Nawazuddin Siddiqui, renowned for his versatile acting skills, recently reflected on his iconic role as Ganesh Gaitonde in the hit series “Sacred Games,” highlighting why the first season resonated more with audiences compared to the second. Siddiqui revealed that while he was part of both seasons, he has a special preference for the first season, which he believes connected more deeply with viewers.
According to Siddiqui, the introduction of several new characters in the second season was a significant factor that contributed to its comparatively lukewarm reception. He explained, “There were new characters, so it didn’t work. There were 3-4 new characters so it didn’t work at all. Because what happens is that, the character that people loved at first, if you make them weak, people won’t accept it.” This shift, he believes, diluted the audience’s connection to the original characters, particularly Gaitonde, whose strong presence in the first season was a major draw for viewers.
Siddiqui drew a parallel to his experience watching the American crime drama “Narcos,” specifically mentioning how the weakening of Pablo Escobar’s character in the second season diminished his emotional investment in the show. He noted that a similar effect occurred with “Sacred Games 2,” where the weakening of Gaitonde’s character led to a loss of interest among viewers who had grown attached to his powerful portrayal in the first season.
Discussing his famous dialogue, “Kabhi Kabhi lagta hai ki apun hi Bhagwan hai,” Siddiqui admitted that he initially found it strange and had no idea it would become so iconic. The dialogue, which has spawned countless memes, remains one of the most memorable aspects of the show.
Reflecting on the unique atmosphere that made the first season so special, Siddiqui remarked, “There is a kind of energy of the director and actors and a magical atmosphere which cannot be recreated.” This, he believes, is why attempts to replicate the success of the original often fall short.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s body of work, including films like “Gangs of Wasseypur,” “The Lunchbox,” “Raman Raghav 2.0,” and “Manto,” has earned him numerous accolades, including a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s finest actors.
