Sakar - The game of power. Review on Sarkar

Title: Sarkar

Banner: The Factory

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kay Kay Menon, Supriya Pathak, Rukshar, Katrina Kaif, Anupam Kher, Tanisha, Kota & Jeeva

Direction: Ramgopal Varma

Production: Ram Gopal Varma, Parag Sanghavi

Music: Amar Mohile

Released Date: July 1, 2005

Synopsis

Subash Nagre (Amitabh Bacchan) is not a politician, not a mafia don, but the baddies of Mumbai are afraid of him. He forms a parallel government by the power of his word. He is the Sarkar. He has two sons Vishnu (Kay Kay Meon) and Shankar (Abhishekh) – the elder and the younger. Vishnu goes astray, joining with the baddies, while Shankar is a foreign-returnee. Sarkar warns drug-trafficker Mastan to check his drug trade, which is a social evil. His enemies increase.

On the family front, Vishnu becomes a big problem in the family. His lust for a film actress makes him emotional and he murders the girl’s co-star in a fit of jealousy. Just Sarkar avoids shielding his son. He takes refuge with Sarkar’s enemies – Selva Mani (Kota), Rasheed and Masthan. The stage so set, the opposition leader (Anupam Kher) is murdered by the baddies gang. But, Sarkar is suspected and put in police custody. Shankar comes to know the ugly realities – that his brother is lured by the villains. He survives an attack on his life; and saves Sarkar from an assassination attempt in the jail.

Back home, Shankar kills his own brother Vishnu, who attempts to kill his own father Sarkar. The honest son is on the revenge spree, kills all, and destabilizes the government for a mid-term poll. All for his dad. Sarkar waves to the crowds from the terrace, and the power behind Sarkar sips the tea.

Performance

Amitabh Bacchan is at his best as Sarkar. It is highly interesting to watch the Big B co-starring his son Abhisekh on the reel. All through the movie, his attire in the black and simple mannerisms shock the audiences. He well proves that time and tide waits for none, but for Amitabh.

Abhisekh takes over the mantle of angry young man from his dad in this movie. The second half belongs to him. His acting prowess in the climax shots is simply superb.

Kay Kay Menon’s role as “Bad son” comes alive with natural flavor in the backdrop of a family drama.

Katrina Kaif, who plays the heroine to Abhisekh, gets little footage, but situational going by Varma trend. She loves his boyfriend, but is afraid of the gang wars. She chooses life, and not risk.

Kota is a major asset of the movie. With his typical Tamil-migrant in Mumbai-style, he dominates the scenes with his arresting dialogues. “I South, operation North,” “Clean-Bould” are a few words he utters repeatedly. In a sense, he speaks Hinglish. Kota is a must watch.

All the other characters did excellent job. Neither more nor less. Varma’s mind comes alive.

Technical Details

The story is old. Varma himself admitted it’s a direct import from Hollywood “God Father”. But he successfully adapted the concept and clubbed it with Bal Thackerey’s real-life endeavors. It is a neat family drama, an action genre and justifies Varma’s contention that – I am here only for Entertainment.

Screenplay: True to Varma’s style, Sarkar runs from point to point. No flashbacks at all. Two halves are equally divided. Each and every scene is important to the advancement of the movie.

Direction is remarkable. You get the feel of watching a Hollywood flick. Coming to characterization, all the characters are well established.

Dialogues are situational and the department, with little scope, but with great impact, creates a trend.

Music by Amar Mohile is great. The background music is extraordinary. The “Govinda” track – used in the escapade of Abhisekh and his climax shots; and another Tabla-dominated track are a superb watch. The fact that there are no songs in the movie itself is an asset to it.

Stunts department is terrific. The scene where a baddie is hit with dumbbells is all the rage. In all the sequences, it’s the charge from only one end. Either from the hero or the villains’ end. You don’t find any clash.

Costumes department and Arts division are highly appreciable.

FC Verdict

The movie is a must watch for Amitabh and Varma combination.