Creator: Vikramaditya Motwane
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte
‘A Terrific TV Show’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Saif Ali Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the finest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, dangerous gangsters or sacred police inspectors, Khan has proven that he can portray compelling characters in Indian films. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his versatility. He is one of those rare actors that has proven he can portray a wide range of characters in various genres. Through his versatility, Khan has created timeless movies in his career which Indian audiences value. A bright light shining in darkness, he has become an icon in the Indian film business whose films have always given audiences the emotions of happiness. A legendary figure in India, Khan has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has produced several unforgettable films that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has crafted in his career. However, “Sacred Games” definitely stands out as his most commendable role. Released in 2018, Vikramaditya Motwane’s TV series offered a powerful portrait of cruel gangsters. Packed with breathtaking action, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an exceptional Bollywood crime series. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Saif Ali Khan, who embodies a committed cop seeking to clean up crime in a doomed city. Ultimately, what makes “Sacred Games” a great series is its universal appeal. Unlike most television shows set in India, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A brilliant Bollywood crime series, there are many strong reasons why “Sacred Games” is a series that’s worth watching.
“Sacred Games” tells the story of a cop and criminal which engage in tense games. Saif Ali Khan portrays Inspector Sartaj Singh, a committed cop with strong dedication to his profession. Sartaj has always excelled at his job of catching criminals on the loose in his doomed city. However, Sartaj’s life changes when he is given the task of catching a cruel gangster causing danger. Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is a notorious crime boss that is committing gruesome violence without facing any consequences. Seeking to catch criminals causing violence, Sartaj is forced to question his devotion to an intense profession. Facing a dilemma, Sartaj is soon forced to question whether he can ever truly eliminate crime in India.
Vikramaditya Motwane is fascinated by the themes of crime. His iconic movie “Lootera” offered a powerful portrait of thieves which seek to commit crime in India. With “Sacred Games”, however, Motwane created his first ever television series. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to construct a television series about criminals in a destructive city but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Motwane captures a cop seeking to catch a criminal in a doomed city. Recalling Michael Mann’s “Heat”, Motwane uses montages to demonstrate a cop and criminal engaged in intense fights causing heat. For instance, montages enhance the cop confrontation scene. During this tense scene, Inspector Sartaj Singh has a one-on-one confrontation with Gaitonde. Using bold montages, Motwane creates a portrait of a cop that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Omkara” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood Shakespeare adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Motwane captures tensions which cops are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Sacred Games” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood series that you will ever see. Inspired with Anurag Kashyap’s “Gangs of Wasseypur”, Motwane successfully uses cross-cutting to stage action sequences involving gangsters which are compelling. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the gang violence scene. During this intense scene, Gaitonde organizes a frightening shootout which causes tension. Moreover, the musical score is superb. It gives the series an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden gangsters bear. Using bold production, Motwane creates compelling crime television.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Sacred Games” is a Bollywood TV series which is engaging. The show is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions cops that seek to track down criminals are enduring. Emulating Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Motwane effectively uses monologues to capture gangsters that experience huge dilemmas. For instance, the monologues enhance the rise to power speech. During this unforgettable scene, Gaitonde reflects on his rise to power as a gangster through an engaging monologue. Through stunning monologues, Motwane creates a portrait of cops audiences can relate to. Monologues are a tricky technique. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” proved, monologues often elevate Bollywood movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works well in this TV series. Through a fantastic screenplay, Motwane captures crimes that are committed in India today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Sartaj Singh. Khan earned appreciation for portraying romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Sacred Games”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a cop that seeks to resolve crimes in a doomed Indian city but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most gritty role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief faced by a cop embarking on missions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most beloved actors which is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Saif Ali Khan, the supporting cast is also superb. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is superb, bringing out the menacing personality of a cruel gangster seeking control over a city. Neeraj Kabi is captivating, bringing sense of authority to a police officer determined to catch criminals in his city. Lastly, Kubbra Sait merits appreciation. As a transgender woman, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Sacred Games” will earn praise of everyone for capturing a country driven by crime games. Unlike most television shows set in India, it tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. It tackles powerful themes including ambition, grief and mental health which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with culture of India to appreciate it. Therefore, “Sacred Games” is one of those rare Indian television shows that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Saif Ali Khan will absolutely enjoy “Sacred Games” and so would audiences seeking bold entertainment. A captivating Bollywood crime show, it honours an actor that achieved fame years ago.
Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic Indian crime television series about a cop seeking to catch criminals which cause tension, it’s a captivating reminder about a beloved actor that has built a reputation by his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies throughout his career which are absolutely without a single doubt worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 