The positive feedback aside, Netflix original series Sacred Games is having its fair share of controversies too. Apart from upsetting some members of the Congress party for allegedly insulting former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, another controversy seems to be the eerie similarity between the track of characters Zoya and Karan Malhotra, played by Iranian actress Elnaaz Norouzi and Karan Wahi, to real-life actors Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan.
The character of Zoya is a popular actress living with her abusive, drug-addict, movie star boyfriend Karan Mahotra (played by Wahi). Zoya has roots in Afghanistan and Pakistan. She also has close ties with Inspector Parulkar (Neeraj Kabi). Similarities are being drawn between Zoya and real-life actress Kaif, who hails from London and has gone to become a popular film star in Hindi cinema. Early in her career, Kaif had developed a strong bond with actor Khan, who she also had a relationship with. They also worked together in a few films.
In of the episodes, tired of her boyfriend Karan's bullying, Zoya seeks the help of Inspector Parulkar. In that scene, Zoya is heard telling Parulkar that Karan had mowed down two people in a hit and run case.
Khan has been an accused in the much publicised 2002 hit-and-run case, where he allegedly mowed down five pavement dwellers, killing one. He was said to be under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
Sacred Games directors Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane seem to be taking a dig at Khan by casually, yet smartly throwing in real-life references in the web-series.
In another scene, Karan does not approve of Zoya signing a film with an actor called Ranbir. This is a clear reference to actor Ranbir Kapoor, who Kaif dated before they parted ways in a much publicised breakup.
Norouzi has been taken by surprise with the Khan and Kaif similarities being talked about. The actress claimed that no such ideas came to her mind while shooting.
“While shooting the episodes, we never had any feeling like that and just followed the script which is based on the novel by Vikram Chandra. It's surprising that now suddenly there is this controversy about it,” Norouzi said in a statement.