Sacred Games: Varun Grover reveals why Saif Ali Khan-Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Netflix series ended after two seasons

The acclaimed writer and lyricist Varun Grover is absolutely ecstatic after winning the BAFTA Breakthrough 2024 for his directorial debut, All India Rank. He discusses his journey's significance of worldwide recognition, his many collaborations with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, and the decision to terminate Sacred Games after two seasons.

Varun Grover reflects on the significance of worldwide recognition and career aspirations

This year's BAFTA Breakthrough program participants include the brilliant Varun Grover. He expressed his happiness to Mid Day, describing it as a realisation of his dreams. He expressed that this journey holds significant importance for him, as he is currently in a stage of his career where he aspires to narrate global stories, deeply rooted in India, yet still resonating with the global audience. Grover is hoping to use this opportunity to connect with filmmakers around the world.

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The story of his life as a late-90s engineering hopeful served as the basis for his film All India Rank, which earned him acclaim. As he reflects on his upbringing and the testing pressures he felt then, he realises that making the film was a little like going back in time.

Shooting the film without any stars was the most difficult part of the production. His office was full of newcomers eager to make an impact. According to him, this had a profound impact on the film, shaping it in a way that was innovative and superior.

End of Sacred Games: Varun Grover explains the decision to terminate after two seasons

Grover became famous after penning the hit Netflix series Sacred Games. Despite being widely considered a masterwork in the OTT industry, it was a two-season disappointment. Due to the numerous unanswered questions, many viewers enquired about the possibility of a third season. Grover, on the other hand, asserts that the project's termination was not abrupt but rather a reflection of the creator's intentions.

While their two seasons encompassed the entirety of Vikram Chandra's book, they did not end on a cliffhanger. Grover clarified that they left the ending open for interpretation.

Varun Grover’s longstanding collaboration with Anurag Kashyap and the impact of Gangs of Wasseypur

Anurag Kashyap's films have featured several of Grover's songs. His association with Gangs of Wasseypur felt like a lifetime experience. He began penning the tunes in 2010, and in 2012 saw the film's release. Grover gained a wealth of knowledge throughout the two-year process. Among the many things he picked up from Kashyap when he first started working for him was the importance of having faith in one's team. The filmmaker's level of faith in Grover was unparalleled, and the autonomy he grants his team is unparalleled in its ability to push them to their limits. Because they are their own employer in a sense, they take full responsibility for their actions, which boosts their performance.

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