Sacred Games, the new web series on the block could well be India's answer to Narcos

Based on Vikram Chandra's book Sacred Games, the web series follows the dark, noir style that is likely to get it a significant following around the world. Talkietive Reviews brings you the Five Good Things that stand out in the show.

Rating: ****1/2 stars

1) The Author & the word: The web series is based on Vikram Chandra's novel Sacred Games which was published in 2006. The fact that a saga about Mumbai through the ebb and flow of time about a cop Sartaj Singh and gangster Ganesh Gaitonde has been turned into an international web series 12 years after it was written is ample proof of its merit.

2) Write moves: The writing team comprising of Varun Grover, Smita Singh and Vasant Nath has done a good job of adapting the novel to a web series, an episodic format. There are eight episodes in the first season and one of the unique things about the writing is that each episode has a mythological title- be it the opening Ashwatthama episode or the one titled Atapi Vatapi. The interweaving of mythological references with contemporary situations like the demolition of Babri Masjid, the Mumbai riots and the rise of Hindu right wing certainly piques the audience curiosity.

You may also read : नई कक्षा, नई ड्रेस: तेज़ बारिश में भी, स्कूल के पहले दिन उपस्थित हुए बच्चे

3) Bringing characters to life: Both Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui who are the two critical pillars in this story, are in good form. Saif Ali Khan as Sartaj Singh an honest cop is understated. Nawazuddin Siddiqui has played the role of gangster in numerous films before but he never fails to surprise us. The ensemble of character actors that surrounds them whether it is Jatin Sarna as Gaitonde's right hand man Bunty, or Kubra Sait as Kukoo, provides able support.

4) Behind-the-scenes mastery: Aarti Bajaj has done a commendable job of the editing of the web- series never lingering on a scene for too long and never cutting away too quickly. Scene upon scene is layered in such a masterful way that the story unfolds smoothly and is never jarring.

5) The Right Direction: With Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane in the director's saddle the series is certainly in the dark edgy territory. To their credit; despite different cinematic styles, they have managed to jam well as a team. There is a generous dose of violence and some nudity, but given that it is dovetails into gangster story catering to an international audience accustomed to such edginess, it could well be the new style of storytelling emerging from India.

This review originally appeared talkietive.com