Here’s Everyone Who Died in ‘Sacred Games’ Season 1

Brush up before ‘Sacred Games’ 2 drops!

Death is as common a part of television/web shows as it is of real life. And despite the argument that shows are often an escape from the drudgery of everyday life, one can’t tell if we enjoy them in spite of the portrayal of gruesome deaths or because of it. After all, according to a report by Music Magpie, one of the most popular American shows of recent times - Game of Thrones - has the second largest number of onscreen deaths.

Now, Indian shows are new to this phenomenon. While the West has had shows like The Walking Dead where deaths are conveniently woven into the plot, we’ve spent years following the boring old lives of Tulsi and Mihir (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi). But all that changed with Netflix’s Sacred Games, which premiered last year.

Starring big screen faces like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Saif Ali Khan, Sacred Games follows the life of a Mumbai gangster in the aftermath of his death and a police officer determined to save the city. The 8-episode series, owing to its genre, has a fascinating number of deaths. And while not all of them are of enough significance, here’s looking at eight impactful deaths ahead of the show’s second season, which drops on 15 August.

Too busy to read? Listen to this instead:

1. Ganesh Gaitonde

In case it wasn’t obvious enough already... Ganesh Gaitonde, one of Sacred Games’ lead characters, is dead. Played by the talented Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ganesh Gaitonde died early on in the season. In episode one, itself. After spooking police officer Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan) with a mysterious phone call, Gaitonde shoots himself in the head in front of him. Leaving behind a frustratingly unclear 25-day countdown for Sartaj to follow.

But just because Gaitonde is dead doesn’t mean he disappears from the rest of the show. Season 1 of Sacred Games is a back-and-forth between Sartaj in present day and flashbacks of gangster Gaitonde. And from the looks of it, season 2 will be taking us deeper into Gaitonde’s bloody past.

2. Kukoo

Played by the charming Kubra Sait, Kukoo is found dead by Gaitonde after his rival Isa’s men disrupt a celebration at his house. Making his way through the gunfire, he finally reaches his room to discover that Kukoo is lying motionless on the floor. With blood spattered all over and a shard of glass in her hand, it’s implied that Kukoo commits suicide.

Moroever, just before this scene, Gaitonde and Kukoo have an emotional conversation where Kukoo foreshadows her own death. “Bachchan ko zinda rehne ke liye, Parveen Babi go jaana hoga na? (For Bachchan to live, Parveen Babi must die),” are her last words to Ganesh.

3. Constable Katekar

Out of all the sudden and heart-wrenching deaths in Sacred Games, there was none quite as that of Constable Katekar (Jitendra Joshi). Perhaps Sartaj’s only friend, Katekar always showed up for all his life-threatening shenanigans and illegal police inquiries. Their friendship remained unsaid yet appreciated. Katekar was the Watson to Sartaj’s Sherlock. Even though calling Sartaj Sherlock is quite a stretch, I know.

In an unbelievably gruesome portrayal of death, Katekar’s neck is slashed as vengeance for his brutal treatment of a suspect earlier in the episode. Katekar’s death went on to inspire a cheesy and heartwarming meme fest on the internet.

4. Bunty

Who can forget Bunty and his chatri, right? Played by actor Jatin Sarna, Bunty was Gaitonde’s most trusted gang member whom Sartaj sought in hope of some clue about what’s going to happen after the 25-day countdown. Alas, Bunty is shot dead just when it starts to feel like he may have some answers. After Sartaj and Anjali Mathur’s (Radhika Apte) trap for Bunty goes wrong, Jatin Sarna’s character dies in a messy and futile police encounter.

5. Anjali Mathur

For a show that’s so over-the-top (with deep, meaningful episode titles and whatnot) and dramatic, Anjali Mathur’s death in Sacred Games was quite underwhelming. Played by Radhika Apte, Anjali Mathur is a determined and driven RAW agent who breaks into Malcolm Mourad’s (Luke Kenny) house. After coming across evidence she clearly isn’t supposed to, she urgently calls for police back up. Which is when Malcolm, having heard her, creeps up from behind her and shoots her point blank.

6. JoJo Mascarenas

Not many might recall but Jojo Mascarenas’ death is first of the many gruesome deaths to follow in Sacred Games. Episode 1 of the first season begins with a wounded Jojo dragging herself on the floor of Gaitonde’s house. Even before Gaitonde shoots her dead, she’s severely bleeding but the smirk on her face betrays her physical vulnerability.

As the teasers of season 2 suggest, Jojo, played by Surveen Chawla, is going to make a comeback. While that doesn’t make her un-dead, it’s the closest we can get to anything like that in Sacred Games.

7. Subhadra

In the aftermath of Kukoo’s death, Gaitonde finds comfort in the arms of his now wife Subhadra. Just like the women in Gaitonde’s life, Subhadra (Rajshri Deshpande) becomes a victim of the gangster’s ambitions. After a bunch of Gaitonde’s enemies (Isa’s men) open fire at Gaitonde’s house, Subhadra is shot dead and later discovered by a heartbroken Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Making revenge Gaitonde’s driving force yet again.

8. Sartaj’s Thumb

In the final episode of Sacred Games season 1, Sartaj Singh’s thumb makes suddenly takes centre stage in his fight against Luke Kenny’s character. A relentless Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan), after piecing together all kinds of clues, finds himself caught and tied up by the ‘bad guys’ aka Malcolm Mourad and his men. It’s here that Sartaj loses his thumb (If you think this doesn’t count, try spending an entire day with your thumb tied up). In an excruciatingly painful sequence, Sartaj’s thumb is cut off by a cold-blooded Malcolm and he writhes in pain and runs for his life.