Sarkar Raj is sequel of film Sarkar directed by Ram Gopal Verma. The plot has surprising twists and turns. It has tight screenplay, powerful dialogues, excellent cinematography and impressive close ups.
Right from the opening sequence in the film Sarkar Raj, Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan) is seen holding a cup of tea in front of his face. It is similar to Sarkar in the original as a symbolic gesture that he has now taken over the command from his father Sarkar (Amitabh Bachchan).
The story is that Anita Rajan (Aishwarya Rai) is the CEO of a Sheppard Power Plant, an international company brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra before the Nagres, something the state desperately needs in times of power shortage. A similarity with the Enron project in Maharashtra, which has its opposition and troubles. Anyway, it is vague that the CEO of a Multinational company large enough to set up a Rupees 20,000 crore power plant, the company seems to be run only by a father daughter duo with no one else taking decisions.
The insightful Shankar is quick to realize the benefits the power plant can bring to the people. After convincing his father, Sarkar, who isn’t keen on it for various reasons, Shankar undertakes a journey along with Anita to the villages of Maharashtra to mobilize support from the masses.
However, things are not what they seem to be and Shankar’s dream project runs into troubles. The evil forces, mightier than ever, mushroom and gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and wipe off Shankar’s political career. Obstacles unfold one after another and the characters are used as a pawn for a completely different game!
A specific dialogue in the film like “Insaan ko maarna jurm hai, lekin insaan ko sahi waqt pe maarna, rajnithi” leaves a powerful impact. The
cinematography by Amit Roy is supreme, but it appears the director’s fixation for low angle shots, lighting and use of sunlight reflections which he used in earlier films, is repeated here. Prashant Pandey’s screenplay is admirable.
Amitabh Bachchan in the character of Subhash Nagre aka Sarkar in the original part, this time the evolution in his character from the semi retired, almost philosophical Subhash Nagre into the revenge seeking Sarkar is so subtle and real. His son Abhishek underplays and is a man of fewer words.
Aishwarya Rai is the surprise character and delivered brilliant performance in this film. Supriya Pathak and Tanisha do create an impact. Debutant actor Rajesh Shringapure as Sanjay Somji is refreshing but a bit loud in his role.
Sarkar Raj may have the background of power politics but Ram Gopal Verma pulls out his ‘Aces’, one after another to dish out a gripping fare. The final ‘Ace’ he delivers at Sarkar’s house is mind numbing! There is the unnecessary resemblance of the film’s characters to certain real life politicians.
Cast of Sarkar Raj:
Shankar Nagare – Abhishek Bachchan
Subhash Nagare ‘Sarkar’ – Amitabh Bachchan
Mike Rajan – Victor Banerjee
Anita Rajan – Aishwarya Rai
Pushpa Nagre – Supriya Pathak
Mystery Man – Javed Ansari
Kantilal Vora – Upendra Limaye
Hassan Qazi – Govind Namdeo
Bala – Sumeet Nijhawan
Rao Saab – Dilip Prabhavalkar
Sunil Shinde – Shishir Sharma
Karunesh Kaanga – Sayaji Shinde
Sanjay Somji – Rajesh Shringarpore
Avantika – Tanisha
Ravi Kale
CREDITS of Sarkar Raj:
Presenter – Adlabs Films
Producer – Pravin Nischol, Z Picture Company, Ram Gopal Varma
Director – Ram Gopal Varma
Music Director – Bapi – Tutul
Writers – :Prashant Pandey, Ram Gopal Varma
Editor – Prashant Pandey
Technical Credits
Line Producers – Nitin Chandrachud, Abhijit Ghatak
Original Music by Amar Mohile
Cinematography by Amit Roy
Film Editing by Nipun Gupta
Costume Design by Urmilla Lal Motwani
First Assistant Director – Sameer Sadhwani
Art Director – Sunil Nigvekar
Action Director – Allan Amin
Sound Designer – Debashish Mishra
Background Sound – Amar Mohile
Stunts Director – Allan Amin
Editorial Department
Digital Intermediate Colourist – Ken Metzker
Finance Controller – Abhijit Chawathe
Assitant to Director – Karan Rawat
Production Manager – Simran Sawhney
First Assistant Director – Sameer Sadhwani
Second Assistant Directors – Javed Ansari, Neha Sharma
Third Assistant Director – Sandeep Modi
Other Credits of Sarkar Raj
Sound Re-recording mixer – Leslie Fernandes
Sound Designers – Kunal Mehta, Debasish Mishra
Visual Effects by Muthu Stalin
Publicity Designer – Himanshu Nanda, Rahul Nanda
Visual Effects – Adlabs
Music Company – T-Series
Sarkar Raj, movie review