The Bachchans Rule. Review on Sarkar Raj

'Power is not given…………. it has to be taken'.

These are the opening lines of the much-awaited, Bollywood’s first-family starrer sequel to 'Sarkar' – a Ram Gopal Verma prodigy. In short the movie is all about power-tussles. This is perhaps the 32nd review on this film (if before I hit the submit button, some more have not entered the foray). **So why should you read the whole of it ???

Well, I have not seen ‘Sarkar’, neither ‘Godfather’. To tell you frankly, I don’t know the inner details of the Thackeray family (there were rumours that it’s Mr. Balasaheb Thackeray’s story). I openly express my ignorance regarding the Enron power project. And yes, I went to see this film with an open mind and did not read any reviews before watching the film or completing my own review. So what’s the big deal here, you may ask. **Simply that this review solely talks about my opinion on ‘Sarkar Raj’ per se. Every individual is unique so I am here to put forth my unique ideas.

*Enough of initial ramblings, now let’s get down to business….

The Plot

 After 30 odd reviews, the plot must have already been done to death. To summarise, it takes over 2 years after the previous one left off.  Subhash Nagare addressed as ‘Sarkar’* is the Maharashtra kingpin. His son Shankar Nagare has done him proud by taking over the social work to greater heights. His vision and mission is to take Maharashtra a notch higher. Anita Rajan, head of Sheppard power project, an international firm approaches Sarkar to to resolve the issues regarding Thakarwadi -the site of the project. Though Sarkar does not approve , the radical thinker Shankar convinces him. From here onwards, Shankar and Anita put in all efforts to awaken the villagers. They try to spread awareness about the progress the project will bring. But every change initially meets with a lot of resistance (We MSians are live examples: No offence intended plz). Somji, grandson of Rao Sahib, Sarkar’s mentor starts infuriating the villagers against Shankar and the power project.  Slowly, steadily but unknowingly Shankar is sucked into a political conspiracy. Treading the path he has chosen, he eventually has a lot to loose.

Who master-minded the whole conspiracy? Who helped in executing it at each stage? What did Shankar stand to loose? How does Sarkar react to this? What happened to the Sheppard power project? If these questions haunt you, do go and catch this flick.

Dialogues I loved* (Might not be the exact replica of what was uttered**)

--- *Door ke fayde ke liye, kabhi kabhi nazdeeki nuksaan bhoolne padte hain.

(Abhishek to this Dad, to win his support for the Sheppard power project.)

--- Kal hum tum nahin rahenge, reh jayega yeh power project aur usse aane wali Maharashtra ki  tarraki. (Abhishek to Aishwarya on one of their village tours. )

--- Mera naam hai ‘Shrikant Vora’, Vvvvvvvvvorrra, Vvvvvvvvvorrrrrrra !!!

(This is howUpendra Limaye introduces himself )

I found many more interesting and some humorous dialogues too, but if I narrate all of them, why would you go to watch the film???

*Positives

Performances*

--- Compared to Abhishek, Amitabh (Subhash Nagare) had a smaller yet substantial role. As expected from this icon, he delivered it stupendously.

--- Ram Gopal Verma is also added to the list of directors who can make Aishwarya (Anita Rajan) act. She looked and emoted brilliantly. (Family influence perhaps shall we say ... lol ).

--- Dilip Prabhavalkar as Rao Saheb (Recall 'Gandhi' from Lage Rahe Munnabhai) was unrecognisable, except for his voice.

--- Ravi Kale as Chander, Sarkar's right hand man was 'bald but bold' and impressive.

--- Gobind Namdeo as Hasan Qazi was his cunning self. He lived up to the character he was portraying. Audience will love to hate him.

--- Upendra Limaye as Vora seemed to have walked right onto the sets from a coalmine or better still a gold mine. Fully adorned with heavy jewellery, he played the role of a a Gujju business to perfection.

--- Sayaji Shinder as Deputy CM was irritating to the core (sorry can't recall his name). His habits, his voice even his looks were detestable.

--- Rajesh Shringarpore as Sanjay Somji was loud but effective.

--- Victor Banerjee as Mike Rajan, Aishwarya’s dad was wasted. I feel after his ‘Joggers Park’ days got over, he’s stopped exercising, since he seemed laterally challenged.

--- Ratna Pathak Shah as Mrs. Sarkar didn’t have much to do.

--- Tanisha as Avantika, Mrs. Sarkar Jr. came and went as a flash of lightening. So couldn’t get a taste of her so-called talent.

--- But the cherry on the cake was definitely Abhishek Bachchan(Shankar Nagare). His performance was a class apart. He was splendid. Actually, his ideology made him more likable and his emoting skills have somewhat improved.

*Direction

RGV’s direction had been the magnet that attracted this humble iron filling (me silly !!!) towards the theatre. In spite of his recent ‘Aag’ debacle, his direction was par-excellence. He played brilliantly with sunlight in the climax scene, where Amitabh and Aishwarya are sitting with their faces half illuminated and half silhouetted signifying probably the dawning of the reality.

*Negatives

Music*

Bollywood focuses on music to enhance the overall impact and for the clichéd ‘kahani ko aage badhane ke liye’.  In this movie though the music was to some extent a deterrent. I say this because it made dialogue grasping ability difficult at places. The only words I could make out clearly were, “Govinda, Govinda, Govinda, Govinda, Govinda” .

Also the plot was at some places predictable and the movie seemed to be rushed.

My Verdict

If RGV’s direction gives you a kick and you are interested in watching the entire Bachchan clan together- well almost, do watch this once.

*Message Drawn

*Gandhiji said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world". Most of us here detest politics. But to draw a line somewhere, we need to come forward . I am impressed by the new lot of young leaders entering the political arena. "Lead India" campaign was one such effort to bring forth youth leaders. For lack of space I cannot write more, but please don't mis-interpret my noble intentions. Think about it and feel free to use the comments section to share your views.

Facts Time

--- Initially the movie was of 2 hrs 48 mins. Later it was cut down to 2 hrs 5 mins, dont' know why ?

--- There is going to be a sequel to this sequel too. RGV is working on the script right now !!!

Thanks for reading and RRCing in advance.