‘Sacred Games 2’: Crisp Performances but Plot Lacks Momentum

(Note: This is a spoiler-free review of the second season of Sacred Games.)

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With gangster Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) captive in international waters and Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan) now leading the Special Investigation Team, Sacred Games 2 unfolds with a promising cast and clever-ish writing by its side. The second season of the highly-anticipated series based on Vikram Chandra’s eponymous novel features a plethora of fresh faces – Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, Amruta Subash, Surveen Chawla and Pankaj Tripathi. But is it possible that too many cooks (good actors) may have spoilt the broth?

Performances That Pass and Fail

Season two takes off from the inevitable madness of season one but things are a little different now. Sacred Games 2 essentially follows the downfall of Gaitonde – as his entire identity is torn apart, he clings to faith. He dedicates his life to Guruji (Pankaj Tripathi), becomes a drug addict and finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that is far bigger than his imagination. As Gaitonde comes of age, so does Bombay.

Sartaj, on the other hand, is struggling with the loss of constable Katekar while trying to decipher Gaitonde’s last words to him. His investigation scenes are, for the most part, dull and lacking momentum. Saif Ali Khan, who had a second coming of sorts with Sacred Games season one, seems to put minimal effort into his onscreen presence. His outfit, expression, miseries haven’t changed since the first season, and the stagnating character arc is mildly frustrating.

As Gaitonde comes of age, so does Bombay.

Pankaj Tripathi, as Guruji, feels like an Osho-like parody of a spiritual leader who runs a secretly destructive cult. Betya Abelman (Kalki Koechlin) is his Ma Anand Sheela. And, apart from both their performances, there’s not much to keep you hooked. Pankaj Tripathi’s character is a force that moves the plot ahead, but his entire backstory is sloppy and unconvincing. And one of the main reasons that show starts to feel unavailing midway.

Amruta Subash as a RAW agent and Surveen Chawla as Jojo Mascarenhas are the only two Sacred Games’ female characters that strike in their individuality. But their stories end abruptly and without any closure. Other disappointing characters include Luke Kenny as ace-shooter Malcolm Mourad whose only job is to show up at random places and shoot people. Not much progress from season one, then. Ranvir Shorey as Shahid Khan, the evil mastermind, seems to be a haphazard addition to the plot.

Season Two at a Glance

As Gaitonde’s flashback track and Sartaj’s present-day investigation finally start coming together, Sacred Games introduces new sub-plots. The investigation easily weaves in modern socio-political references like mob lynching. As far as character deaths are concerned, season two is at par with season one but the literal character assassinations create no impact. Moreover, a bad case of subtitling sometimes makes you want to give up.

The climax, however, is abrupt and disappointing. And feels a lot like one of those random, abrupt endings we often see in Hindi television soaps.

Co-directed by Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan, with Vikramaditya Motwane as the showrunner, Sacred Games season two spends the first six episodes reigniting and sustaining your curiosity, albeit unsuccessfully. And it’s not until the last two episodes, that you finally look forward to the end. As the clock ticks in the wake of a terror attack that will destroy the city, there’s momentum. Finally. The climax, however, is abrupt and disappointing. And feels a lot like one of those random, abrupt endings we often see in Hindi television soaps.

What Worked and What Didn’t

If anything, Sacred Games has structure and above average writing. Even without the highs and lows of season one, it’s clear that the second season was at least planned. All the foreshadowing from season one makes sense, and the show does come a full circle. Having said that, it’s still an exhausting show with too many thematic elements, sub-plots, and characters. Which isn’t necessarily a buzzkill. However, here’s the thing, it’s always easy to introduce multiple elements. But to find a way to tie all the loose ends together is a skill not everyone possesses.

All the foreshadowing from season one makes sense, and the show does come a full circle.

Additionally, the visual differences between Gaitonde’s flashback track and Sartaj’s track seem to merge into each other. So much so that, with Gaitonde’s and Guruji’s constant voiceovers, it’s hard to tell when the makers switch from one setting to another.

Despite its flaws, the second season of Sacred Games has its enjoyable bits. But does it warrant a third installment? I should hope not.