Ep 3. Aatapi Vatapi

In Sacred Games season 1 episode 3 titled "Aatapi Vatapi", the story takes a deeper dive into the backgrounds of the main characters, Sartaj Singh and Ganesh Gaitonde. Sartaj is a disillusioned police officer struggling to live up to his late father's legacy, while Ganesh is a powerful crime lord with a troubled past.

The episode begins with Sartaj receiving a phone call from Ganesh, who reveals that he has kidnapped his own chief advisor, Bunty. He gives Sartaj a cryptic warning that a major attack is about to take place in Mumbai in 25 days, and tells him that he will release Bunty only if Sartaj agrees to help him in a certain job.

Sartaj meets Ganesh in person and learns that he wants him to track down a mysterious woman named Kukkoo, who he believes could help him in his quest for power. Kukkoo is a transgender woman who works in a high-end brothel, and is known for her stunning looks and charming personality. Ganesh is immediately smitten by her, and wants her to be a part of his inner circle.

Meanwhile, Sartaj investigates a crime scene where a young couple has been brutally murdered. He finds a clue that leads him to a seedy hotel where drug addicts and prostitutes hang out. There, he meets a sex worker named Zoya who gives him information about a drug dealer who might have some connections to the murders.

Sartaj's struggle with his own demons is evident in this episode, as he is haunted by memories of his abusive father and his own failed marriage. He also struggles with the corrupt system he is a part of, where every move is dictated by politics and money.

On the other hand, Ganesh's past is revealed through a series of flashbacks, in which he narrates the story of his childhood to his advisor Bunty. He talks about how he and his brother grew up in poverty and had to resort to crime to survive. The episode also sheds light on his troubled relationship with his father, who was a violent alcoholic.

As the episode progresses, Sartaj's search for the drug dealer leads him to an unexpected ally in the form of Anjali Mathur, a RAW agent who is investigating a larger conspiracy that could be linked to the upcoming attack in Mumbai. Anjali offers to help Sartaj in his search for the murderer, but warns him that he might be crossing some dangerous lines.

Towards the end of the episode, Sartaj comes face to face with the drug dealer, and the ensuing confrontation leads to a violent shootout. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Sartaj's life hanging in the balance.

Overall, "Aatapi Vatapi" is a riveting episode that delves deeper into the complex characters of Sartaj and Ganesh, and sets up the narrative for the larger conspiracy that unfolds in the rest of the season. It is a dark, gritty and violent tale that showcases the underbelly of Mumbai's crime world, and leaves the viewer waiting for more.