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( Thanks to MIMI at SB)
Sequels are dicey business. No matter how much you improvise on your new script, you cannot escape comparisons. And when you attempt a sequel of a critically acclaimed film that’s a huge box-office grosser as well, it’s akin to walking on a tight rope.
Most importantly, post RAMGOPAL VARMA KI AAG, Ramgopal Varma was everyone’s favorite punching bag [till TASHAN dethroned RGV KI AAG]. “Finished”, “spent force”, “has-been”, “Pack up” were commonly used terms for RGV.
Now here’s great news! SARKAR RAJ supersedes the prequel and most importantly, RGV bounces back like never before. If you felt SHIVA and later SATYA were his finest efforts, you’ve got to watch SARKAR RAJ. An outstanding film in all respects, this film has all it takes to emerge a major success story at the box-office… and a landmark film in everyone’s careers
When Anita [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan], CEO of Sheppard Power Plant, an international company, brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra before the Nagres, insightful Shankar [Abhishek Bachchan] is quick to realize the benefits the power plant can bring to the people.
After convincing Sarkar [Amitabh Bachchan], who is against 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 gradually becomes a political minefield. The evil forces, mightier than ever, mushroom and gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and obliterate Shankar’s name from the political horizon.
SARKAR RAJ exudes a lot of power from the word ‘Go’. But let’s not categorize SARKAR RAJ as yet another “political film”. Emotions and relationships run concurrently in those 2+ hours. What works in favor of SARKAR RAJ is its tight writing. It’s not difficult to decipher the power play, but more importantly, there’s meat in the script. It leaves you awe-struck as the plot thickens. The film throws a number of surprises, but the best is reserved for the penultimate 20/25 minutes. The culmination to the story is simply fantastic!
RGV shines like never before. He takes to SARKAR RAJ with a vengeance. He has to prove that the sequel is better, he has to prove the detractors wrong too. While RGV has handled the subject with great expertise, you cannot ignore a few scenes that leave a lasting impact…
* Ash’s first meeting with the Bachchans to explain the power project;
* Govind Namdev trying to bribe Abhishek;
* The Bachchans’ visit to Dilip Prabhawalkar’s residence;
* The Bachchans’ discussion over Kay Kay [who was shot dead by Abhishek in the prequel];
* The turning point in the film [not to be disclosed];
* The penultimate reels when the real culprit stands exposed. It hits you like a ton of bricks.
Besides its strong content, SARKAR RAJ has been filmed exceptionally well too. In fact, SARKAR RAJ has the trademark RGV stamp in every sequence. The review would be incomplete without giving the due credit to writer Prashant Pandey’s incredible and almost flawless script. Amar Mohile’s background score is topnotch. The by-now-famous ‘Govinda’ chant in the background only enhances the impact. Amit Roy’s cinematography is exceptional. The DoP succeeds in giving the film the raw-n-rustic look, which works very well. Action [Allan Amin], in minimal doses, is perfect.
SARKAR RAJ is embellished with superb performances! Amitabh Bachchan, expectedly, comes up with a terrific performance. He’s as ferocious as a wounded tiger in the finale and takes the film to great heights.
First YUVA, then GURU, now SARKAR RAJ. Abhishek Bachchan is cast opposite the finest actor of this country, yet he sparkles in every sequence. This time, the father and son go neck to neck as far as acting honors go. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is fabulous and delivers her career-best performance in SARKAR RAJ. Enough has been written about her looks, but not much space has been devoted to her performances. HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM, DEVDAS, PROVOKED, GURU, JODHAA AKBAR and now SARKAR RAJ – she’s only got better with every film.
Every supporting actor in SARKAR RAJ stands out – Dilip Prabhawalkar [superb], Govind Namdev [first-rate], Sayaji Shinde [perfect], Ravi Kale [terrific] and Supriya Pathak [good]. Tanisha is alright. The actor enacting the role of Dilip Prabhawalkar’s grandson makes a strong impact.
On the whole, SARKAR RAJ is an exceptional film in all respects. At the box-office, it has all it takes to set new records in days to come!
****
Link : http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/12651/index.html
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ok i c it now 
Kanwal 5 June 2008
10:29:19 am
I guess this will be a bigger hit than i predicted.will increase from 45-47 cr to 50+ now.
texas_swat 5 June 2008
10:38:45 am
“At the box-office, it has all it takes to set new records in days to come!
**** ”
4 stars. thats as many as he gave welcome, OSO, D2. Taran looks very bullish on this one.
let me re-estimate the opening week….. possibly 35-40cr. overall 70cr.
Eire 5 June 2008
11:06:25 am
The review was a copesetic and pucker. Sarkar Raj sounds like a cinematic treat. I can’t wait to watch it.
N I T E S H 5 June 2008
11:07:46 am
Is is Taran or Toran(beld)…..most of the portions are same
N I T E S H 5 June 2008
11:09:53 am
5 cheers to Bahchcans!
Am happy for them. Sarkaar Raaj is fitting into all predictions (critical as well as commercial).
N I T E S H 5 June 2008
11:18:53 am
‘SARKAR RAJ is embellished with superb performances! Amitabh Bachchan, expectedly, comes up with a terrific performance. He’s as ferocious as a wounded tiger in the finale and takes the film to great heights.’
BigB strikes again. He is a tiget in all sense when it comes to performance.
‘This time, the father and son go neck to neck as far as acting honors go. ‘
whoa…that’s a compliment!
Aish – ab aur kya kahein?
N I T E S H 5 June 2008
11:28:36 am
Ravi bhai, Rocky, aby2000 and Satyam….tons of badhaiyaan!
Kunal27 5 June 2008
11:43:42 am
The Skeptic from SB
Nitesh, a positive review from Taran is no cause for celebration – in fact, the contrary might be truer. As a Bachchan-fand *and* a Varma-fan, I remain skeptical. Audience reactions over the first few days are key here, not the critics. In any case, I seriously doubt SR will cross 50 crores. It is not a mass-masala entertainer, and does not skew towards young audiences, which is the desired demographic. The film even falls between two stools, not quite multiplex-friendly, but not very single-screen friendly either.
rks 5 June 2008
11:51:56 am
I agree with TS but at same point I also saw Race crossing 60 with adult theme.
N I T E S H 5 June 2008
12:01:09 pm
Skeptic….Ab Sarkaar`Raaj ko BO par raaj rarne se koi nahin rok saktaa hai.
shuruati rujhaan is an indicator and moreover, it is turning out to be as expected.
Kunal27 5 June 2008
12:01:35 pm
That was a mass movie RKS, and I don’t think it was so much of adult theme in the movie. It was just promoted that way.
Kunal27 5 June 2008
12:03:13 pm
5 Jun 08, 12:00
TheSkeptic: By the way, I think Gaurav Malani’s review is decent, balanced and accurate as any we’re going to get. It makes a powerful point on the bad-guys being caricatures. The first part too had caricatures for bad-guys, but they were amusing, and Zakir in particular managed to be menacing without much in the way of narrative help. Can lightning strike twice? Can Varma make caricatures work all over again? That is my worry. Audiences are a bit more forgiving of such things than critics who tire very quickly. Which is why I’m counting on the audiences with this film.
Kunal27 5 June 2008
12:14:08 pm
I guess TS intended to reply here only….
5 Jun 08, 12:11
TheSkeptic: RKS, by “young”, I of course don’t mean the 5-15 demographic, but the 15-25 one. The latter demographic is precisely the segment that Race was aimed at, with its swanky locales, Hollywood “style” (and of course borrowed plot) and multiple “babes”.
ILG 5 June 2008
12:59:15 pm
A nice beginning.
Lets see what unfolds.
Local Walmarts stocking up on Pampers as they expect high demand. But, would still wait before celebrating prematurely.
rks 5 June 2008
01:12:36 pm
If some portion of 15-30 age group can push Race to 60 then why not SarkarRaj.
rks 5 June 2008
01:15:59 pm
I am just worried about the ‘blitzkrieg’ after the first BO report.
jayshah 5 June 2008
02:07:05 pm
‘A nice beginning’
Could be a jinx too ILG. Lets wait for NG reviews. I’m probably checking it out tom evening, haven’t seen a movie in ages now!
Rocky 5 June 2008
02:53:29 pm
Thanks a Lot Nitesh !
I may not be able to go this weekend.
what about you ?
Rocky 5 June 2008
03:04:50 pm
Review by Moviemagic from Dubai !
http://moviemagik.blogspot.com
E
xcerpts:
Because at the end of the day, for some one like Ram Gopal Varma this is just one of those exercise routines where he got more things right than wrongs. But never does it ever pose a threat to the list of his materpieces. For we all know that RGV is a director capable of much more.
With Sarkar Raj what he manages essentialy is to maintain the solid punch and feel that he delivered the first time around. Thus in that RGV can sigh a relief. Yet it is obvious that this one deserve a trilogy style follow up to wrap things up. This is one that RGV can easily pick up and take the series for a third go.
Good One !!
Rocky 5 June 2008
03:12:33 pm
NG securing Macy’s Advert!!
Neat !!!
Aditya 5 June 2008
03:58:59 pm
i trust moviemagik’s review of “sarkar raj” far more than taran adouche’s. generally, early reviews seem 2 indicate that its actually better than the original. i’m glad 2 hear that! its a really rare thing in bollywood.
Qalandar 5 June 2008
05:04:28 pm
I just realized that mission istanbul features shriya saran — ab to ye film dekhni padegi (gulp!)
MG 5 June 2008
05:45:58 pm
this is good news, I am booked for tomm evening . I dont see it being a big hit though..probably 45-50 max, its not a subject that will appeal to the masses
SHETTY 5 June 2008
07:44:51 pm
” When Anita [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan], CEO of Sheppard Power Plant, an international company, brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra before the Nagres, insightful Shankar [Abhishek Bachchan] is quick to realize the benefits the power plant can bring to the people.
After convincing Sarkar [Amitabh Bachchan], who is against 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 gradually becomes a political minefield. The evil forces, mightier than ever, mushroom and gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and obliterate Shankar’s name from the political horizon.”
Exact words written in Sarkar Raj preview posted few weeks back.
http://nowrunning.com/Movie/Pr.....lang=HINDI
SK 5 June 2008
07:51:05 pm
Shetty the words are infact from the Sarakar raj website.
http://www.sarkarrajthefilm.com/
beld o beld 5 June 2008
09:50:04 pm
Q – here’s some more reason for you to gulp
http://specials.rediff.com/mov.....04sli1.htm
sandy 5 June 2008
10:36:15 pm
My friend just came back after seeing this. Her verdict – it’s a sure-shot hit. Pretty must on expected lines where I’m concerened. And yes, it has had a ‘grand’ opening, like what I mentioned in Jay’s col.
Kunal27 5 June 2008
11:04:42 pm
5 Jun 08, 22:50
TheSkeptic: Sandy ke muh me ghee-shakkar. If her friend is right, I will sacrifice some lemons and dolls and hire a (only one) crow to watch the proceedings.
rockstar 6 June 2008
12:49:11 pm
saw sarkar raj today , star off as an introduction to first part and then it turns into a gripping thriller in second half,
performancewise its the big b at the age of 66 once again shows his class his restraint and cold blooded attitude in climax makes him easily the scene stealer, abhishek has done well for his part aish is wasted most of the time
rockstar 6 June 2008
12:55:22 pm
though the movie is quite slow in first half but picks up in second half , its more a political thriller(ya its the more appropriate term to define it) on the backdrop of rajnati , performace of supporting cast is decent the guy who played the character which is similar to raj thackrey is the best of lot among the supporting cast
rockstar 6 June 2008
12:56:59 pm
“And yes, it has had a ‘grand’ opening, like what I mentioned in Jay’s col.”
its the same case in delhi with late evening /night shows
N I T E S H 6 June 2008
01:04:51 pm
rockstar…thanks for your 1st hand experience. Always love these.
I find your reaction as per expectation. This is what Sarkaar Raaj was always meant to be.
“performancewise its the big b at the age of 66 once again shows his class his restraint and cold blooded attitude in climax makes him easily the scene stealer, abhishek has done well for his part aish is wasted most of the time”
No wonder….he is a class apart. No one can play a role like this. I am wondering how did you find Abhi, who has been getting universal praise for this film?
Sad to hear your views on Aish….this will impact female audience % for Sarkaar Raaj. A strong Aish would have done wonders for SR.
rockstar 6 June 2008
01:10:38 pm
“No wonder….he is a class apart. No one can play a role like this. I am wondering how did you find Abhi, who has been getting universal praise for this film”
nitesh amitabh hardly had any screen time in first half its abhishek there and he does well good intensity and screen presence , performancewise these 2 are the best of the lot ,
with amitabh he is clearly awesome in climax
Rocky 6 June 2008
01:22:08 pm
Thanks Rockstar for the brief review.
jayshah 6 June 2008
05:32:50 pm
I have just comeback from Sarkar Raj. I agree completely with rockstar. Overall this is a fairly grippping movie, though slow especially in the first half. Film pretty much picks up just before the interval. I would say its definitely worth a watch and BigB puts in a super last 20mins. I think Abhishek is as expected really, this kind of role is probably his strongest, edgy character. But would say by the end, its Big B’s films and Aish has a significant character in proceedings, but the role itself offers little scope. Background score is thumping. RGV is back to some kind of form, but contrary to what maybe percieved as a top notch return I wouldn’t agree. This is pretty much similar level to predeccesor and would still rate Company and Satya as better works overall.
jayshah 6 June 2008
05:58:28 pm
ps expect a good UK number. Film has 13 shows in my local, 10pm show was 90% full (200 seater). I think UK should be £200K+. Cannot gauge audience reception since its fairly gritty, tense stuff throughout!
jayshah 6 June 2008
06:08:10 pm
There are some good performances from supporting cast but cannot remember names! Music was un-necessary, should have just stuck with Govinda Govinda background – in fact its overdone. RGV’s camerawork is top notch (that one’s for TS)
sujith 7 June 2008
01:28:07 am
Nice performances, snaky cam! and RGV shtyle scenes,Sayaji Shinde is awesome he made me forget Selvarmani, loved the last kill at the end
jayshah 7 June 2008
01:31:28 am
Yep sujith, snaky can is a good way to describe it. At times its like an obsession to get an awkward shot.
jayshah 7 June 2008
01:39:16 am
Victor Banerjee’s role could have been bigger IMO. The Rao character was good too. Is it Bala, the security guy…cannot remember his name, he is good. The best moment in the film was just pre-interval, the explosion sequence. Before that the movie was moving slow but that scene alone just set the second half upwell.
sujith 7 June 2008
01:56:26 am
Yeah,RGV always does a good job with the smaller character roles.
I dont know about RGVs fascination with teacups..it was there all over in the trailers, and shows up in the opening sequence.
One thing I would have wanted was a little more weight to some of the other kills.
jayshah 7 June 2008
04:15:20 am
“One thing I would have wanted was a little more weight to some of the other kills.”
Totally, in fact one of them were not even shown!