonde's past and learns about a connection between Gaitonde and his father.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv/|title=Sacred Games: can Netflix's Mumbai mob drama turn India on to TV?|date=2018-07-04|work=The Guardian|access-date=2018-07-04|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704144746/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv|archive-date=2018-07-04|url-status=live}}</ref> | Sartaj Singh is a troubled [[Mumbai Police]] inspector who seeks validation from a police force he hates for its corruption. He receives a phone call from Ganesh Gaitonde, a notorious crime lord who has been missing for 16 years. He tells Sartaj to save the city in 25 days, beginning a chain of events that burrows deep into India's underworld. On his journey, Sartaj is helped by [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) officer Anjali Mathur; [[Flashback (narrative)|flashbacks]] detail Gaitonde's origins, and how he became Mumbai's crime lord. The first season follows Sartaj as he tries to uncover clues about Gaitonde's past and learns about a connection between Gaitonde and his father.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv/|title=Sacred Games: can Netflix's Mumbai mob drama turn India on to TV?|date=2018-07-04|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=2018-07-04|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704144746/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv|archive-date=2018-07-04|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In season two, Gaitonde's story continues in flashbacks while Sartaj tries to find answers. Sartaj discovers an ashram to which his father once belonged, and learns about their apocalyptic plans to create a new, conflict-free world. Gaitonde's meeting with Khanna Guruji, how he became part of the ashram, and his activities with them are depicted in flashbacks. Also explored is how Gaitonde was deployed in Kenya by Kusum Devi Yadav{{snd}}a RAW officer who tries to keep Gaitonde's archenemy Suleiman Isa alive so she can capture and kill Shahid Khan, a dangerous extremist who turns out to be Sartaj's cousin and harbors a plan (with the ashram) to wipe out India. | In season two, Gaitonde's story continues in flashbacks while Sartaj tries to find answers. Sartaj discovers an ashram to which his father once belonged, and learns about their apocalyptic plans to create a new, conflict-free world. Gaitonde's meeting with Khanna Guruji, how he became part of the ashram, and his activities with them are depicted in flashbacks. Also explored is how Gaitonde was deployed in Kenya by Kusum Devi Yadav{{snd}}a RAW officer who tries to keep Gaitonde's archenemy Suleiman Isa alive so she can capture and kill Shahid Khan, a dangerous extremist who turns out to be Sartaj's cousin and harbors a plan (with the ashram) to wipe out India. | ||
== Cast == | == Cast == | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 73: | Line 76: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] | |[[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] | ||
|Ganesh Gaitonde | |Ganesh Gaitonde | ||
| colspan="2" {{cMain}} | | colspan="2" {{cMain}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 119: | Line 122: | ||
| {{cNone}} | | {{cNone}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[:de: | |[[:de:Elnaaz Norouzi|Elnaaz Norouzi]] | ||
|Zoya Mirza/Jamila | |Zoya Mirza/Jamila | ||
| colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | ||
| Line 271: | Line 274: | ||
|Jaimin Panchal | |Jaimin Panchal | ||
|Gaitonde's Brother | |Gaitonde's Brother | ||
| {{cNone}} | |||
| {{cRecurring}} | |||
|- | |||
|Sharik Khan | |||
|Vikash | |||
| {{cNone}} | | {{cNone}} | ||
| {{cRecurring}} | | {{cRecurring}} | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Episodes== | ==Episodes== | ||
{{main|List of Sacred Games episodes}} | {{main|List of Sacred Games episodes}} | ||
{{Series overview | {{Series overview | ||
| released = y | | released = y | ||
| Line 288: | Line 298: | ||
| start2 = {{Start date|2019|8|15|df=y}} | | start2 = {{Start date|2019|8|15|df=y}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
[[Netflix]] vice-president Erik Barmack came across ''[[Sacred Games (novel)|Sacred Games]]'', [[Vikram Chandra (novelist)|Vikram Chandra]]'s 2006 crime novel, while the service was searching for Indian content for a global audience. Barmack called it "an interesting property", and decided to adapt it in [[Hindi]].<ref name=original>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-how-india-s-first-netflix-original-came-together/story-qDGceqq9SR4jStYluu1vhM.html|title=Sacred Games: How India's first Netflix original came together|last=Choudhary|first=Vidhi|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715181326/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-how-india-s-first-netflix-original-came-together/story-qDGceqq9SR4jStYluu1vhM.html|archive-date=15 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2014, Netflix approached [[Phantom Films]] to produce a series; writer-director [[Vikramaditya Motwane]] met their team during a visit to Los Angeles.<ref name=tie>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/anurag-kashyap-netflix-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-games-they-play-3-5244576/|title=Anurag Kashyap: Vikram Chandra has written amazing love letters to Vikramaditya Motwane after watching Sacred Games|last=Sahani|first=Alaka|work=The Indian Express|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705175430/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/anurag-kashyap-netflix-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-games-they-play-3-5244576/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane had read Chandra's earlier novel, ''Love and Longing in Bombay'', which introduces the character of Sartaj Singh. After the meeting, he read ''Sacred Games'' and thought it was "great".<ref name=t2>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-and-vikramaditya-motwane-co-direct-sacred-games-netflixs-242365|title=Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane co-direct Sacred Games, Netflix's first Indian original|last=Upadhyay|first=Karishma|work=The Telegraph|date=5 July 2018|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075644/https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-and-vikramaditya-motwane-co-direct-sacred-games-netflixs-242365|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane said that the best thing for him was that Netflix wanted to produce the series in Hindi, rather than English: "Speaking in English can seem so fake at times."<ref name=original/> He started working on the adaptation with writer [[Varun Grover (writer)|Varun Grover]], calling the writing process the "biggest challenge".<ref name=tie/> | [[Netflix]] vice-president Erik Barmack came across ''[[Sacred Games (novel)|Sacred Games]]'', [[Vikram Chandra (novelist)|Vikram Chandra]]'s 2006 crime novel, while the service was searching for Indian content for a global audience. Barmack called it "an interesting property", and decided to adapt it in [[Hindi]].<ref name=original>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-how-india-s-first-netflix-original-came-together/story-qDGceqq9SR4jStYluu1vhM.html|title=Sacred Games: How India's first Netflix original came together|last=Choudhary|first=Vidhi|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715181326/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-how-india-s-first-netflix-original-came-together/story-qDGceqq9SR4jStYluu1vhM.html|archive-date=15 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2014, Netflix approached [[Phantom Films]] to produce a series; writer-director [[Vikramaditya Motwane]] met their team during a visit to Los Angeles.<ref name=tie>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/anurag-kashyap-netflix-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-games-they-play-3-5244576/|title=Anurag Kashyap: Vikram Chandra has written amazing love letters to Vikramaditya Motwane after watching Sacred Games|last=Sahani|first=Alaka|work=The Indian Express|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705175430/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/anurag-kashyap-netflix-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-games-they-play-3-5244576/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane had read Chandra's earlier novel, ''Love and Longing in Bombay'', which introduces the character of Sartaj Singh. After the meeting, he read ''Sacred Games'' and thought it was "great".<ref name=t2>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-and-vikramaditya-motwane-co-direct-sacred-games-netflixs-242365|title=Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane co-direct Sacred Games, Netflix's first Indian original|last=Upadhyay|first=Karishma|work=The Telegraph|date=5 July 2018|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075644/https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-and-vikramaditya-motwane-co-direct-sacred-games-netflixs-242365|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane said that the best thing for him was that Netflix wanted to produce the series in Hindi, rather than English: "Speaking in English can seem so fake at times."<ref name=original/> He started working on the adaptation with writer [[Varun Grover (writer)|Varun Grover]], calling the writing process the "biggest challenge".<ref name=tie/> | ||
Motwane found the web-series medium "liberating", since he could tell stories which "don't have to be told in two-and-a-half hours with an interval and three songs inserted into it."<ref name="saif">{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/bollywood/sacred-games-saif-ali-khan-takes-on-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1.2246080|title='Sacred Games': Saif Ali Khan takes on Nawazuddin Siddiqui|last=Radhakrishnan|first=Manjusha|work=Gulf News|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705151159/https://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/bollywood/sacred-games-saif-ali-khan-takes-on-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1.2246080|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although he initially considered using different directors for each episode, "As we got closer to production, we realised that dates were clashing and that it was an overall nightmare [...]"<ref name=neerja>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-vikramaditya-motwane-on-adapting-vikram-chandras-book-collaborating-with-netflix-4706641.html|title=Sacred Games: Vikramaditya Motwane on adapting Vikram Chandra's book, collaborating with Netflix|last=Deodhar|first=Neerja|publisher=Firstpost|date=10 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731155056/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-vikramaditya-motwane-on-adapting-vikram-chandras-book-collaborating-with-netflix-4706641.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane suggested that he and [[Anurag Kashyap]] co-direct the series, since he felt that the two "distinct voices" were essential for the two parallel tracks of the plot. Kashyap said that he "gobbled" up the opportunity as the novel had fascinated him.<ref name=tie/> In 2014, he was approached by [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] and [[Scott Free Productions]] to direct an English-language adaptation of the novel.<ref name=decline>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/playing-the-sacred-games-how-the-country-s-biggest-talents-came-together-to-make-india-s-first-global-show/story-dYlURjnGI4450lzpNedfuL.html|title=Playing the Sacred Games: How the country's biggest talents came together to make India's first global show|last=Naahar|first=Rohan|work=Hindustan Times|date=8 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155156/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/playing-the-sacred-games-how-the-country-s-biggest-talents-came-together-to-make-india-s-first-global-show/story-dYlURjnGI4450lzpNedfuL.html|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-would-have-turned-it-down-if-it-were-in-english-anurag-kashyap-and-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1801969.html|title=Sacred Games: Would Have Turned it Down if it Were in English: Anurag Kashyap and Nawazuddin Siddiqui|last=Safaya|first=Mugdha Kapoor| | Motwane found the web-series medium "liberating", since he could tell stories which "don't have to be told in two-and-a-half hours with an interval and three songs inserted into it."<ref name="saif">{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/bollywood/sacred-games-saif-ali-khan-takes-on-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1.2246080|title='Sacred Games': Saif Ali Khan takes on Nawazuddin Siddiqui|last=Radhakrishnan|first=Manjusha|work=Gulf News|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705151159/https://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/bollywood/sacred-games-saif-ali-khan-takes-on-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1.2246080|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although he initially considered using different directors for each episode, "As we got closer to production, we realised that dates were clashing and that it was an overall nightmare [...]"<ref name=neerja>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-vikramaditya-motwane-on-adapting-vikram-chandras-book-collaborating-with-netflix-4706641.html|title=Sacred Games: Vikramaditya Motwane on adapting Vikram Chandra's book, collaborating with Netflix|last=Deodhar|first=Neerja|publisher=Firstpost|date=10 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731155056/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-vikramaditya-motwane-on-adapting-vikram-chandras-book-collaborating-with-netflix-4706641.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane suggested that he and [[Anurag Kashyap]] co-direct the series, since he felt that the two "distinct voices" were essential for the two parallel tracks of the plot. Kashyap said that he "gobbled" up the opportunity as the novel had fascinated him.<ref name=tie/> In 2014, he was approached by [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] and [[Scott Free Productions]] to direct an English-language adaptation of the novel.<ref name=decline>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/playing-the-sacred-games-how-the-country-s-biggest-talents-came-together-to-make-india-s-first-global-show/story-dYlURjnGI4450lzpNedfuL.html|title=Playing the Sacred Games: How the country's biggest talents came together to make India's first global show|last=Naahar|first=Rohan|work=Hindustan Times|date=8 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155156/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/playing-the-sacred-games-how-the-country-s-biggest-talents-came-together-to-make-india-s-first-global-show/story-dYlURjnGI4450lzpNedfuL.html|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-would-have-turned-it-down-if-it-were-in-english-anurag-kashyap-and-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1801969.html|title=Sacred Games: Would Have Turned it Down if it Were in English: Anurag Kashyap and Nawazuddin Siddiqui|last=Safaya|first=Mugdha Kapoor|website=News18|date=6 July 2018|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706085520/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-would-have-turned-it-down-if-it-were-in-english-anurag-kashyap-and-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1801969.html|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Kashyap declined, since he did not want to do "anything based in India in English".<ref name=decline/> Motwane and his writers gave the scripts to Chandra for feedback: "Chandra is so research-intensive that we didn't have to approach another researcher, we just had to ask him questions."<ref name=neerja/> The series was written by Grover, Smita Singh, and Vasant Nath.<ref name=devil>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-devil-of-the-details-5239759/|title=Sacred Games review: The Devil of the Details|last=Malik|first=Ektaa|work=The Indian Express|date=30 June 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705151323/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-devil-of-the-details-5239759/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Singh said that in 2016, they were told by Phantom Films that "it had to be a gripping slow-burner".<ref name=jane>{{cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sacred-games-writers-didnt-want-to-load-the-script-with-sex-or-violence/19605177|title=Sacred Games Writers Didn't Want To Load The Script With Sex Or Violence|last=Borges|first=Jane|work=Mid Day|date=15 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715135945/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sacred-games-writers-didnt-want-to-load-the-script-with-sex-or-violence/19605177|archive-date=15 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Research was directed by Smita Nair and Mantra Watsa, who summarised every chapter and made the "complex plot easily accessible" to the writers.<ref name=jane/> The series' script was completed in a year.<ref name=jane/> Nath said that in the beginning of the writing process, they were "chucking away some important characters from the original, and bringing in new ones".<ref name=jane/> ''Sacred Games'' is Netflix' first Indian original series.<ref name=tie/> | ||
Its episode titles were inspired by [[Hindu mythology]]. The first episode, "Aswatthama", was based on the [[Ashwatthama|namesake character]] from the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' who was cursed with immortality by [[Krishna]] after the [[Kurukshetra War]]. In the series, Gaitonde calls himself immortal (like Ashwatthama) before he commits suicide.<ref name=halahala>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/fascinated-by-sacred-games-use-of-hindu-mythology-episode-titles-decoded/story-2Vs0K3H00qml1fvS1UxKRJ.html|title=Confused by Sacred Games' use of Hindu mythology? Let's decode episode titles|work=Hindustan Times|date=12 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155154/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/fascinated-by-sacred-games-use-of-hindu-mythology-episode-titles-decoded/story-2Vs0K3H00qml1fvS1UxKRJ.html|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> "Halahala", the second episode, was named after a [[Halahala|poison]] created from the [[Samudra manthan|churning of the sea]].<ref name=halahala/> Aatapi and Vatapi were two demons who tricked people with their nice behavior and killed them.<ref name=halahala/> Brahmahatya (the killing of a [[brahmin]]) is a crime in Hinduism. In that episode, the Hindu Gaitonde agrees to attract Muslim votes for the Hindu politician Bhosale.<ref name=halahala/> "[[Sarama]]" refers to as a dog. "Pretakalpa" refers to a Hindu text read at a funeral. In this episode, Katekar is killed and Sartaj cremates him.<ref name=halahala/> [[Rudra]] is the angry version of Shiva. Gaitonde's wife Subhadra is killed in this episode, and he takes revenge by murdering her killers.<ref name=halahala/> [[Yayati]] was a king who was cursed with premature old age.<ref name=halahala/> The series' title sequence, logo, and title designs were designed by graphic designer Aniruddh Mehta and the Mumbai-based motion lab Plexus, who were inspired by Hindu mythology. Mehta said that each emblem was a contemporary take on "stories from ancient Hindu scriptures, [[mandala]]s, mixing modern design elements with characters from the [[Indus Valley]] Civilization".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/sacred-games-netflix-logo-title-design/|title=Sacred Games on Netflix: Decoding the intricate title credits and logo design|publisher=Architectural Digest|date=10 July 2018|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804200804/https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/sacred-games-netflix-logo-title-design/|archive-date=4 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The sequence also featured real footages of several events such as the [[demolition of the Babri Masjid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/bollywood-features/dont-skip-the-intro-how-the-opening-credits-of-sacred-games-was-created/|title=Don't Skip The Intro: How The Opening Credits Of Sacred Games Was Created|last=Rastogi|first=Shivam|website=Film Companion|date=10 August 2018|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163317/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/bollywood-features/dont-skip-the-intro-how-the-opening-credits-of-sacred-games-was-created/|url-status=live}}</ref> | Its episode titles were inspired by [[Hindu mythology]]. The first episode, "Aswatthama", was based on the [[Ashwatthama|namesake character]] from the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' who was cursed with immortality by [[Krishna]] after the [[Kurukshetra War]]. In the series, Gaitonde calls himself immortal (like Ashwatthama) before he commits suicide.<ref name=halahala>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/fascinated-by-sacred-games-use-of-hindu-mythology-episode-titles-decoded/story-2Vs0K3H00qml1fvS1UxKRJ.html|title=Confused by Sacred Games' use of Hindu mythology? Let's decode episode titles|work=Hindustan Times|date=12 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155154/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/fascinated-by-sacred-games-use-of-hindu-mythology-episode-titles-decoded/story-2Vs0K3H00qml1fvS1UxKRJ.html|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> "Halahala", the second episode, was named after a [[Halahala|poison]] created from the [[Samudra manthan|churning of the sea]].<ref name=halahala/> Aatapi and Vatapi were two demons who tricked people with their nice behavior and killed them.<ref name=halahala/> Brahmahatya (the killing of a [[brahmin]]) is a crime in Hinduism. In that episode, the Hindu Gaitonde agrees to attract Muslim votes for the Hindu politician Bhosale.<ref name=halahala/> "[[Sarama]]" refers to as a dog. "Pretakalpa" refers to a Hindu text read at a funeral. In this episode, Katekar is killed and Sartaj cremates him.<ref name=halahala/> [[Rudra]] is the angry version of Shiva. Gaitonde's wife Subhadra is killed in this episode, and he takes revenge by murdering her killers.<ref name=halahala/> [[Yayati]] was a king who was cursed with premature old age.<ref name=halahala/> The series' title sequence, logo, and title designs were designed by graphic designer Aniruddh Mehta and the Mumbai-based motion lab Plexus, who were inspired by Hindu mythology. Mehta said that each emblem was a contemporary take on "stories from ancient Hindu scriptures, [[mandala]]s, mixing modern design elements with characters from the [[Indus Valley]] Civilization".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/sacred-games-netflix-logo-title-design/|title=Sacred Games on Netflix: Decoding the intricate title credits and logo design|publisher=Architectural Digest|date=10 July 2018|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804200804/https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/sacred-games-netflix-logo-title-design/|archive-date=4 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The sequence also featured real footages of several events such as the [[demolition of the Babri Masjid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/bollywood-features/dont-skip-the-intro-how-the-opening-credits-of-sacred-games-was-created/|title=Don't Skip The Intro: How The Opening Credits Of Sacred Games Was Created|last=Rastogi|first=Shivam|website=Film Companion|date=10 August 2018|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163317/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/bollywood-features/dont-skip-the-intro-how-the-opening-credits-of-sacred-games-was-created/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Several changes were made in adapting the novel as a series. Kukoo, a [[transgender]] woman, is mentioned in passing in the novel as a dancer with whom a police officer fell in love; a constable describes Kukoo to Sartaj as "beautiful as a Kashmiri apple". In the series, Kukoo is a prominent character as Gaitonde's love interest;<ref name=head>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/885511/how-sacred-games-stays-true-to-the-source-novel-as-well-as-turns-it-on-its-head|title=How 'Sacred Games' stays true to the source novel but also turns it on its head|last=Rao|first=Soumya|publisher=Scroll.in|date=10 July 2018|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141608/https://scroll.in/reel/885511/how-sacred-games-stays-true-to-the-source-novel-as-well-as-turns-it-on-its-head|url-status=live}}</ref> Malcolm Murad, mentioned once in the novel, has a prominent role in the series as an assassin.<ref name=head/> A few other changes were made in the adaptation. The [[Bombay riots]] are prominent in the novel; in the series, they are briefly described by Gaitonde.<ref name=head/> | Several changes were made in adapting the novel as a series. Kukoo, a [[transgender]] woman, is mentioned in passing in the novel as a dancer with whom a police officer fell in love; a constable describes Kukoo to Sartaj as "beautiful as a Kashmiri apple". In the series, Kukoo is a prominent character as Gaitonde's love interest;<ref name=head>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/885511/how-sacred-games-stays-true-to-the-source-novel-as-well-as-turns-it-on-its-head|title=How 'Sacred Games' stays true to the source novel but also turns it on its head|last=Rao|first=Soumya|publisher=Scroll.in|date=10 July 2018|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141608/https://scroll.in/reel/885511/how-sacred-games-stays-true-to-the-source-novel-as-well-as-turns-it-on-its-head|url-status=live}}</ref> Malcolm Murad, mentioned once in the novel, has a prominent role in the series as an assassin.<ref name=head/> A few other changes were made in the adaptation. The [[Bombay riots]] are prominent in the novel; in the series, they are briefly described by Gaitonde.<ref name=head/> | ||
===Casting and characters=== | ===Casting and characters=== | ||
[[File:Saif Ali Khan snapped at Imperial Hotel, New Delhi 05.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=A young, bearded Saif Ali Khan in a grey pinstriped suit|The series was Saif Ali Khan's first venture into television.]] | [[File:Saif Ali Khan snapped at Imperial Hotel, New Delhi 05.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=A young, bearded Saif Ali Khan in a grey pinstriped suit|The series was Saif Ali Khan's first venture into television.]] | ||
Several characters in the series speak different Indian languages ([[Hindi]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]), and Kashyap cited that as giving a "real sense of what India is".<ref name=panicker/> [[Saif Ali Khan]], who plays the cop Sartaj Singh, called the series an experiment, and said he agreed to do it because "people are willing to watch programmes from other countries with sub-titles because good stories transcend boundaries."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv|title=Sacred Games: can Netflix's Mumbai mob drama turn India on to TV?|last=Waheed|first=Alia|work=The Guardian|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704145752/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Khan found an "interesting arc" in Singh, calling the character "troubled and honest". He said that he read portions of the novel, but stopped when he found that it was not helping him find what he needed as an actor.<ref name="saif"/> [[Radhika Apte]] played [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) officer Anjali Mathur. Apte called her character a "completely no-nonsense, focused woman who's highly respected in her field and by her peers."<ref name="saif"/> She said that her character was not glamourised (unlike Hindi film depictions of a RAW agent).<ref name="saif"/> Kashyap said that the novel is about "how Bombay became Mumbai", and the series gives "a sense of the city, where it came from and where it is today."<ref name=kennith/> | Several characters in the series speak different Indian languages ([[Hindi]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]), and Kashyap cited that as giving a "real sense of what India is".<ref name=panicker/> [[Saif Ali Khan]], who plays the cop Sartaj Singh, called the series an experiment, and said he agreed to do it because "people are willing to watch programmes from other countries with sub-titles because good stories transcend boundaries."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv|title=Sacred Games: can Netflix's Mumbai mob drama turn India on to TV?|last=Waheed|first=Alia|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704145752/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jul/04/sacred-games-can-netflixs-mumbai-mob-drama-turn-india-on-to-tv|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Khan found an "interesting arc" in Singh, calling the character "troubled and honest". He said that he read portions of the novel, but stopped when he found that it was not helping him find what he needed as an actor.<ref name="saif"/> [[Radhika Apte]] played [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) officer Anjali Mathur. Apte called her character a "completely no-nonsense, focused woman who's highly respected in her field and by her peers."<ref name="saif"/> She said that her character was not glamourised (unlike Hindi film depictions of a RAW agent).<ref name="saif"/> Kashyap said that the novel is about "how Bombay became Mumbai", and the series gives "a sense of the city, where it came from and where it is today."<ref name=kennith/> | ||
[[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] said that he treated his role as a gangster like a human being. Siddiqui felt that a series provides more time for character exploration than a film, and wanted to try the format.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/nawazuddin-siddiqui-sacred-games-5242723/|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui: I've never treated my characters as gangsters, I look at them as humans|work=The Indian Express|date=2 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705151158/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/nawazuddin-siddiqui-sacred-games-5242723/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He called Gaitonde the most complex character he had played to date.<ref name="saif"/> Khan read Chandra's short story, "Kama", to "delve into his character's angst."<ref name=panicker>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-page-to-the-sets/article24342153.ece|title=What went down on a day-long shoot of 'Sacred Games' in Mumbai|last=Panicker|first=Anahita|work=The Hindu|date=5 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131652/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-page-to-the-sets/article24342153.ece|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sartaj Singh's appearance was changed from tall and thin in the novel to muscular and heavier in the series. According to Khan, the change was made to make the character look "visually engaging" and a "slightly more charged-up version of the passive officer in the books".<ref name=panicker/> Kashyap called Gaitonde the "sum of all we like in movie characters."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-anurag-kashyap-on-working-with-netflix-and-his-street-cred-as-a-director-of-dark-intense-films-4665331.html|title=Sacred Games: Anurag Kashyap on working with Netflix and his 'street cred' as a director of dark, intense films|last=Deodhar|first=Neerja|publisher=Firstpost|date=5 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153450/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-anurag-kashyap-on-working-with-netflix-and-his-street-cred-as-a-director-of-dark-intense-films-4665331.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane said that Siddiqui was his first choice to play Gaitonde because he "plays gangster so well" and "has that aura and almost everything that's required to play a gangster."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-director-vikramaditya-motwane-nawazuddin-siddiqui-was-always-my-first-choice-for-ganesh-gaitonde-as-he-does-gangster-so-well-1821037.html|title=Sacred Games Director Vikramaditya Motwane: Nawaz Was Always My First Choice for Ganesh Gaitonde|last=Negi|first=Shrishti| | [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] said that he treated his role as a gangster like a human being. Siddiqui felt that a series provides more time for character exploration than a film, and wanted to try the format.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/nawazuddin-siddiqui-sacred-games-5242723/|title=Nawazuddin Siddiqui: I've never treated my characters as gangsters, I look at them as humans|work=The Indian Express|date=2 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705151158/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/nawazuddin-siddiqui-sacred-games-5242723/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He called Gaitonde the most complex character he had played to date.<ref name="saif"/> Khan read Chandra's short story, "Kama", to "delve into his character's angst."<ref name=panicker>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-page-to-the-sets/article24342153.ece|title=What went down on a day-long shoot of 'Sacred Games' in Mumbai|last=Panicker|first=Anahita|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131652/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-page-to-the-sets/article24342153.ece|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sartaj Singh's appearance was changed from tall and thin in the novel to muscular and heavier in the series. According to Khan, the change was made to make the character look "visually engaging" and a "slightly more charged-up version of the passive officer in the books".<ref name=panicker/> Kashyap called Gaitonde the "sum of all we like in movie characters."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-anurag-kashyap-on-working-with-netflix-and-his-street-cred-as-a-director-of-dark-intense-films-4665331.html|title=Sacred Games: Anurag Kashyap on working with Netflix and his 'street cred' as a director of dark, intense films|last=Deodhar|first=Neerja|publisher=Firstpost|date=5 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153450/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-anurag-kashyap-on-working-with-netflix-and-his-street-cred-as-a-director-of-dark-intense-films-4665331.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane said that Siddiqui was his first choice to play Gaitonde because he "plays gangster so well" and "has that aura and almost everything that's required to play a gangster."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-director-vikramaditya-motwane-nawazuddin-siddiqui-was-always-my-first-choice-for-ganesh-gaitonde-as-he-does-gangster-so-well-1821037.html|title=Sacred Games Director Vikramaditya Motwane: Nawaz Was Always My First Choice for Ganesh Gaitonde|last=Negi|first=Shrishti|website=News18|date=25 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183143/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-director-vikramaditya-motwane-nawazuddin-siddiqui-was-always-my-first-choice-for-ganesh-gaitonde-as-he-does-gangster-so-well-1821037.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He said that casting popular actors like Khan and Siddiqui "drives a larger audience to watch." He said that it was easier to convince Apte and [[Neeraj Kabi]] for the roles after Khan and Siddiqui were cast.<ref name=neerja/> Kabi was cast as [[Superintendent of police (India)|DCP]] Parulkar, whom he researched in the novel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/interview-comedy-is-one-of-my-strong-points-neeraj-kabi-2627346|title='Comedy is one of my strong points': Neeraj Kabi|last=Singh|first=Deepali|work=Daily News and Analysis|date=21 June 2018|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-date=13 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813205133/http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/interview-comedy-is-one-of-my-strong-points-neeraj-kabi-2627346|url-status=live}}</ref> He also worked on the superintendent's body language, which was noted in the novel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-cast-expresses-frustration-over-vikram-motwane-s-direction-teases-season-2/story-frADqXujZKEnVwmK75W0GM.html|title=Sacred Games cast compares Vikram Motwane, Anurag Kashyap, teases season 2|work=Hindustan Times|date=8 August 2018|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-date=13 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813074109/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-cast-expresses-frustration-over-vikram-motwane-s-direction-teases-season-2/story-frADqXujZKEnVwmK75W0GM.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jitendra Joshi]] played Constable Ashok Katekar, Sartaj's colleague, after auditioning for the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/the-actor-who-stole-the-show-in-sacred-games/20180904.htm|title=The actor who stole the show in Sacred Games|last=N|first=Patcy|work=Rediff.com|date=4 September 2018|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909215938/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/the-actor-who-stole-the-show-in-sacred-games/20180904.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was inspired by real-life police officers for his portrayal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/i-have-seen-many-katekars-in-life-says-jitendra-joshi-of-sacred-games-fame/article24481713.ece|title=I have seen many Katekars in life, says Jitendra Joshi of 'Sacred Games' fame|last=Purkayastha|first=Debasree|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 July 2018|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141323/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/i-have-seen-many-katekars-in-life-says-jitendra-joshi-of-sacred-games-fame/article24481713.ece|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | ||
Actress [[Kubbra Sait]] played Kukoo, a transgender woman. She was asked to audition by Kashyap at the screening of ''Mukkabaaz'' at the [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|MAMI Film Festival]], and was cast.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-here-s-how-kubbra-sait-got-the-chance-to-audition-for-sacred-games-2637091|title=Here's how Kubbra Sait got the chance to audition for 'Sacred Games'|work=Daily News and Analysis|date=14 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213057/http://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-here-s-how-kubbra-sait-got-the-chance-to-audition-for-sacred-games-2637091|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sait felt that the lack of any reference for Kukoo's role made it "the most challenging experience" of her career; she wore a prosthetic penis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/kubbra-sait-on-playing-transgender-in-sacred-games-even-had-a-prosthetic-penis/19577190|title=Kubbra Sait On Playing Transgender In Sacred Games: Even Had A Prosthetic Penis|last=Basu|first=Mohar|work=Mid Day|date=5 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705042548/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/kubbra-sait-on-playing-transgender-in-sacred-games-even-had-a-prosthetic-penis/19577190|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Jatin Sarna]] was cast as gangster Deepak "Bunty" Shinde after auditioning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-bunty-kept-messaging-and-asking-anurag-kashyap-for-work-and-it-paid-off/story-YeqZq2dbAgXkcxPqzHWd4N.html|title=Sacred Games' Bunty kept messaging and asking Anurag Kashyap for work, and it paid off|last=Mathur|first=Yashika|work=Hindustan Times|date=17 July 2018|access-date=14 August 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141331/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-bunty-kept-messaging-and-asking-anurag-kashyap-for-work-and-it-paid-off/story-YeqZq2dbAgXkcxPqzHWd4N.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rajshri Deshpande]] played Gaitonde's wife, Subhadra.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/im-not-a-fantasy-character-rajshri-deshpande-5283795/|title=Sacred Games actor Rajshri Deshpande: I am not a fantasy character|last=Gupta|first=Surbhi|work=The Indian Express|date=31 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731113338/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/im-not-a-fantasy-character-rajshri-deshpande-5283795/|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Girish Kulkarni]] was originally offered the role of Katekar; he declined because he wanted a character "that would figure in both Sartaj and Ganesh Gaitonde's world", and was then cast as minister Bipin Bhosale.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/girish-kulkarni-was-originally-offered-katekar-s-part-and-not-bipin-bhosale-in-sacred-games/story-R54br8ypANReLPIuSSLh7M.html|title=Girish Kulkarni was originally offered Katekar's part, and not Bipin Bhosale, in Sacred Games|last=Suri|first=Rishabh|work=Hindustan Times|date=24 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183548/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/girish-kulkarni-was-originally-offered-katekar-s-part-and-not-bipin-bhosale-in-sacred-games/story-R54br8ypANReLPIuSSLh7M.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Iranian actress Elnaaz Norouzi was cast as film star Zoya Mirza.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-actor-elnaaz-norouzi-i-used-to-watch-saif-in-kal-ho-na-ho-never-thought-i-d-act-with-him-one-day/story-PeloUxCpYUk7YU4nUx9z2N.html|title=Sacred Games actor Elnaaz Norouzi: I used to watch Saif in Kal Ho Na Ho, never thought I'd act with him one day|last=Kukreja|first=Monika Rawal|work=Hindustan Times|date=25 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183401/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-actor-elnaaz-norouzi-i-used-to-watch-saif-in-kal-ho-na-ho-never-thought-i-d-act-with-him-one-day/story-PeloUxCpYUk7YU4nUx9z2N.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Production design was by Shazia Iqbal and Vintee Bansal, and [[Aarti Bajaj]] edited the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/more-pressure-this-time-kashyap-on-sacred-games-2/1586040|title=More pressure this time: Kashyap on ''Sacred Games 2''|work=Outlook|date=30 July 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124620/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/more-pressure-this-time-kashyap-on-sacred-games-2/1586040|url-status=live}}</ref> Swapnil Sonawane filmed the portions directed by Motwane, and Sylvester Fonseca and Aseem Bajaj shot Kashyap's scenes.<ref name=shooting>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/887086/shooting-sacred-games-the-shows-three-cinematographers-reveal-how-they-created-a-united-vision|title=Shooting 'Sacred Games': The show's three cinematographers reveal how they created a united vision|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|publisher=Scroll.in|date=20 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731185059/https://scroll.in/reel/887086/shooting-sacred-games-the-shows-three-cinematographers-reveal-how-they-created-a-united-vision|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Anish John]] was the series' sound designer.<ref name=aloka>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/885874/dark-criminal-funny-with-truth-underneath-alokananda-dasgupta-on-the-music-of-sacred-games|title='Dark, criminal, funny, with truth underneath': Alokananda Dasgupta on the music of 'Sacred Games'|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|publisher=Scroll.in|date=15 July 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223457/https://scroll.in/reel/885874/dark-criminal-funny-with-truth-underneath-alokananda-dasgupta-on-the-music-of-sacred-games|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | Actress [[Kubbra Sait]] played Kukoo, a transgender woman. She was asked to audition by Kashyap at the screening of ''Mukkabaaz'' at the [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|MAMI Film Festival]], and was cast.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-here-s-how-kubbra-sait-got-the-chance-to-audition-for-sacred-games-2637091|title=Here's how Kubbra Sait got the chance to audition for 'Sacred Games'|work=Daily News and Analysis|date=14 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213057/http://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-here-s-how-kubbra-sait-got-the-chance-to-audition-for-sacred-games-2637091|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sait felt that the lack of any reference for Kukoo's role made it "the most challenging experience" of her career; she wore a prosthetic penis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/kubbra-sait-on-playing-transgender-in-sacred-games-even-had-a-prosthetic-penis/19577190|title=Kubbra Sait On Playing Transgender In Sacred Games: Even Had A Prosthetic Penis|last=Basu|first=Mohar|work=Mid Day|date=5 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705042548/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/kubbra-sait-on-playing-transgender-in-sacred-games-even-had-a-prosthetic-penis/19577190|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Jatin Sarna]] was cast as gangster Deepak "Bunty" Shinde after auditioning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-bunty-kept-messaging-and-asking-anurag-kashyap-for-work-and-it-paid-off/story-YeqZq2dbAgXkcxPqzHWd4N.html|title=Sacred Games' Bunty kept messaging and asking Anurag Kashyap for work, and it paid off|last=Mathur|first=Yashika|work=Hindustan Times|date=17 July 2018|access-date=14 August 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141331/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-bunty-kept-messaging-and-asking-anurag-kashyap-for-work-and-it-paid-off/story-YeqZq2dbAgXkcxPqzHWd4N.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rajshri Deshpande]] played Gaitonde's wife, Subhadra.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/im-not-a-fantasy-character-rajshri-deshpande-5283795/|title=Sacred Games actor Rajshri Deshpande: I am not a fantasy character|last=Gupta|first=Surbhi|work=The Indian Express|date=31 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731113338/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/im-not-a-fantasy-character-rajshri-deshpande-5283795/|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Girish Kulkarni]] was originally offered the role of Katekar; he declined because he wanted a character "that would figure in both Sartaj and Ganesh Gaitonde's world", and was then cast as minister Bipin Bhosale.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/girish-kulkarni-was-originally-offered-katekar-s-part-and-not-bipin-bhosale-in-sacred-games/story-R54br8ypANReLPIuSSLh7M.html|title=Girish Kulkarni was originally offered Katekar's part, and not Bipin Bhosale, in Sacred Games|last=Suri|first=Rishabh|work=Hindustan Times|date=24 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183548/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/girish-kulkarni-was-originally-offered-katekar-s-part-and-not-bipin-bhosale-in-sacred-games/story-R54br8ypANReLPIuSSLh7M.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Iranian actress Elnaaz Norouzi was cast as film star Zoya Mirza.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-actor-elnaaz-norouzi-i-used-to-watch-saif-in-kal-ho-na-ho-never-thought-i-d-act-with-him-one-day/story-PeloUxCpYUk7YU4nUx9z2N.html|title=Sacred Games actor Elnaaz Norouzi: I used to watch Saif in Kal Ho Na Ho, never thought I'd act with him one day|last=Kukreja|first=Monika Rawal|work=Hindustan Times|date=25 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183401/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sacred-games-actor-elnaaz-norouzi-i-used-to-watch-saif-in-kal-ho-na-ho-never-thought-i-d-act-with-him-one-day/story-PeloUxCpYUk7YU4nUx9z2N.html|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Production design was by Shazia Iqbal and Vintee Bansal, and [[Aarti Bajaj]] edited the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/more-pressure-this-time-kashyap-on-sacred-games-2/1586040|title=More pressure this time: Kashyap on ''Sacred Games 2''|work=Outlook|date=30 July 2019|access-date=10 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124620/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/more-pressure-this-time-kashyap-on-sacred-games-2/1586040|url-status=live}}</ref> Swapnil Sonawane filmed the portions directed by Motwane, and Sylvester Fonseca and Aseem Bajaj shot Kashyap's scenes.<ref name=shooting>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/887086/shooting-sacred-games-the-shows-three-cinematographers-reveal-how-they-created-a-united-vision|title=Shooting 'Sacred Games': The show's three cinematographers reveal how they created a united vision|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|publisher=Scroll.in|date=20 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731185059/https://scroll.in/reel/887086/shooting-sacred-games-the-shows-three-cinematographers-reveal-how-they-created-a-united-vision|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Anish John]] was the series' sound designer.<ref name=aloka>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/885874/dark-criminal-funny-with-truth-underneath-alokananda-dasgupta-on-the-music-of-sacred-games|title='Dark, criminal, funny, with truth underneath': Alokananda Dasgupta on the music of 'Sacred Games'|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|publisher=Scroll.in|date=15 July 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223457/https://scroll.in/reel/885874/dark-criminal-funny-with-truth-underneath-alokananda-dasgupta-on-the-music-of-sacred-games|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
=== Filming === | === Filming === | ||
====Season 1==== | ====Season 1==== | ||
Motwane began filming in September 2017.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Saif Ali Khan spotted shooting for 'Sacred Games'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66-SzccX_OE|publisher=E 24|work=YouTube|date=7 September 2017|location=India|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> Kashyap started filming after the ''[[Mukkabaaz]]'' (2017) was completed, and finished shooting in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood-anurag-kashyap-wraps-sacred-games-starts-shooting-of-manmarziyaan-424838|title=Anurag Kashyap wraps Sacred Games, starts shooting of Manmarziyaan|publisher=India TV|date=29 January 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183637/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood-anurag-kashyap-wraps-sacred-games-starts-shooting-of-manmarziyaan-424838|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane and Kashyap filmed separately; Motwane directed the present-day scenes with Khan, and Kashyap filmed 1980s Bombay with Siddiqui. Motwane called the separate filming an "experiment",<ref name=tie/> and Kashyap found it "painfully difficult" to find "pockets of Bombay which has kept itself like it is".<ref name=kennith/> Chandra was working on the novel while Kashyap was working on his film, ''[[Black Friday (2007 film)|Black Friday]]'' (2007), and he "knew the real-life parallels" in the novel.<ref name=kennith/> Kashyap said that he shot the series as he would a film.<ref name=tie/> Motwane said that except for omitting small details, they "stuck to the spirit of the book".<ref name=t2/> He tried to balance the series, "making it for a worldwide audience [and not alienating] everybody over here."<ref name=panicker/> Motwane said that he enjoyed telling a story without being confined to a [[three-act structure]].<ref name=neerja/> Chandra served as a script consultant in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/884961/vikram-chandra-on-sacred-games-i-cried-though-i-know-whats-going-to-happen-to-the-characters|title=Vikram Chandra on 'Sacred Games': 'I cried though I know what's going to happen to the characters'|last=Nair|first=Supriya|publisher=Scroll.in|date=2 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718123510/https://scroll.in/reel/884961/vikram-chandra-on-sacred-games-i-cried-though-i-know-whats-going-to-happen-to-the-characters|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | Motwane began filming in September 2017.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Saif Ali Khan spotted shooting for 'Sacred Games'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66-SzccX_OE|publisher=E 24|work=YouTube|date=7 September 2017|location=India|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> Kashyap started filming after the ''[[Mukkabaaz]]'' (2017) was completed, and finished shooting in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood-anurag-kashyap-wraps-sacred-games-starts-shooting-of-manmarziyaan-424838|title=Anurag Kashyap wraps Sacred Games, starts shooting of Manmarziyaan|publisher=India TV|date=29 January 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183637/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood-anurag-kashyap-wraps-sacred-games-starts-shooting-of-manmarziyaan-424838|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Motwane and Kashyap filmed separately; Motwane directed the present-day scenes with Khan, and Kashyap filmed 1980s Bombay with Siddiqui. Motwane called the separate filming an "experiment",<ref name=tie/> and Kashyap found it "painfully difficult" to find "pockets of Bombay which has kept itself like it is".<ref name=kennith/> Chandra was working on the novel while Kashyap was working on his film, ''[[Black Friday (2007 film)|Black Friday]]'' (2007), and he "knew the real-life parallels" in the novel.<ref name=kennith/> Kashyap said that he shot the series as he would a film.<ref name=tie/> Motwane said that except for omitting small details, they "stuck to the spirit of the book".<ref name=t2/> He tried to balance the series, "making it for a worldwide audience [and not alienating] everybody over here."<ref name=panicker/> Motwane said that he enjoyed telling a story without being confined to a [[three-act structure]].<ref name=neerja/> Chandra served as a script consultant in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/884961/vikram-chandra-on-sacred-games-i-cried-though-i-know-whats-going-to-happen-to-the-characters|title=Vikram Chandra on 'Sacred Games': 'I cried though I know what's going to happen to the characters'|last=Nair|first=Supriya|publisher=Scroll.in|date=2 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718123510/https://scroll.in/reel/884961/vikram-chandra-on-sacred-games-i-cried-though-i-know-whats-going-to-happen-to-the-characters|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
''Sacred Games'' was shot in several Mumbai locations, including the [[Byculla]] neighbourhood, and Motwane said that its period setting presented a "huge logistical challenge".<ref name=tie/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/mid-day/20180401/282248076119078|title=An intoxicating tale in the making|last=Basu|first=Mohar|publisher=Press Reader|date=1 April 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213212/https://www.pressreader.com/india/mid-day/20180401/282248076119078|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although the time period of Gaitonde's story remained unchanged, the present-day narrative was shifted to the present from the early 2000s.<ref name=neerja/> Motwane said that there is a "similar sort of government [today] and the vibes are the same, so the threat felt a lot more present".<ref name=kennith>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sacred-games-the-story-of-how-bombay-became-mumbai/article24331921.ece|title=Sacred Games: The story of how Bombay became Mumbai|last=Rosario|first=Kennith|work=The Hindu|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131652/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sacred-games-the-story-of-how-bombay-became-mumbai/article24331921.ece|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to Sonawane, "A lot of changes happened on the shoot".<ref name=shooting/> Several shots in the script, such as the introduction of Gaitonde as a child, were top-angle shots.<ref name=shooting/> He filmed Sartaj Singh's scenes with "worn-out but very warm lenses that reflect how nothing is working out in Sartaj's life."<ref name=shooting/> The color yellow was used in Gaitonde's scenes to signify that the "guru that he has begun to follow."<ref name=shooting/> Bajaj shot for 27 days, leaving when he became involved in another project; Fonseca shot the remaining scenes, using spherical lenses to "demarcate" the world.<ref name=shooting/> The shootout at Gaitonde's house was filmed at three locations, with long takes on Steadicam and hand-held cameras.<ref name=shooting/> A scene with Sait, involving frontal nudity, was filmed in seven takes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/exclusive-kubbra-sait-reveals-why-she-had-to-shoot-for-sacred-games-frontal-nudity-scene-7-times/251995|title=Exclusive: Kubbra Sait reveals why she had to shoot for Sacred Games' frontal nudity scene 7 times|last=Tulsiani|first=Kriti|publisher=Times Now|date=9 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728043844/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/exclusive-kubbra-sait-reveals-why-she-had-to-shoot-for-sacred-games-frontal-nudity-scene-7-times/251995|archive-date=28 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ''Sacred Games'' was shot in several Mumbai locations, including the [[Byculla]] neighbourhood, and Motwane said that its period setting presented a "huge logistical challenge".<ref name=tie/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/mid-day/20180401/282248076119078|title=An intoxicating tale in the making|last=Basu|first=Mohar|publisher=Press Reader|date=1 April 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213212/https://www.pressreader.com/india/mid-day/20180401/282248076119078|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although the time period of Gaitonde's story remained unchanged, the present-day narrative was shifted to the present from the early 2000s.<ref name=neerja/> Motwane said that there is a "similar sort of government [today] and the vibes are the same, so the threat felt a lot more present".<ref name=kennith>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sacred-games-the-story-of-how-bombay-became-mumbai/article24331921.ece|title=Sacred Games: The story of how Bombay became Mumbai|last=Rosario|first=Kennith|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131652/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sacred-games-the-story-of-how-bombay-became-mumbai/article24331921.ece|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to Sonawane, "A lot of changes happened on the shoot".<ref name=shooting/> Several shots in the script, such as the introduction of Gaitonde as a child, were top-angle shots.<ref name=shooting/> He filmed Sartaj Singh's scenes with "worn-out but very warm lenses that reflect how nothing is working out in Sartaj's life."<ref name=shooting/> The color yellow was used in Gaitonde's scenes to signify that the "guru that he has begun to follow."<ref name=shooting/> Bajaj shot for 27 days, leaving when he became involved in another project; Fonseca shot the remaining scenes, using spherical lenses to "demarcate" the world.<ref name=shooting/> The shootout at Gaitonde's house was filmed at three locations, with long takes on Steadicam and hand-held cameras.<ref name=shooting/> A scene with Sait, involving frontal nudity, was filmed in seven takes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/exclusive-kubbra-sait-reveals-why-she-had-to-shoot-for-sacred-games-frontal-nudity-scene-7-times/251995|title=Exclusive: Kubbra Sait reveals why she had to shoot for Sacred Games' frontal nudity scene 7 times|last=Tulsiani|first=Kriti|publisher=Times Now|date=9 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728043844/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/exclusive-kubbra-sait-reveals-why-she-had-to-shoot-for-sacred-games-frontal-nudity-scene-7-times/251995|archive-date=28 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
====Season 2==== | ====Season 2==== | ||
In September 2018, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/sacred-games-netflix-renews-indian-crime-drama-for-season-2-1202468819/|title='Sacred Games': Netflix Renews Indian Crime Drama For Season 2|first1=Erik|last1=Pedersen|date=21 September 2018|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153124/https://deadline.com/2018/09/sacred-games-netflix-renews-indian-crime-drama-for-season-2-1202468819/|url-status=live}}</ref> A 58-second teaser promoting the season premiered on 21 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|title=Sacred Games is coming back with a second season, confirms Netflix|work=The Indian Express|date=21 September 2018|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120444/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|url-status=live}}</ref> Kashyap continued to direct, and [[Neeraj Ghaywan]] replaced Motwane as co-director.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|title=Netflix confirms: Sacred Games will be back with a second season|work=The Indian Express|date=22 September 2018|access-date=22 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120444/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pankaj Tripathi]] and [[Surveen Chawla]], seen briefly during the first season, returned in larger roles.<ref name=guruji>{{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/932602/pankaj-tripathis-challenge-on-being-guruji-in-sacred-games-s2-engaging-without-being-bloodless|title=Pankaj Tripathi's challenge on being Guruji in 'Sacred Games S2': 'Engaging without being bloodless'|last=Jhunjhunwala|first=Udita|website=Scroll.in|date=5 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141453/https://scroll.in/reel/932602/pankaj-tripathis-challenge-on-being-guruji-in-sacred-games-s2-engaging-without-being-bloodless|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-amruta-subhash-surveen-chawla-on-season-2-of-netflix-series-7180541.html|title=Sacred Games: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amruta Subhash, Surveen Chawla on Season 2 of Netflix series|last=Sinha|first=Seema|website=Firstpost|date=18 August 2019|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124622/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-amruta-subhash-surveen-chawla-on-season-2-of-netflix-series-7180541.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kalki Koechlin]], [[Ranvir Shorey]] and [[Amruta Subhash]] joined the series,<ref name=guruji/> and Chawla filmed while she was pregnant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/surveen-chawla-opens-up-challenges-of-playing-jojo-mascarenhas-in-sacred-games-during-pregnancy-2405517.html|title=Surveen Chawla Opens up on Challenges of Playing Jojo Mascarenhas in Sacred Games During Pregnancy|website= | In September 2018, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/sacred-games-netflix-renews-indian-crime-drama-for-season-2-1202468819/|title='Sacred Games': Netflix Renews Indian Crime Drama For Season 2|first1=Erik|last1=Pedersen|date=21 September 2018|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153124/https://deadline.com/2018/09/sacred-games-netflix-renews-indian-crime-drama-for-season-2-1202468819/|url-status=live}}</ref> A 58-second teaser promoting the season premiered on 21 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|title=Sacred Games is coming back with a second season, confirms Netflix|work=The Indian Express|date=21 September 2018|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120444/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|url-status=live}}</ref> Kashyap continued to direct, and [[Neeraj Ghaywan]] replaced Motwane as co-director.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|title=Netflix confirms: Sacred Games will be back with a second season|work=The Indian Express|date=22 September 2018|access-date=22 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120444/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pankaj Tripathi]] and [[Surveen Chawla]], seen briefly during the first season, returned in larger roles.<ref name=guruji>{{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/932602/pankaj-tripathis-challenge-on-being-guruji-in-sacred-games-s2-engaging-without-being-bloodless|title=Pankaj Tripathi's challenge on being Guruji in 'Sacred Games S2': 'Engaging without being bloodless'|last=Jhunjhunwala|first=Udita|website=Scroll.in|date=5 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141453/https://scroll.in/reel/932602/pankaj-tripathis-challenge-on-being-guruji-in-sacred-games-s2-engaging-without-being-bloodless|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-amruta-subhash-surveen-chawla-on-season-2-of-netflix-series-7180541.html|title=Sacred Games: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amruta Subhash, Surveen Chawla on Season 2 of Netflix series|last=Sinha|first=Seema|website=Firstpost|date=18 August 2019|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124622/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-amruta-subhash-surveen-chawla-on-season-2-of-netflix-series-7180541.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kalki Koechlin]], [[Ranvir Shorey]] and [[Amruta Subhash]] joined the series,<ref name=guruji/> and Chawla filmed while she was pregnant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/surveen-chawla-opens-up-challenges-of-playing-jojo-mascarenhas-in-sacred-games-during-pregnancy-2405517.html|title=Surveen Chawla Opens up on Challenges of Playing Jojo Mascarenhas in Sacred Games During Pregnancy|website=News18|date=29 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141455/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/surveen-chawla-opens-up-challenges-of-playing-jojo-mascarenhas-in-sacred-games-during-pregnancy-2405517.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Shooting began in November 2018, with Siddiqui filming his scenes in [[Nairobi]] and Khan filming his in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-anurag-kashyap-shoot-season-2-of-netflix-original-in-nairobi-kenya-5682381.html|title=Sacred Games: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Anurag Kashyap shoot season 2 of Netflix Original in Nairobi, Kenya|website=Firspost|date=6 December 2018|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124623/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-anurag-kashyap-shoot-season-2-of-netflix-original-in-nairobi-kenya-5682381.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/first-pic-saif-ali-khan-reprises-sartaj-singh-begins-sacred-games-2-shooting-mumbai/|title=LEAKED! Saif Ali Khan reprises Sartaj Singh as he begins Sacred Games 2 shooting in Mumbai|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|date=2 November 2018|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131551/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/first-pic-saif-ali-khan-reprises-sartaj-singh-begins-sacred-games-2-shooting-mumbai/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was shot on a 50-day schedule, Ghaywan filming with Khan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sacred-games-seaon-2-nawazuddin-siddiqui-shoots-in-nairobi-while-saif-ali-khan-in-mumbai/20054160|title=Sacred Games Season 2: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Shoots In Nairobi, While Saif Ali Khan In Mumbai|last=Basu|first=Mohar|work=Mid Day|date=5 December 2018|access-date=8 December 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141510/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sacred-games-seaon-2-nawazuddin-siddiqui-shoots-in-nairobi-while-saif-ali-khan-in-mumbai/20054160|url-status=live}}</ref> The season was extensively filmed in Mombasa, [[Cape Town]] and Johannesburg.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/pankaj-tripathi-begins-shooting-for-sacred-games-season-2-in-south-africa/story-v9ZyStCOtctXSFD6FrR1VM.html|title=Pankaj Tripathi begins shooting for Sacred Games season 2 in South Africa|work=Hindustan Times|date=16 January 2019|access-date=17 January 2019|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116114651/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/pankaj-tripathi-begins-shooting-for-sacred-games-season-2-in-south-africa/story-v9ZyStCOtctXSFD6FrR1VM.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/sacred-games-2-nawazuddin-siddiqui-calls-new-season-baap-first-season/|title=Sacred Games 2: Nawazuddin Siddiqui calls new season as the baap of first season|website=Bollywood Hungama|date=28 October 2019|access-date=29 January 2019|archive-date=29 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122828/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/sacred-games-2-nawazuddin-siddiqui-calls-new-season-baap-first-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shooting ended on 19 February 2019,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-wrap-netflix-5592596/|title=It's a wrap for Sacred Games Season 2|work=The Indian Express|date=20 February 2019|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220133613/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-wrap-netflix-5592596/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the season premiered on 15 August of that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/every-detail-you-need-to-know-about-sacred-games-season-2-before-it-premieres-at-midnight-2270769.html|title=Every Detail You Need to Know About Sacred Games Season 2 Before it Premieres at Midnight|website=News18|date=14 August 2019|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816133752/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/every-detail-you-need-to-know-about-sacred-games-season-2-before-it-premieres-at-midnight-2270769.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Siddiqui said that there might not be a third season.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} | ||
=== Music === | === Music === | ||
{{main|Sacred Games (soundtrack)}} | {{main|Sacred Games (soundtrack)}} | ||
==Release== | ==Release== | ||
[[File:Radhika Apte graces the red carpet screening of Netflix’s original series Sacred Games (05) (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Radhika Apte in a short, black top|Radhika Apte at the series' Mumbai screening]] | [[File:Radhika Apte graces the red carpet screening of Netflix’s original series Sacred Games (05) (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Radhika Apte in a short, black top|Radhika Apte at the series' Mumbai screening]] | ||
''Sacred Games'' is the first Netflix original series from India. The service announced three new series and four others in February 2018, for a total of seven Indian series in production.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/netflix-india-original-series-new-radhika-apte-ghoul-leila-crocodile-1816266|title=Netflix Adds Three New Originals to India Slate|last=Arora|first=Akhil|publisher=NDTV|date=23 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223102507/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/netflix-india-original-series-new-radhika-apte-ghoul-leila-crocodile-1816266|archive-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44736542|title=Sacred Games: Netflix launches its first Indian drama series|work=BBC|date=6 July 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44736542|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A preview of the main three characters (Sartaj, Gaitonde and Anjali Mathur) was released by Netflix on 23 February 2018, with photos of a blood-spattered Sartaj, a perplexed-looking Mathur and a pyjama-clad Gaitonde.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-first-look-a-bloodied-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-in-new-netflix-drama/story-7avug1dEj4d7AMAzxkfjKN.html|title=Sacred Games first look: A bloodied Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte in new Netflix drama|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 February 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704211208/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-first-look-a-bloodied-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-in-new-netflix-drama/story-7avug1dEj4d7AMAzxkfjKN.html|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A 45-second teaser video was released on 3 May, followed by a trailer on 6 June.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-netflix-nawazuddin-siddiqui-5163069/|title=Sacred Games teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a don with a God-complex|last=Singh|first=Anvita|date=4 May 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162947/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-netflix-nawazuddin-siddiqui-5163069/|archive-date=2 August 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sacred-games-trailer-saif-ali-khan-desperately-trying-to-save-mumbai-from-nawazuddin-siddiqui-who-pl-1863103|title=Sacred Games Trailer: Saif Ali Khan Desperately Trying To Save Mumbai From Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Who Plays 'God'|last=Basu|first=Nilanjana|publisher=NDTV|date=6 June 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162637/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sacred-games-trailer-saif-ali-khan-desperately-trying-to-save-mumbai-from-nawazuddin-siddiqui-who-pl-1863103|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The series' first four episodes premiered in Mumbai on 29 June 2018 at the [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|MAMI film festival]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/netflixs-sacred-games-featuring-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-gets-star-heavy-premiere-in-mumbai-4626051.html|title=Netflix's Sacred Games featuring Saif Ali Khan-Nawazuddin Siddiqui, gets star-heavy premiere in Mumbai|work=Firstpost|date=29 June 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180220/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/netflixs-sacred-games-featuring-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-gets-star-heavy-premiere-in-mumbai-4626051.html|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Netflix released the series on 5 July in 191 countries, subtitled in over 20 languages.<ref name=tie/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/1319233/netflix-wants-indian-shows-like-sacred-games-to-go-global-like-narcos/|title=Netflix wants its made-in-India content to go global like Narcos|last=Bhattacharya|first=Ananya| | ''Sacred Games'' is the first Netflix original series from India. The service announced three new series and four others in February 2018, for a total of seven Indian series in production.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/netflix-india-original-series-new-radhika-apte-ghoul-leila-crocodile-1816266|title=Netflix Adds Three New Originals to India Slate|last=Arora|first=Akhil|publisher=NDTV|date=23 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223102507/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/netflix-india-original-series-new-radhika-apte-ghoul-leila-crocodile-1816266|archive-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44736542|title=Sacred Games: Netflix launches its first Indian drama series|work=BBC|date=6 July 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806131652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44736542|archive-date=6 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A preview of the main three characters (Sartaj, Gaitonde and Anjali Mathur) was released by Netflix on 23 February 2018, with photos of a blood-spattered Sartaj, a perplexed-looking Mathur and a pyjama-clad Gaitonde.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-first-look-a-bloodied-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-in-new-netflix-drama/story-7avug1dEj4d7AMAzxkfjKN.html|title=Sacred Games first look: A bloodied Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte in new Netflix drama|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 February 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704211208/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-first-look-a-bloodied-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-radhika-apte-in-new-netflix-drama/story-7avug1dEj4d7AMAzxkfjKN.html|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A 45-second teaser video was released on 3 May, followed by a trailer on 6 June.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-netflix-nawazuddin-siddiqui-5163069/|title=Sacred Games teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a don with a God-complex|last=Singh|first=Anvita|date=4 May 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162947/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-netflix-nawazuddin-siddiqui-5163069/|archive-date=2 August 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sacred-games-trailer-saif-ali-khan-desperately-trying-to-save-mumbai-from-nawazuddin-siddiqui-who-pl-1863103|title=Sacred Games Trailer: Saif Ali Khan Desperately Trying To Save Mumbai From Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Who Plays 'God'|last=Basu|first=Nilanjana|publisher=NDTV|date=6 June 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802162637/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/sacred-games-trailer-saif-ali-khan-desperately-trying-to-save-mumbai-from-nawazuddin-siddiqui-who-pl-1863103|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The series' first four episodes premiered in Mumbai on 29 June 2018 at the [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|MAMI film festival]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/netflixs-sacred-games-featuring-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-gets-star-heavy-premiere-in-mumbai-4626051.html|title=Netflix's Sacred Games featuring Saif Ali Khan-Nawazuddin Siddiqui, gets star-heavy premiere in Mumbai|work=Firstpost|date=29 June 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180220/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/netflixs-sacred-games-featuring-saif-ali-khan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-gets-star-heavy-premiere-in-mumbai-4626051.html|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Netflix released the series on 5 July in 191 countries, subtitled in over 20 languages.<ref name=tie/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/1319233/netflix-wants-indian-shows-like-sacred-games-to-go-global-like-narcos/|title=Netflix wants its made-in-India content to go global like Narcos|last=Bhattacharya|first=Ananya|website=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]|date=4 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712024525/https://qz.com/1319233/netflix-wants-indian-shows-like-sacred-games-to-go-global-like-narcos/|archive-date=12 July 2018|url-access=limited|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Related [[Mashup (video)|mashup videos]], artwork and memes circulated on social media after the series' release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/887266/sacred-games-inspires-mashup-videos-funky-artwork-and-hundreds-of-memes|title='Sacred Games' inspires mashup videos, funky artwork, and hundreds of memes|publisher=Scroll.in|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223543/https://scroll.in/reel/887266/sacred-games-inspires-mashup-videos-funky-artwork-and-hundreds-of-memes|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
On 10 July 2018, [[Indian National Congress]] member Rajeev Kumar Sinha filed a [[first information report]] against Netflix, the showrunners and Nawazuddin Siddiqui for allegedly insulting former Indian Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]] in one scene.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nawazuddin-abused-rajiv-gandhi-on-netflix-s-sacred-games-says-bengal-congress-leader/story-whCZs39ZI6aGJUwpub1y4N.html|title=Nawazuddin abused Rajiv Gandhi on Netflix's Sacred Games: Bengal Congress leader|work=Hindustan Times|date=10 July 2018|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124624/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nawazuddin-abused-rajiv-gandhi-on-netflix-s-sacred-games-says-bengal-congress-leader/story-whCZs39ZI6aGJUwpub1y4N.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another complaint was lodged the following day by Youth [[Indian National Trade Union Congress]] city wing and All Indian Cine Worker's Association president (and Congress Party activist) Suresh Shyamal Gupta for allegedly insulting Gandhi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sacred-games-another-complaint-filed-against-makers-of-sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1881886|title=Second Congress Activist's Complaint Against Nawazuddin Over Netflix Show|publisher=NDTV|date=12 July 2018|access-date=12 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712082824/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sacred-games-another-complaint-filed-against-makers-of-sacred-games-nawazuddin-siddiqui-1881886|archive-date=12 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 14 July 2018, [[Rahul Gandhi]] [[Twitter|tweeted]] that freedom "is a fundamental democratic right. My father lived and died in the service of India. The views of a character on a fictional web series can never change that."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-tweets-on-sacred-games-controversy-freedom-of-expression-a-right-rajiv-gandhi-lived-and-1883328|title='Freedom Of Expression', Says Rahul Gandhi On Sacred Games Row|last=Tikku|first=Aloke|publisher=NDTV|date=14 July 2018|access-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716165734/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-tweets-on-sacred-games-controversy-freedom-of-expression-a-right-rajiv-gandhi-lived-and-1883328|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The following day, Sinha withdrew his complaint after Gandhi's tweet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/congress-worker-to-withdraw-complaint-against-sacred-games-after-rahul-gandhis-freedom-of-expression-remark-1812577.html|title='Inspired' by Rahul Gandhi, Congress Worker to Withdraw Complaint Against Sacred Games|website=News18|date=15 July 2018|access-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716165610/https://www.news18.com/news/india/congress-worker-to-withdraw-complaint-against-sacred-games-after-rahul-gandhis-freedom-of-expression-remark-1812577.html|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Netflix announced on 19 July that the English subtitle had been changed to remove the alleged insult to Gandhi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-netflix-alters-controversial-subtitles-insulting-rajiv-gandhi-after-congress-backlash-4780011.html|title=Sacred Games: Netflix alters controversial subtitles insulting Rajiv Gandhi after Congress backlash|publisher=Firstpost|date=20 July 2018|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730202739/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-netflix-alters-controversial-subtitles-insulting-rajiv-gandhi-after-congress-backlash-4780011.html|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to Netflix vice-president Todd Yellin, its first season was watched by twice as many people outside India.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/2-out-of-3-people-who-watched-sacred-games-were-outside-of-india-netflix-on-spreading-its-content/story-2E5K1Rr6zJ9xbYBPiZKKRN.html|title=2 out of 3 people who watched Sacred Games were outside of India: Netflix on spreading its content|work=Hindustan Times|date=8 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127142002/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/uday-shankar-calls-ranbir-kapoor-alia-bhatt-s-brahmastra-biggest-ever-movie-made-in-india-its-budget-way-more-than-rs-300-cr/story-tz5WBiU2WbMykdLZEbqioO.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
===Critical response=== | ===Critical response=== | ||
The series received positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/sacred-games-review-saif-ali-khans-netflix-series-garners-positive-reviews-worldwide/1313176|title='Sacred Games' review: Saif Ali Khan's Netflix series garners positive reviews worldwide|website=The Free Press Journal|date=10 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713183045/http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/sacred-games-review-saif-ali-khans-netflix-series-garners-positive-reviews-worldwide/1313176|archive-date=13 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sacred-games-first-netflix-original-from-india-reviews-rotten-tomatoes-2018-7|last=Lynch|first=John|title=Netflix's first original series from India, 'Sacred Games,' is an addictive crime thriller with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes|date=9 July 2018|work=Business Insider|access-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726071835/https://www.businessinsider.com/sacred-games-first-netflix-original-from-india-reviews-rotten-tomatoes-2018-7|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], season 1 has an approval rating of 92% based on reviews from 26 critics.<ref>{{ | The series received positive reviews from critics, who praised its performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/sacred-games-review-saif-ali-khans-netflix-series-garners-positive-reviews-worldwide/1313176|title='Sacred Games' review: Saif Ali Khan's Netflix series garners positive reviews worldwide|website=[[The Free Press Journal]]|date=10 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713183045/http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/sacred-games-review-saif-ali-khans-netflix-series-garners-positive-reviews-worldwide/1313176|archive-date=13 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sacred-games-first-netflix-original-from-india-reviews-rotten-tomatoes-2018-7|last=Lynch|first=John|title=Netflix's first original series from India, 'Sacred Games,' is an addictive crime thriller with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes|date=9 July 2018|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726071835/https://www.businessinsider.com/sacred-games-first-netflix-original-from-india-reviews-rotten-tomatoes-2018-7|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], season 1 has an approval rating of 92% based on reviews from 26 critics.<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=sacred_games |type=tv |title=Sacred Games |season=1 |access-date=12 February 2022 |publisher_hide=yes}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On Rotten Tomatoes, season 2 has an approval rating of 60% based on reviews from 5 critics.<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=sacred_games |type=tv |title=Sacred Games |season=2 |access-date=12 February 2022 |publisher_hide=yes}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
According to [[Raja Sen]], "It is not an immediately explosive concept, unfolding more like a thriller by numbers, helped along by strong performances and some nimble direction."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Y8nm3AMbfV51hNV71zsbtO/Sacred-Games-is-worth-playing.html|title='Sacred Games' is worth playing|last=Sen|first=Raja|work=Mint|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704131657/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Y8nm3AMbfV51hNV71zsbtO/Sacred-Games-is-worth-playing.html|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Jai Arjun Singh]] said that ''Sacred Games'' replicated the novel's profanity, and the "series uses its own methods to stress the idea of religion as something that can be both nurturing and cannibalistic".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en_in/article/qvng8b/religion-is-a-cannibalistic-self-replenishing-beast-in-netflixs-sacred-games|title=Religion Is a Cannibalistic, Self-Replenishing Beast in Netflix's 'Sacred Games'|last=Singh|first=Jai Arjun|publisher=Vice|date=4 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180241/https://www.vice.com/en_in/article/qvng8b/religion-is-a-cannibalistic-self-replenishing-beast-in-netflixs-sacred-games|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Ektaa Malik of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' called the series "edgier and more layered": "For those who have read the original source material — the novel Sacred Games — they might find the series a bit jarring with regards to certain plot developments."<ref name=devil/> Manjusha Radhakrishnan of ''[[Gulf News]]'' called it an "edgy, thrilling winner", with Khan and Siddiqui in "top form".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/leisure/television/sacred-games-review-an-edgy-thrilling-winner-1.2245506|title='Sacred Games' review: An edgy, thrilling winner|last=Radhakrishnan|first=Manjusha|work=[[Gulf News]]|date=2 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705205615/https://gulfnews.com/leisure/television/sacred-games-review-an-edgy-thrilling-winner-1.2245506|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Saibal Chatterjee of [[NDTV]] gave it a positive review: "The series has the potential to wean back viewers who have been driven away from television by drab soap operas and trite entertainment formats."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/netflixs-sacred-games-review-first-impressions-toned-down-saif-ali-khan-is-perfect-1878517|title=Netflix's Sacred Games Review: First Impressions - Toned-Down Saif Ali Khan Is Perfect|last=Chatterjee|first=Saibal|website=[[NDTV]]|date=5 July 2018|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705145142/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/netflixs-sacred-games-review-first-impressions-toned-down-saif-ali-khan-is-perfect-1878517|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
Dipti Kharude of ''[[The Quint]]'' praised the series' writing: "What's commendable is that ''Sacred Games'' chooses compassion over glorification."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/hot-on-web/sacred-games-review-netflix|title=Review: The Digital Game Just Got Bigger With Netflix's 'Sacred Games'|last=Kharude|first=Dipti|website=[[The Quint]]|date=30 June 2018|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075322/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/hot-on-web/sacred-games-review-netflix|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Swetha Ramakrishnan of ''[[Firstpost]]'' called it a "high benchmark for India's first Netflix original", and the show provided "due diligence with high production value and an investment into the right parameters{{snd}}writing, acting and direction."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-review-netflix-sets-an-impossibly-high-benchmark-with-this-gritty-quintessential-mumbai-noir-tale-4672141.html|title=Sacred Games review: Netflix sets an impossibly high benchmark with this gritty, quintessential Mumbai noir tale|last=Ramakrishnan|first=Swetha|work=[[Firstpost]]|date=6 July 2018|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706165248/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-review-netflix-sets-an-impossibly-high-benchmark-with-this-gritty-quintessential-mumbai-noir-tale-4672141.html|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to Shristi Negi of [[News18]], the series "totally grips you from start to finish".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-pilot-review-nawazuddin-siddiqui-saif-ali-khan-show-totally-grips-you-from-start-to-finish-1802447.html|title=Sacred Games Review: Nawazuddin Siddiqui-Saif Ali Khan's Show Totally Grips You from Start to Finish|last=Negi|first=Shrishti|website=[[News18]]|date=6 July 2018|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706044615/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sacred-games-pilot-review-nawazuddin-siddiqui-saif-ali-khan-show-totally-grips-you-from-start-to-finish-1802447.html|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Ankur Pathak of ''[[HuffPost]]'' also gave it a positive review: "At the surface, ''Sacred Games'' appears to be a standard cat-and-mouse chase but the show's probing, introspective nature turns a clichéd crime-saga to a biting commentary on the zeitgeist. Its relevance to our current moment cannot be overstated."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/07/09/sacred-games-review-india-finally-has-a-prestige-tv-drama-to-call-its-own_a_23477897/|title='Sacred Games' Review: India Finally Has A Prestige TV Drama To Call Its Own|last=Pathak|first=Ankur|work=[[HuffPost]]|date=10 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716140626/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/07/09/sacred-games-review-india-finally-has-a-prestige-tv-drama-to-call-its-own_a_23477897/|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
Tim Goodman of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote that "there are clear flaws", but "there's something riveting about India's bleaker, darker heart being exposed as opposed to some upbeat, colorful explosion of dance scenes".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/sacred-games-review-1125388|title='Sacred Games': TV Review|last=Goodman|first=Tim|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=6 July 2018|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803093834/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/sacred-games-review-1125388|archive-date=3 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Mike Hale of ''[[The New York Times]]'' was less enthusiastic: "Despite its verve and visual inventiveness, the series feels muddled and a little wearying at times".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/arts/television/sacred-games-netflix-review.html|title=Review: The Criminal Life in Mumbai in 'Sacred Games'|last=Hale|first=Mike|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=6 July 2018|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728234727/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/arts/television/sacred-games-netflix-review.html|archive-date=28 July 2018|url-status=live|url-access=limited|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Adam Starkey of ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'', however, wrote that the dual narratives are occasionally jarring but compelling nonetheless.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/29/sacred-games-review-netflix-strikes-gold-with-stylish-indian-thriller-7671282/|title=Sacred Games review: Netflix strikes gold with stylish Indian thriller|last=Starkey|first=Adam|website=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=29 June 2018|access-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730203249/https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/29/sacred-games-review-netflix-strikes-gold-with-stylish-indian-thriller-7671282/|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Taylor Antrim]] called the series "mesmerizing" and "addictive": "Bollywood maximal-ism meets downbeat Euro noir meets Hollywood gangster epic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/netflix-sacred-games-review|title=Netflix's Sacred Games Is Your Next Binge Watch|last=Antrim|first=Taylor|website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=20 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720190955/https://www.vogue.com/article/netflix-sacred-games-review|archive-date=20 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Steve Greene of ''[[IndieWire]]'' called the series a "surface-level telling of a story that wants to have so much more in its grasp" and noted its violence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/sacred-games-netflix-review-india-series-1201981521/|title='Sacred Games' Review: Netflix's First Original Series from India Is an Artful Portrait of Senseless Violence|last=Greene|first=Steve|website=[[IndieWire]]|date=9 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713194747/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/sacred-games-netflix-review-india-series-1201981521/|archive-date=13 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> John Doyle of ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' wrote that the series "sprawls from thriller to dense character study to brooding meditation on the roots of India's political corruption." However, some elements of the story "will puzzle viewers not familiar with India's tangled religious tensions and caste system."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-netflixs-sacred-games-is-a-brilliant-thriller-series-from-india/|title=Netflix's Sacred Games is a brilliant thriller series from India|last=Doyle|first=John|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=10 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803184420/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-netflixs-sacred-games-is-a-brilliant-thriller-series-from-india/|archive-date=3 August 2018|url-status=live|url-access=limited|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Kaitlin Reily of ''[[Refinery29]]'' called ''Sacred Games'' a "juicy crime thriller that combines a hard-boiled detective story with magical realism."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/2018/07/203803/sacred-games-new-netflix-series-india-narcos|title=Sacred Games Is Netflix's New Narcos, With A Twist|last=Reily|first=Kaitlin|website=[[Refinery29]]|date=7 July 2018|access-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730232429/https://www.refinery29.com/2018/07/203803/sacred-games-new-netflix-series-india-narcos|archive-date=30 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Lincoln Michel of ''[[GQ]]'' called it the "best Netflix original in years."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/sacred-games-is-the-best-new-show-on-netflix-you-arent-watching|title=Sacred Games Is the Best New Show on Netflix You Aren't Watching|last=Michel|first=Lincoln|work=[[GQ]]|date=21 July 2018|access-date=13 August 2018|archive-date=13 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813143458/https://www.gq.com/story/sacred-games-is-the-best-new-show-on-netflix-you-arent-watching|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
The second season received less-favorable reviews than the first, with Tanul Thakur of ''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'' writing that it "severely lacks the urgency, the wicked humour and the heartfelt bonds that made the first season so captivating."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewire.in/culture/sacred-games-season-2-review|title=Review: Why Season 2 of 'Sacred Games' Fails to Captivate|last=Thakur|first=Tanul|work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]|date=19 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163319/https://thewire.in/culture/sacred-games-season-2-review|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Shreya Iyer of ''[[The Times of India]]'', the series "falls short on several levels and is unable to live up to the hype created by the previous season."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/sacred-games/Sacred-Games-Season-2/seasonreview/76182950.cms|title=Sacred Games Season 2|last=Iyer|first=Shreya|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141716/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/sacred-games/Sacred-Games-Season-2/seasonreview/76182950.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Kaushani Banerjee of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' wrote, "There seems to be a lack of effort or failure to bring newness to the characters which became iconic after the first season was aired."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/aug/25/sacred-games-season-2-review-blood-and-bore-2022882.html|title='Sacred Games' season 2 review: 'Blood and bore'|last=Kaushani|first=Banerjee|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=25 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=14 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914020446/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/aug/25/sacred-games-season-2-review-blood-and-bore-2022882.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Soumya Rao of ''[[Scroll.in]]'' called the season "too ambitious for its own good".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/934063/review-sacred-games-season-2-is-too-ambitious-for-its-own-good|title=Review: 'Sacred Games' season 2 is too ambitious for its own good|last=Rao|first=Soumya|website=[[Scroll.in]]|date=16 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163356/https://scroll.in/reel/934063/review-sacred-games-season-2-is-too-ambitious-for-its-own-good|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Accolades=== | ===Accolades=== | ||
''Sacred Games'' received the Best Drama Award at the News18 [[iReel Awards]]. It received five awards from 11 nominations, including Best Actor (Drama) for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Best Supporting Actor for Jitendra Joshi, Best Writing (Drama), Best Ensemble Cast, and Best Series (Drama).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/news18-ireel-awards-vikramaditya-motwanes-sacred-games-wins-best-drama-1870719.html|title=News18 iReel Awards: Vikramaditya Motwane's Sacred Games Wins Best Drama| | ''Sacred Games'' received the Best Drama Award at the News18 [[iReel Awards]]. It received five awards from 11 nominations, including Best Actor (Drama) for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Best Supporting Actor for Jitendra Joshi, Best Writing (Drama), Best Ensemble Cast, and Best Series (Drama).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/news18-ireel-awards-vikramaditya-motwanes-sacred-games-wins-best-drama-1870719.html|title=News18 iReel Awards: Vikramaditya Motwane's Sacred Games Wins Best Drama|website=News18|date=7 September 2018|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907221448/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/news18-ireel-awards-vikramaditya-motwanes-sacred-games-wins-best-drama-1870719.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kashyap received the Best Direction (Fiction) Award and Aarti Bajaj received the Award for Best Editing at the inaugural [[Asian Academy Creative Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |date=8 December 2018 |title=''Sacred Games'', ''Miss Sherlock'' Win Asian Academy Creative Awards |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/sacred-games-miss-sherlock-asian-academy-creative-awards-1203085018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430205659/https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/sacred-games-miss-sherlock-asian-academy-creative-awards-1203085018/ |archive-date=30 April 2022 |access-date=3 February 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> It received the Best Show Jury (Web) and Best Supporting Actor (Web) Award for Kabi, at the 18th [[Indian Television Academy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ita-awards-2018-winners-list-5489473/|title=Indian Television Academy Awards 2018: Complete list of winners|date=2018-12-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-09-21|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402154836/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ita-awards-2018-winners-list-5489473/|url-status=live}}</ref> The second season was nominated for a 2019 Best Drama [[International Emmy Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-loses-at-international-emmy-awards-2019-how-the-cast-of-netflix-original-predicted-win-on-the-brand-new-show-7701831.html|title=Sacred Games loses at International Emmy Awards 2019: How the cast of Netflix Original predicted win on The Brand New Show|website=Firstpost|date=26 November 2019|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124623/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sacred-games-loses-at-international-emmy-awards-2019-how-the-cast-of-netflix-original-predicted-win-on-the-brand-new-show-7701831.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sait garnered the OTT Best Female Actor in Negative Role Award at the 2019 [[Gold Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zee5.com/hi/tvshows/details/gold-awards-2019/0-6-2183/kubra-sait-wins-ott-best-female-actor-in-negative-role-gold-awards-2019/0-1-283273|title=Watch Gold Awards 2019 Oct 29, 2019 Full Episode|website=Zee5|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110124632/https://comingsoon.zee5.com/comingsoon/index.php|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alokananda Dasgupta]] received the Best Background Music Award while Slyvester Fonseca received the Best Cinematographer Award at the 2020 [[Filmfare OTT Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/flyx-filmfare-ott-awards-2020-winners-so-far/articleshow/79812177.cms|title=Flyx Filmfare OTT Awards 2020: Complete winners' list|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 December 2020|access-date=20 December 2020|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163542/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/flyx-filmfare-ott-awards-2020-winners-so-far/articleshow/79812177.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the only Indian series on ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} "30 Best International TV Shows of the Decade" list.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-only-indian-show-on-new-york-times-list-of-30-best-international-tv-series-of-the-decade/story-XILMv5eggyPT2GZyhYCfgM.html|title=Sacred Games only Indian show on New York Times' list of 30 best international TV series of the decade|work=Hindustan Times|date=25 December 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163451/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/sacred-games-only-indian-show-on-new-york-times-list-of-30-best-international-tv-series-of-the-decade/story-XILMv5eggyPT2GZyhYCfgM.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* {{IMDb title}} | * {{IMDb title}} | ||
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}} | * {{Rotten Tomatoes}} | ||
{{Netflix original ended series (2012–2018)}} | {{Netflix original ended series (2012–2018)}} | ||
{{Good article}} | {{Good article}} | ||
[[Category:Hindi-language Netflix original programming]] | [[Category:Hindi-language Netflix original programming]] | ||
[[Category:2018 Indian television series debuts]] | [[Category:2018 Indian television series debuts]] | ||