Mumbai July 9 (IANS) The gritty and gripping "Sacred Games" the first original Indian mini-series by Netflix not only has audiences binge-watching at home but is showcasing Indian talent globally even as it arouses curiosity and a positive buzz across the 190 countries where it is available on the video streaming service.
Produced by the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Entertainment s Phantom Films joint venture "Sacred Games" is based on Vikram Chandra s eponymous novel of 2006 and premiered worldwide on Netflix on July 6. It s been directed by Vikram Motwane and Anurag Kashyap of Phantom Films.
"We are privileged to partner with Netflix in launching their first-ever original Indian mini-series. (Netflix) has demolished physical boundaries across the globe and we are delighted to showcase Indian creative talent to their ever-increasing worldwide viewership base through the creative genius of our partners Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap of Phantom Films " Reliance Entertainment Vice Chairman Amitabh Jhunjunwala said in a statement.
The mini series available in local languages in different markets tells the tale of Sartaj Singh a seasoned and cynical Mumbai police officer who is summoned one morning by an anonymous tip which promises him an opportunity to capture the powerful Ganesh Gaitonde criminal overlord of the G-Company.
As the stakes mount and Sartaj seeks knowledge of his prey it becomes clear that the game the two players thought they were engaged in is in fact part of a much larger plan one that goes beyond their city.
The cast of the show which shows the intricate web of organised crime corruption politics and espionage in post-liberalisation India leaves a mark.
With Saif Ali Khan playing the Sikh Sartaj Singh Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Ganesh Gaitonde Radhika Apte as a RAW officer and a slew of talented artistes like Neeraj Kabi Aamir Bashir Luke Kenny Rajshri Deshpande Kubbra Sait and Jatin Sarna in the supporting cast the eight-episode show is compelling viewing.
Motwane had in an earlier interview to IANS said the series was like a "guinea pig" in the Indian market and so there was pressure on them as well as on Netflix to deliver a "great show" so that more and more people watch content on the platform.
At the end of the day it s all about "getting the eyeballs".
As feature films are available on satellite within a few months nowadays what is their preference: Footfalls in the theatre or eyeballs on different screens -- mobile or TV?
Motwane told IANS: "Whether the audience is watching it in a theatre or on TV mobile downloading from online eyeballs matter to me the most."
Kashyap said: "I have been working in the film industry for 25 years. For the last 24 years I just wished the audience watched my film wherever they wanted. Now I have finally started looking out for business too. So if the film releases in the theatre footfall counts. If they are watching our films outside the theatre on any platform I am okay with it as the business format is changing now.
"What we are making for theatre is also coming on Netflix and Amazon."
And thus reaching a global audience -- for the show is available in all major markets in Asia including Japan the US Latin America and Europe.

--IANS rb-aru/sac/vm