Rajeev Masand Reviews SARKAR RAJ
Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj is a gabfest. There’s really no other way to describe this film — it’s all talk and very little action. And excessive talk seldom makes for exciting viewing.
SLOPPY SEQUEL: Sarkar Raj doesn’t have the dramatic tone of the first film or an engaging premise.
Intended no doubt to be an intense political drama, Sarkar Raj is sadly not a patch on Varma’s original film Sarkar, of which this one is nothing but a watered down sequel. The Nagres, when they were first introduced to us in the 2005 film, were an uber-powerful family whose patriarch Subhash Nagre (or Sarkar as we came to know him) was a mafioso with a righteous streak. Pilfered from the plot of Coppola’s Godfather, Varma’s previous film ended with Sarkar’s younger son Shankar following in the footsteps of his father. A US-educated lad who reluctantly embraces his destiny and joins in the family business so to speak.
It was a dramatic film, remarkably enacted by both Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, and one that left a lasting impression. Sarkar Raj doesn’t have either the dramatic tone of the first film, nor a premise that’s particularly engaging.
Despite his reservations, Subhash Nagre gives his beta a nod of approval when Shankar convinces him that a power plant project in rural Maharashtra will benefit the state and its people. Teaming up with an NRI corporate head, Shankar takes to the villages to gather support from the masses. Unfortunately for the Nagres, things don’t go quite as smoothly as they’d hoped. Too many parties have too many interests and as a result, this project becomes something of a political minefield.
To be entirely fair, Sarkar Raj is not a bad film, it’s just not good. There’s little in the plot that’s original or imaginative, and it doesn’t help that Varma lazily shoots his sequel exactly the same way as he did the first film, complete with lighting tricks and booming theme music. The problem here is Varma’s characters. Amitabh Bachchan plays Sarkar as a sort of preachy grandfather who’s dripping words of wisdom everytime he thinks Shankar may be taking a wrong step. You might remember, much of the reason why Sarkar appealed to us so much in the first film was because he was a man of a few words. A man whose silences said so much. In this film, you long for him to be silent — if only for a few moments. Abhishek Bachchan, meanwhile, as Shankar Nagre, bears a pained expression throughout the film and does little else. As the corporate head who proposes the power plant to Shankar, Aishwarya Rai is restrained and stays within character for the most part.
The biggest blow comes in the form of the film’s drudging pace. It’s only two hours and a few minutes in running time, but it felt like the longest two hours of my life. A film so punishingly slow I think I felt my nails grow sitting in that seat.
So that’s two out of five and at best an average rating for Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj, it’s a disappointing follow up to a very good film. Now we can only hope Part Three will be better. Because all evidence indicates that Sarkar will return.
Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)
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Comment by Nishit on 6 June 2008:
Rajeev masand ur d biggest ass hole in dis entire world. U think dat u know to much but actaully ur a dodo. Nobody gives ashit abt wat u write…so keeping doing blah blah blah blah…
Comment by Sanjay on 6 June 2008:
Nishit,
Rajeev Masand is right or wrong would be known by Monday.
But at this moment SR has opened to a 50 % opening.Its good conpared to Bacchans previous records of 20-30%.
Pray that all the hype doesnt end in a doom.If this flops ,then the Bacchans would be left with licking their own and each others asses.
Comment by L N Kulkarni on 6 June 2008:
You useless fool Rajeev Masand
Actually I had great respect for your style of review and I really identified with your views.
But for Sarkar Raj, I am sorry to say you have LOST IT!
I think you have some issue with the dear Bacchans, Maybe you were salivating for an interview with the fabulous Bachans at Cannes and they did not have the time.
We all think (there are 7 of us writing this review, who saw it yesterday 1st day,) that you have just taken it on them because of some spite.
Otherwise, read the responss of viewers at so many review sites. Everyone was liking the film as they were walking out. Its a fabulous film.
People, please ignore this ignoramous called Masand. I have yet to meet anyone whe were not shocked with the ending. (pleasantly).
Please, Rajeev you weere one of the best reviewers on the Indian film critic scene and with such fine language.
WHY HAVE U SUDDENLY LOST IT ??
Is it the beginning of the end for you ?
Comment by Lipa on 6 June 2008:
Hi Rajiv,
i always believe that a critics should have independent view. But when i analyze your last few reviews i found that you are no independent any more.
When you gave verdict on OM shanti om its 3/5. which don’t deserve even 2 star.i remember you said that its sense of humor,sensitive. but i don’t find anything humorous about OM Shanti om . These kind of humour even we found in TV Serial. So why we should watch the movie?bcaz of sharukhs 6abs or what u recommended for the movie to with 3 star. Its a faltu and over hyped movie. which don’t deserve to be success at box office.
So wake up Rajiv?
N yes don’t be biased.
u know peoples watch your show honestly so please maintain the same way with them.
Comment by manoj on 7 June 2008:
“To be entirely fair, Sarkar Raj is not a bad film, it’s just not good.”
exactly….
” In this film, you long for him to be silent — if only for a few moments. ”
of course,his hoarse voice irritates.
“Abhishek Bachchan, meanwhile, as Shankar Nagre, bears a pained expression throughout the film and does little else.”
what else can one expect from him….?
” Aishwarya Rai is restrained and stays within character for the most part.”
she has been getting good reviews in all recent films.
as i said,we shud always wait for masands review coz he generally gives honest reviews.
Comment by sam on 7 June 2008:
today reports
box office india report
Sarkar Raj opened to a poor response with the all India average being around 45-50%. Mumbai was better at around 60-65% but the rest of the country was poor at 40-45%. The reports are fair so it could pick up especially in Mumbai and South. Overall the film may earn in Mumbai, South and possibly Bengal but will struggle in East Punjab, Bihar, Rajasthan and CI.
Comment by rajeev on 7 June 2008:
Manoj,
Even after SR opening to a mearege 40 % opening,these f..rs (Bacchan fans) still thinks they are stars.
Arent they living in a world of denial???
Comment by rajeev on 7 June 2008:
Manoj,
Dont you think the bacchan fans sd hide their face after their so called “”Star of the Millenium”"” along with their “”"great actor”" son Abhiskek and “”Original Diva”" Aishwarya put togther have given a opening of 40%.
Dont you think the “”"first family of Bollywood”"” and their “”"Intelligent”" fans suck their own d…. after this hallabolloo????
Comment by manoj on 7 June 2008:
rajeev,
bachchans have absolutely no hard-core fan -following as such
Comment by rajeev on 7 June 2008:
Manoj,
Still the Bacchan fans belive that he is the greatest star in the world.
Shame….all bacchans ….40% opening.
belive they should have added jaya bacchan too in the movie to get additional opening of 5 %.
Comment by rajeev on 7 June 2008:
manoj,
“”"bachchans have absolutely no hard-core fan -following as such”"”
The only Hardcore followers left for them are the members of the naach gaana .com
For them even AAG is a big hit.
Comment by Maryam on 7 June 2008:
Lipa
The review is of SR but why are you giving your verdict on OSO???? OMG this amount of jealousy is not good…that movie released in november 2007 and became the biggest grosser ever…so now its june 2008 and the ewview is about SR. Rajeev gave OSO 3/5 which i think is unfair OSO deserves 5/5 because of its entertainment value…
Comment by Rajat on 8 June 2008:
Gosh! Masand, man, go watch the film again! I think u shud review ur own reviewing, the film rox! A must watch!!!!!! Highly recommended!!
Comment by Shamir on 8 June 2008:
So so boring.
Comment by Shamir on 8 June 2008:
But the acting was good except aishwarya’s.
Comment by Shamir on 8 June 2008:
She definitely needs to discover some new expressions. She is delivering her same old bullshit performances everytime. Apart from good looks she has nothing else.
Comment by Kapil Malik on 8 June 2008:
Hi Rajiv,
It’s a pleasure to read your reviews … but seriously, has it been any personal grudge against Ramu or do you think that Bachchans should always deliver as in Janjeer,Sarkar and HDDCS and anything less is down to 2? …
Sarkar Raj, while indeed lacking the signature Ramu glamour as observed in Satya n Company, being a sheer dependency on GodFather wherever the ‘drama’ is concerned and culminating to a less-thoughtful tale at the end (I believe all Nagre fans would agree that the climax could have been different - to our pleasure), still has its fair share of good points..
To begin with, the Bachchans’ silent expressions are laudable- while we all loved the first of its kind in Sarkar, this time, we expect more of that and get it with full sincerity by ABs(all 3)…
The cinematography and background score are effective, albeit similar to first part (shades of black and humming of Govindaa..), but yet, much required here as well, and RGV doesn’t disappoint either …
The movie is intelligent and also quite charming for sm1 who hasnt seen Pacino trilogy, it’s enjoyable and also fulfilling in terms of stuff (unlike ‘Aamir’ - which appeared to be a 10 min doc. stretched to 90 for the sake of being a piece on minorities - a subject known to catch media attention since past few yrs just coz it has the ‘m’ word)…
Rajiv, it seemed that you gave 2/5 to Sarkar Raj while keeping Sarkar as the yard-stick - for compared to the previous, indeed it has less to offer in novelty and thrill… but what about the likes of OSO / Welcome / OneTwoThree … useless love songs and cliche lines and sleaze comedy and blah …..
C’mon you are being too harsh on RGV and Bachchans .. aren’t you ?
Comment by Kapil Malik on 8 June 2008:
Oops, regrets, replace Rajiv with Rajeev!
Comment by Maryam on 8 June 2008:
Arun/Nishit…you will be glade to hear this news…
King of contests: SRK show tops TRP charts
9 Jun 2008, 0114 hrs IST,Himanshi Dhawan,TNN for TOI
NEW DELHI: So has television finally laid rest to the question - who is the biggest star? In a clash between Bollywood biggies, Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan and ShahRukh Khan, it is SRK whose game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain? that appears to be doing better, according to snap polls done by aMap in six metros.
the overnight audience measurement agency, aMap, has suggested that while Roshan attracted an average television rating of 0.82% for his music-based contest Junoon - Kuch Kar Dikhane Ka , Salman’s Das Ka Dum (DKD) could only garner a TRP of 1.65%.
Both were launched on June 6 after much hype and promotion. DKD promises an astounding cash prize of Rs 10 crore besides getting to watch Salman dance to his favourite numbers on the set.
Junoon , on the other hand, is a music show for which Roshan is a “goodwill ambassador”. However, SRK is not nicknamed King Khan for nothing.
His show Kya Aap… - that was launched on April 25 - got off to a better start. The quiz show enjoyed a TRP of 2.7 on the first day.
The show that evaluates the participant’s knowledge on information that a fifth class student knows, has dipped in popularity since its launch. Industry experts have blamed the low ratings to the IPL season that consumed public interest earning TRPs of 7 or 8.
Even in its peak rating, the Indian version of Are you Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? has beaten both Salman Khan and Roshan with a peak rating of 3.5%. DKD had a peak rating of 2.6 while Junoon barely managed a rating of 1.1.
Incidentally, Kaun Banega Crorepati 3 - another show hosted by SRK last year - did better than the three that are currently running. While its average rating was 3.4%, it had a peak rating of 4.9%.
Comment by Kunal on 8 June 2008:
I thought Rajeev’s reviews are always honest. He might not echo your thoughts but is absolutely honest about his own opinions.
I totally agree with Rajeev that the movie was darn slow, extremely loud with background music, exceedingly confusing due to to puzzling dialogues, blinding with nonsense lightning, and some sorry story.
But I personally enjoyed the second half of the movie and acting by Amitabh Bachchan was top notch to actually save the movie all by himself. Abhishek also did alright with whatever little opportunity given to him, but on a whole it was not as good as Sarkar and the last scene was most ridiculous I could ever imagine even in an RGV movie.
Comment by jtippu on 8 June 2008:
a very stupid review, these guys have some problems with bachchans or RGV, they are’nt honest reviewers. the movie is mindblowing and is highly recommended. abhishek has given one of his career’s best performances. aish is fabulous, she delivered after a long time. amitabh is superb, his expressions could not have been better. RGV is back with a bang.
i still cannot believe abhishek died, kudos to RGV for this daring step. it was surely a very shocking and unbelievable turn in the story. the climax really rocked. superb! cannot wait for the sequel.
Comment by Kunal on 8 June 2008:
^^^^^
now if a person doesn’t agree with you then he is being dishonest????
thats one skewed logic
Comment by sam on 8 June 2008:
THIS REVIEW IS VERY GUD REVIEW BY MASAND
I APPRECIATE HIM
AND I HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE THE WHOLE REVIEW FULLFILL MY EXPECTATION
THE MOVIE IS VERY BAD DIRECTED NO STORY NO DIALOGUES NOTHING POOR MOVIE
Comment by meshal on 8 June 2008:
i didnt like this movie sarkar raj
sarkar 1 was gud but sarkar2 not even up to the avg level
Comment by anno on 8 June 2008:
this movie sarkar raj really sucks sucks in the history of bollywood
but was better than ramu ki agg
he he
Comment by jtippu on 9 June 2008:
same people posting with different names. do you really think we cannot guess this? poor loosers. the movie is excellent. this is the verdict soon masses will also give as critics (not the so called biased critic like the above) have already given. even thousands of your fake messages like the above would not change the truth.
Comment by Rajeev on 9 June 2008:
Rajeev Masand is one of the most honmest critics i have ever seen.
Comment by Kanika on 16 June 2008:
Rajeev,
Tahnks for the 2/5I saw the movie in Londo nand remembered too late that you had given it a 2 , having also chosen the movie over Sex and the city.
But the two by five made me see the movie with no expectations.So it was great. The acting was ok except for Aishwarya who has done a great job,. the story is fine as well though we could have done with a bit more of Kill Bill from Aish.
What gave me a headache and was irritating was the fact that I felt that I was looking at the movie sitting atop RGV’s zoom lens.the view through Abhisheks hand hair and up AB’s nose and a close up of Aishwarya’s pancake as quite bothersome not to mention the unappropriate “govinda” in the background. That not only deserved a 2 they should have also given out some asprin.
Rajeev dont be so hard on the actors or the story but please you have my vote in on telling RGV to step back .
Comment by Vips on 22 June 2008:
The movie was fine , another bollywood melodrama. Ramu just tried to make the movie , on a top notch spirit , and tried some over expressions onto it.
He tried to direct the movie in a hollywood manner…. but sorry he failed as everytime! No doubt , he took a very bold step.. its somewhat like NO SMOKING!!
Comment by Vivek on 24 June 2008:
This Masand guy is alwaz the weird reviewer, n how can he do this to good movies by his stupid reviews which effects the movie a lot, n i pitty the guys who accept his reviews n miss movies just becoz of this mad guy.
I think he should be thrown out of the reviews, he has crossed his limits, earlier taran adarsh was doing the same but now he is bit matured guy.
i hope we all agree to Masand’s Spam reviews
Comment by maverik on 27 June 2008:
nishit - shut up . ur sense of movies is obvious by the fact u liked SR . only a guy with a brain the size of his nuts can like this painstakingly slow(inspite of being only 2 hrs), presumptuous ( all that under the table, dwn the ceiling camerawork cant hide a drab plot) , verbose ( perhaps the bachhans are now a political party) no-gud flick . i wish they had got their power plant so that at least they cud get some power in their house as ramu cudnt even afford electricity on his sets !the only gud thing in the movie was when they shot junior B , at least 1 less bachhan to tolerate!