Sarkar Review

Expressions and screenplay create maximum impact in the intense drama called 'Sarkar'. It won't be wrong to say that 'Sarkar' stands firm on these two pillars. From the very first shot of Amitabh Bachchan's 'qila' (fort) being projected in a innovative fusion of convex and concave lenses to the last shot where Abhishek Bachchan enters his father's (big) boots to become 'Sarkar', Ram Gopal Verma's genius of creating a spell binding impact is clearly visible. And no! The director didn't go away anywhere to come back in form! He was just waiting for a good enough product to hit back. And he does that in a tremendous fashion !

Welcome to the world of 'Sarkar'. 'Sarkar', who lives in a fort that has its own army. 'Sarkar', who does what HE feels is right. 'Sarkar', who doesn't need a business management course to learn that 'Power' comes by uniting people, not by creating a rift between them ! 'Sarkar', who runs a parallel government. While Subhash Nagare [Amitabh Bachchan] popularly called 'Sarkar' by his followers, does his bit for the needy after hearing their grievances, or offers drug peddlers a cup of tea while refusing to either work with them or letting them work, the camera never fails to capture subtleties like a maid in the background cleaning up floors or his grandson cycling in the lobby! And this is where the beauty in the screenplay lies!

'Sarkar' begins with a one line statement on the screen - When A System Fails, A Power Will Rise - hence paving way for Nagre to make a kick start with his ready judgment. Good 30 minutes are spent to introduce every character in the movie. Dark look accompanies every frame, be it 'Sarkar's elder son Vishnu [Kay Kay], his 'secretary' Ishrat Ali, his consiglieri Chandar [Ravi Kale], his South India counterpart Selvan Mani, his CM friend Deepak Shirke, politician Raju Mavani, drug peddlar Rashid [Zakir] and Chandraswami 'character-alike' Virendraswami [Jeeva]. Abhishek Bachchan, as a mature son returning from US doesn't get a grand entry but the scene showing him arrive at airport with 15 odd gun wielding guards in tow do create an aura. There is (rather unwanted) love triangle too with Katrina Kaif and Tanissha, but thankfully it is relegated to the background.

Story wise 'Sarkar' is quite simple as it is about a man who does his best for the 'junta'. How everyone from politicians, underworld, religious 'gurus' and his own son Kay Kay conspire against him and attempt to eliminate him and his 'Sarkar' forms the crux of the movie. How Abhishek Bachchan thwarts their plans and becomes 'Sarkar' himself is the biggest highlight. If one thought that coming together of both the Bachchans on a single frame would be the single most USP then that would be unfair to other actors. Some of the best scenes in the movie are not with the two of them but some others like:

1) Drug peddler Rashid approaching Sarkar with a profit sharing proposal. The way Sarkar rebukes him and then warns him in quick succession is a brilliantly executed sequence. Background music elevates the scene to a high from where the movie never looks back again.

2) Kay Kay's confrontation with Big B after killing the hero of his film. His outburst, abusive language and sheer displeasure for his father make him the most hated man on the scene. One of the best dramatic scene, Bachchan's eyes and his subsequent wave of hands asking him to go away say it all.

3) Interval point, which is candidly shot with Big B getting ready for jail while Abhishek stands near the door say it all....that the younger son wants to own the responsibilities from this moment on.

4) Killing of Rashid is quite stylishly shot
In fact, it is difficult to single out any sequences that are not impressive! The 2 hr. long movie can be easily treated as one single scene since the narrative