The sexual harrasment allegations against Vikas Bahl and the dissolution of Phantom Films has put a question mark on the future of Sacred Games, the Netflix crime drama web-series which is supposed to come back for the second season.
The first season of Sacred Games was directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane. For the second season, Neeraj Ghaywan will take Motwane's place, but the latter will continue as the creative producer on the show.
Now, there are question marks on Kashyap and Motwane's association with Sacred Games.
When contacted, an official spokesperson from Netflix said, "At this time, we are evaluating options on the path forward.”
Is there a possibility of Netflix asking Kashyap and Motwane to step down from the project? We don't know yet.
It may be recalled that in case of web-series House Of Cards, Netflix had dropped Kevin Spacey after the veteran actor was named in a case of sexual harassment.
Apart from the Phantom Films founders finding themselves mired in controversies, comedy collective All India Bhakchod (AIB) co-founder Gursimran Khamba and CEO Tanmay Bhatt have stepped down from the company following sexual misconduct allegations against comedian Utsav Chakraborty. Digital platform Hotstar has cancelled their season 3 of their show On Air with AIB.
“In the light of recent events involving AIB, we are canceling the production of On Air with AIB Season 3, with immediate effect. We are deeply concerned by these developments, which run contrary to our values as a responsible platform, and will not stand by anything that compromises the respect of the safety of women," Hotstar tweeted.
Is that an option for Netflix? The spokesperson refused to comment anything more than the statement mentioned above.
“It is very brave, and, a good move by Star to have taken this step. Can Netflix do away with Sacred Games? Or can they ask Kashyap and Motwane to step aside from Sacred Games? And also, can Reliance Entertainment scrap Super 30?,” an industry source questioned.
Super 30, starring Hrithik Roshan, is directed by Bahl, who has been accused of sexual harrasment by a former Phantom Films employee, actress Kangana Ranaut and two other victims.
The shooting of Sacred Games was earlier said to commence in September, but thereafter nothing has been heard on that front.
A source closely associated with Sacred Games said, “As of now, I have no idea when the shooting of season two will commence. At the moment, there is no communication from anyone. The principal cast, I believe, is busy with the other projects. Obviously, given the mess that Phantom is in, I don't know what will happen to Sacred Games."
Sacred Games featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles. Siddiqui was recently spotted shooting at Bhavan's College in Mumbai, and based on his look, it didn’t seem like he was shooting for Sacred Games. Meanwhile, Khan is sporting a thick beard for his role of a Naga sadu in The Hunter. He plays a turbaned Sikh police officer in Sacred Games.