Bade and Chotte Sarkar. Review on Sarkar

There’s a wonderful scene in Godfather where Marlon Brando says to the undertaker “See how they’ve massacred my boy.”Thankfully Ram Gopal Verma hasn’t massacred the movie through his tribute to it - ‘Sarkar’.Okay that was corny.But true!

Now,I’ve watched the original and please let’s not draw any comparisons.There can never be any.So lets free ourselves of our expectations and enjoy the roller coaster ride that is Sarkar.The opening sequence is a blatant copy from the first movie but what the heck,its shown well and this time its apna desi Marlon Brando whose doing the histronics.

Sarkar is the story of a man,Subhash Nagre(Amitabh Bachchan) who considers it his duty(right?) to mete out justice as he considers best.He is least concerned whether his actions are acceptable to society or the law.His just decisions earn him the love and respect of the common junta who idolize him and grant him the title of Sarkar(Lord or master).The best way to describe his persona is a line from the film itself “ Sarkar ek soch hain.”However he faces rebellion in his home and hearth itself from his impulsive and brash son Vishnu(Kay Kay Menon).But he does have a steady support in his younger America- returned son Shankar(Abhishek Bachchan).

All good things come to an end and so does Sarkar’s unchallenged superiority.His very minions plot for his downfall and very nearly succeed.They even employ his own son against him.Thankfully their efforts are foiled and they are suitably punished for their mutinous actions. .But a weary Nagre takes voluntary retirement and the mantle passes to the heir Shankar.

My favourite scenes are :

1.Amitabh and Kay Kay’s confrontation at the dinner table.

2.Sarkar’s refusal to allow the entry of drugs into the state.

3.Vishnu’s attempt to assassinate his father.

4.Shankar fleeing from the villains pursuing him, to the rousing music of ‘Govinda’(I think Mallika Sherawat would really enjoy this scene!)

5.The last scene with Shankar as the new Sarkar.

Performances:

Amitabh Bachchan is the only actor capable of playing such a commanding character.His eyes just hold you mesmerized and you are left totally in awe of him.I really pity his costars.Imagine having to measure upto his performance!

What do I say about Chotte Sarkar’s performance?Awesome,awesome and awesome!He plays the character in a very understated way.But the intensity still comes across very well.A fitting successor to his father in real and reel life.

Kay Kay is outstanding as the son who wants to make it out of his father’s shadow at any cost.Why isn’t this guy a star already?A very complex role to portray and he rises to the occasion superbly.

Supriya Pathak as Mrs.Nagre is adequate.However it must have been a really tough job for her to play a character poles apart from the well known Hansa from Khichdi.Rukhsaar as Vishnu’s wife doesn’t have a role meaty enough to better display her acting abilities but she manages well with whatever she has.Tanishaa and Katrina are unnecessary elements in the film.

My only crib is that Abhishek’s character should have had more screen time.But I guess that’s what sequels are for,right?Rukhsaar’s character too should have been better defined.

Ram Gopal Varma’s direction is straightforward and therefore most effective.No fancy frills for him.I hope he comes out with many more movies like this.The music is suited to the film.Thankfully no item numbers!The background score is award winning and adds a menacing quality to the goings on.

A must see for lovers of mafia literature and films of the same genre.You know what,if you want a good,sensible cinematic experience then go and watch it now!