Sarkar (2005) Review by Stephen Bourne, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. http://www.geocities.com/iamstephenbourne/moviequips.html
Synopsis:
The warm and sunny breeze that swirled through that enclosed balcony suddenly chilled as Rasheed Bhai (Zakir) entered Subhash Nagre's (Amitabh Bachchan) palatial Bombay stronghold. Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan), Nagre's youngest son, was still en route from the States with his lovely associate Pooja (Katrina Kaif) at the time, but the consequences of that strained meeting would touch his life with as much malicious force as if he'd been standing beside his stoic, powerful father in person. Bhai was an underworld killer from Dubai, there to rightfully honour Subhash - known to this corrupt city's elite and peasantry as Sarkar, the Chief, the Lord, the Don - and to respectfully ask permission to import large quantities of illicit cargo for immediate distribution to an eager drug clientele. Sarkar listened as this dangerous man clad in black presented his destructive request. For decades, the elderly Nagre had taken care of the people when all formal channels through the elected government and the police department had smugly failed them. Their problems were his problems, and his problems were dealt with swiftly and efficiently by Sarkar's right hand man Chandra's (Ravi Kale) army of seasoned goons. Much to the chagrin of those in office, Subhash's iron rule over all criminal activity here has continued to secured his place as their unofficial patriarch. Bhai's eyes burned with rage when his offer was denied. This Sarkar was obvious living in the past, blind to the huge profits that drugs would surely bring to his cartel. Nagre's eldest son Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon) seems to be the only one in that family who isn't behind the times, producing movies and making a name for himself by using his power to corrupt and bully everyone in his path. The Nagre's must be pushed aside to make way for the new breed of crime. It seems impossible, until an important political martyr is killed, sparking street riots and panicked accusations, and Bhai and his shadowy boss seize the opportunity to crush their stubborn obstacle. However, Shankar remains loyal to his ailing father's principles as he becomes more embroiled against a plot to destroy everything through his avowed enemies' greedy machinations.
Review:
Wow. Openly inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's classic three-time Oscar-winner, 'The Godfather' (1972), this subtitled Hindi gangster flick from video rental store owner turned acclaimed East Indian director Ram Gopal Varma ('Satya' (1998), 'Bhoot' (2003)) is an immediately intense and visually rich production. It's also reportedly the last in the genre trilogy from Varma, and definitely isn't a stereotypical heel-clicking family friendly Masala. Cinematographer Amit Roy's astounding flare for dramatic visuals truly electrifies virtually every scene throughout 'Sarkar', easily making this hundred and twenty-four minute screening a deliciously grim treat from beginning to closing credits. Yes, there are a few similarities to Coppola's masterpiece - particularly in the characterisations of stoic patriarch Subhash Nagre (Amitabh Bachchan's; 'Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na' (2004), 'Black' (2005)) and his two adult sons, brutishly volatile eldest Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon; 'Paanch' (2003), 'Deewaar' (2004)) and soft spoken prodigal Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan; 'Dhoom' (2004), 'Bunty Aur Babli' (2005)). Although far less violent and, thankfully, fuggedaboutin' the usual tired old wise guy clichés, this intriguing drama that unravels a not-so intricate conspiracy to destroy the rather nobly archaic Nagre Family's longstanding and far reaching reign of power in contemporary Mumbai is a lot more artful in its presentation over-all. Manish Gupta's screenplay offers a paying audience fairly intelligent sub plots of betrayal, lost honour and unrequited love, all coming together nicely and deftly taking over where a less assured pen might lazily fill the screen with crazy guns ablazin' and bouts of pyrotechnic calamity. This main cast is astounding, with Bachchan's real life son Abhishek pulling in an incredible performance throughout as Shankar's Michael Corleone-like story arc slowly drags him from being an aspiring legitimate businessman deeper into this blunt underworld fuelled by mortal vengeance. Sure, Menon sustains an extremely gritty tinge of wild menace that beautifully compliments co-star Zakir's chilling scenes as murderously simmering antagonist Rasheed Bhai. Top marks also go to Ravi Kale, as emotionally charged Nagre right hand thug Chandar, as well as to Katrina Kaif and Tanisha Mukherjee (as Shankar's shy love interest Avanti) for their brief yet intriguing peripheral efforts. It's really younger Bachchan's role that makes 'Sarkar' an astounding piece of thoroughly enjoyable escapism. However, because of the curiously uneven and borderline amateurish editing by Nipun Gupta and Amit Parmar, you do need to be patient with this one at times and work a little at concentrating on the rich acting that's steadily bolstered by an astounding instrumental soundtrack from Amar Mohile. My only other minor quibble with this one is that senior Bachchan tends to sleep walk through his scenes, heavily relying on a slightly infuriating minimalist technique bordering on mime that doesn't quite do him justice. The most refreshing aspect of this picture is that it doesn't overdo the criminal brutality to the point of completely numbing you to - or glamourizing - its horrors. Definitely check out 'Sarkar' as a tremendously worthwhile show that clips along at an impressive pace and predominantly offers up a wealth of remarkably captivating Bollywood talent.
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