Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra

“Sacred Games” is a novel by Indian author Vikram Chandra, published in 2006. The story is set in Mumbai and revolves around a Mumbai police inspector, Sartaj Singh, who receives a phone call from a notorious gangster, Ganesh Gaitonde, who has been missing for several years and is rumored to be dead.

The novel is divided into multiple parts and follows several interconnected storylines. One storyline follows Sartaj’s investigation of Gaitonde’s mysterious phone call, while another follows Gaitonde’s rise to power in the Mumbai underworld. Along the way, the novel delves into the history of Mumbai, its social and political issues, and the complicated relationships between its various communities.

As the story unfolds, Sartaj becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Gaitonde, who has a grand plan for Mumbai’s future and wants Sartaj to be a part of it. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, religion, identity, and morality.

Chandra’s writing style is highly praised for its intricate plot, vivid descriptions, and authentic portrayal of Mumbai’s diverse cultures and languages. The novel also received critical acclaim for its use of multiple narrative perspectives, including flashbacks and stream of consciousness, to create a complex and layered story.

In 2018, Netflix released a popular Indian web television series based on the novel, also titled “Sacred Games.” The series was directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane and starred Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead roles.