Sarkar Raj Movie Review
By Nabeel Mohideen
Director Ram Gopal Varma returns to familiar ground after his disastrous remake of “Sholay” with “Sarkar Raj,” the second installment in the trials and tribulations of the Nagre family.
“Sarkar,” the first chapter in the saga, was about the charismatic Subhash Nagre presiding over Mumbai’s fortunes, a role that came easily to Amitabh Bachchan. “Sarkar,” a synonym for overlord as well as the government, was also about the son, Shankar, coming of age and taking over from the father.
Varma’s new film is about a foreign company wanting to set up a power plant in Maharashtra, the western Indian state of which Mumbai is the capital. Shankar, a role reprised by real- life son Abhishek Bachchan, is convinced the project stands for progress and is essential for the state’s economy.
Ranged against him are the farmers whose land will be needed for the plant and a group of shadowy, corrupt fixers. Anita Rajan (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), whose company wants to set up the plant, rounds off the main cast.
Varma redeploys the atmospherics of “Sarkar” — the looming close-ups, the doom-laden score and the near monochromatic frames. However, it’s all undone by a weak script and loose plotting. The film is based on the story of the plant built by the collapsed Enron Corp. in Maharashtra and the recent conflict that arose over a federal government decision to allow factories to be built on farm land.
While the treatment isn’t helped by the cliched and stilted dialogue, the script seems to have undergone some chopping and changing, with an overlong coda that extends into a third act.
Abhishek Bachchan doesn’t have the heft or star power needed to pull off the central character role. An unsmiling, unshaven visage just doesn’t cut it. His real-life wife Aishwarya, completely out of her depth, founders so pathetically it’s painful to watch. Amitabh Bachchan as usual is very ordinary.
Rating: *
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Comment by Ashwin on 23 June 2008:
You are an idiot and have no idea what makes a good movie. This is obvious when you say uneducated things like Amitabh Bachchan as usual is ordinary. Maybe the script flew over your head because you have difficulty following a movie that is not exactly how you expect it to go. Congratulations on proving that you have no credentials to review movies.
Comment by Mustafa on 24 June 2008:
Ashwin!
Truth really hurts. That Sarkar Raj has Flopped and is at par with Boom, Aag and Nishabd. So say with me Chak De! SRK for delievering one great movie after another.
Comment by Rizwan on 24 June 2008:
You are not an idiot and have full idea what makes a bad movie. This is obvious when you say educated things like Amitabh Bachchan as usual is ordinary. Yes the script was very weak and you had full difficulty in following a movie. Congratulations on proving that you have credentials to review a movie. Well Done.
Comment by Sinny on 24 June 2008:
We don’t want any more review of the movie. Its already bombed at BO. Its not as good as its prequel. Its a boring movie rather.
Comment by Rajeev on 24 June 2008:
Sinny,
Then how on earth the Bacchan is promoting it and calling it a HIT.
Has bacchan forgot to take responsibilty for failures.
FYI in a recent interview ,SRK has taken responsibility for the failure of Panchvi Pass.
Who is a better role model???
Comment by vijay on 24 June 2008:
SARKARRAJ IS DECLARED HIT SO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT YOU SLOBBBY CLOWNS
Comment by vijay on 24 June 2008:
AMITABH IS FAR BETTER ACTOR THAN ANY OTHER ACTORS AROUND,BRING ON SARKAR 3 AND GOOD LUCK TO RGV AND BE EVEN SUPER HIT THAN SARKARRAJ.20CR PROFIT IS MAGICAL
Comment by Mustafa on 24 June 2008:
Congrats Vijay Sarkar Raj has Flopped and it is curtains for Abhishek Bachchan.
Comment by vijay on 24 June 2008:
MUSTAFA SARKARRAJ IS HIT AB FLOP KA JANDA NIKALDO NAI TO TUM KHUD FLOP HOJAOGE,AB GHAR JAKE SOJA,SHABASH BETA AB BAAT SAMAJ ME AYE.
Comment by vijay on 24 June 2008:
JAI FINAL VERDICT ON SARKARRAJ -HIT.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
Congrats Vijay Sarkar Raj has Flopped and it is curtains for Abhishek Bachchan.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
go to http://www.boxofficeindia.com
http://www.indiafm.com
they r saying that the movie is a pure flop
and biggest flop of buchans career
lolz
Comment by vijay on 24 June 2008:
VIJAY SAYS SARKARRAJ KA RAJ HAI.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
arun,
Then how on earth the Bacchan is promoting it and calling it a HIT.
Has bacchan forgot to take responsibilty for failures.
FYI in a recent interview ,SRK has taken responsibility for the failure of Panchvi Pass.
Who is a better role model???
Comment by vijay on 24 June 2008:
AMITABH IS CALLING THE FILM HIT BECAUSE THE FILM IS HIT,THE FILM IS NOT ONLY HIT IN INDIA BUT ALSO OVERSEAS.AMITABH CANNOT CALL THE FILM FLOP IF ITS HIT GOT IT.
Comment by Mustafa on 24 June 2008:
But Trade has declared it Flop. Only RGV and Amitabh is calling it Hit.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
We don’t want any more review of the movie. Its already bombed at BO. Its not as good as its prequel. Its a boring movie rather
Comment by Mustafa on 24 June 2008:
Main people are distributors and they are calling it Flop.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
Congrats Vijay Sarkar Raj has Flopped and it is curtains for Abhishek Bachchan
Comment by Mustafa on 24 June 2008:
Vijay I can not find Hit anywhere can you find it for me.
Mumbai- Distribuor Raksha Enterprise
Price- 6.50 crore Expected Share 7 crore AVERAGE
Delhi,UP,East Punjab and Mysore- Distributor PVR Pictures
Price-7.30 crore Expected Share 5.75 crore FLOP
West Bengal- Distrubutor Kapurchand PVT LTD
Price-1.10 crore Expected Share 80 lakhs FLOP
Bihar- Distributor Maa Sona Films
Price-50 lakhs Expeted Share 30 lakhs FLOP
CP Berar-Distributor Rajshri
Price-90 lakhs Expected Share 55 lakhs FLOP
CI and Rajasthan-Distributor Sahara One
Price-1.60 crore Expected Share 90 lakhs FLOP
Nizam-Distributor Indra Films
Price-1.25 crore Expected Share 1.10 crore FLOP
Tamil Nadu Kerala-Distributor Harward Entertainment
Price-40 lakhs Expected Share 30 lakhs FLOP
Orrisa-Distributor Jaitara Communications
Price -10 lakhs Expected Share 5 lakhs FLOP
Share is return for distributor
Final Verdict: Flop in India & Overseas.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
You are not an idiot and have full idea what makes a bad movie. This is obvious when you say educated things like Amitabh Bachchan as usual is ordinary. Yes the script was very weak and you had full difficulty in following a movie. Congratulations on proving that you have credentials to review a movie. Well Done.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
What a Performances this is called a Great Actor + Real Super Star. Way to go:-
BAAZIGAR
“The biggest strength of the movie is Shah Rukh Khan’s superlative performance. It really raises the bar of the movie. BAAZIGAR also witnesses the rising of a new star in the form of Shah Rukh Khan who has the power to carry a film solely on his shoulders.”
KABHI HAAN KABHI NAA
“Shah Rukh Khan gives a wonderful performance; his sense of comedic timing is perfect in each scene. Most of the film, barring the romance scenes, requires him to be comedic and his talent is evident there.”
DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE
“Shah Rukh Khan does a wonderful job, in both his dancing and his acting.”
RAM JAANE
“Shah Rukh Khan performance as Ram Jaane is just amazing, he looked like a thug, he talked like a gangster, he acted like a criminal, and no one could have played this character better.”
YES BOSS
“Shah Rukh Khan has played his character excellent. He has displayed all of his talents in a nutshell as Rahul. Serious, Sad and Angry as well as Humorous and Excited are played with delicacy and enthusiasm by Shah Rukh Khan. Only his role in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has come close to this movie.”
PARDES
“Shah Rukh Khan has given a flawless performance. His acting as Arjun is subtle yet very powerful.”
DIL TO PAGAL HAI
“Shah Rukh Khan dominates the movie. His role as Rahul is played valiantly and may be deserving of an award.”
DUPLICATE
“Shah Rukh Khan has played both characters so distinctly that the audience has no difficulty differentiating between the two.”
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
“Shah Rukh Khan is almost perfect in his role as Rahul and balances both the archie-ish college kid and later, the widower looking out for his daughter at a even pitch. He makes people laugh, cry through his emotions. It is one of his most accessible and charming performances in recent times.Undoubtedly the best performance of the year.”
BAADSHAH
“Shah Rukh Khan has done terrific job. It’s difficult to imagine anyone else carrying off the role with such conviction.”
JOSH
“Shah Rukh Khan excels as Max. He looks the character and performs it with utmost sincerity. This is undoubtedly one of the best performances of his career.”
ASOKA
“Shah Rukh Khan essays his part with enthusiasm. It won’t be wrong to state that this is amongst his finest performances.”
DEVDAS
“Shah Rukh Khan is mindblowing as Devdas. He plays his character with such finesse and aplomb that it is sheer delight to watch him. He evokes the right kind of emotions in the viewers’ hearts, never once going overboard. He looks splendid and mesmerises the audience with his acting in many scenes. As a man madly in love, he proves that there could have been no better choice than him for the role.”
CHALTE CHALTE
“CHALTE CHALTE clearly belongs to Shah Rukh Khan, an actor par excellence. One actually runs out of adjectives and personifications if asked to describe this performance by the actor. Clearly his most natural and likeable performance since DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE, Shah Rukh Khan surrenders himself completely to the script and delivers a performance that is bound to be a big hit with one and all.”
MAIN HOON NAA
“MAIN HOON NAA reinforces your confidence in Shah Rukh Khan, the actor, the star. Portraying a mass-appealing character, the actor gives his best shot and delivers yet another power-packed performance. The role not only does full justice to his status as the country’s super-star, but also as a performer. Besides, the two stunts in the film [his introduction and towards the finale] will silence his hardcore critics who felt that the actor was more comfortable handling the DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE, KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI and KAL HO NAA HO kind of roles.”
VEER - ZAARA
“VEER-ZAARA is another feather in Shah Rukh Khan’s well decorated cap. The actor enacts the challenging role with amazing ease, putting his best foot forward and emerging trumps. It would indeed be difficult to imagine any other actor essaying the two diverse parts. Simply unforgettable!”
SWADES
“Shah Rukh Khan is extremely likeable. He stands firm on his feet in dramatic sequences, confirming yet again that he’s not merely a super-star, but a super actor as well.”
PAHELI
“If you ever had an iota of doubt about Shah Rukh Khan’s versatility, it would evaporate the moment you watch PAHELI. This is amongst Shah Rukh Khan’s most accomplished performances ever. He is fabulous as the ghost and equally convincing as the bewildered husband.”
DON - THE CHASE BEGINS AGAIN
“Shah Rukh Khan’s performance in the film is expectedly outstanding. It is one of the most stylish performance of his entire career. As Don he is ruthless and cunning and as Vijay his dialogue delivery and comic timing are worth applauding. Hats off to him for playing the Don and Vijay effortlessly. It would not be wrong to say that Don could not be Don without Shah Rukh Khan.”
CHAK DE! INDIA
“Shah Rukh Khan is the soul of CHAK DE! INDIA. What you see on screen would be half of what it is without this matchless actor. He makes you feel what you are supposed to feel. A performance that’s sure to go down as one of his finest works so far.”
Om Shanti Om
“Shah Rukh Khan has given a superlative performance and once again shows why he is called Baadshah of bollywood. He is par excellence and entertains the audience from the word go. He does a superb job in his double role and carries the whole film on his shoulders. He is soul of the film and you can see him doing the things in a very natural and confident way. His portrayal of eccentricity as a super star is just fabulous.”
And the Great Performances continues by the Legend of Indian Cinema King Khan
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
With this another Amitabh Movie bit the dust. Bhootnath was saved by Shah Rukh Khan special apperance, while in Sarkar Raj there was no big star it flopped.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
With Sarkar Raj Failure Abhishek Career has come to an end as well
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
More Confirmation that Sarkar Raj has Flopped by Rediff.
Sarkar Raj
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai.
Director: Ram Gopal Varma.
Thumbs Up: The film has some good moments.
Thumbs Down: Too many close-ups, the film falls flat.
Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Flop.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
Arun,
I dont know,what makes you think that BIG B represents FILM Industry.Not only its laughable but also its foolish.
I mean even a fool would stop shouting after the battering the movie SR has received.
Comment by jai on 24 June 2008:
Arun where it is Hit. Find for me.
Sarkar Raj BO details
Mumbai- Distribuor Raksha Enterprise
Price- 6.50 crore Expected Share 7 crore AVERAGE
Delhi,UP,East Punjab and Mysore- Distributor PVR Pictures
Price-7.30 crore Expected Share 5.75 crore FLOP
West Bengal- Distrubutor Kapurchand PVT LTD
Price-1.10 crore Expected Share 80 lakhs FLOP
Bihar- Distributor Maa Sona Films
Price-50 lakhs Expeted Share 30 lakhs FLOP
CP Berar-Distributor Rajshri
Price-90 lakhs Expected Share 55 lakhs FLOP
CI and Rajasthan-Distributor Sahara One
Price-1.60 crore Expected Share 90 lakhs FLOP
Nizam-Distributor Indra Films
Price-1.25 crore Expected Share 1.10 crore FLOP
Tamil Nadu Kerala-Distributor Harward Entertainment
Price-40 lakhs Expected Share 30 lakhs FLOP
Orrisa-Distributor Jaitara Communications
Price -10 lakhs Expected Share 5 lakhs FLOP
Share is return for distributor
Final Verdict: Flop in India & Overseas.
Comment by vijay on 25 June 2008:
MUSTAFA AND JAI MESSAGE FOR YOU,SARKARRAJ IS HIT AND IS CONFIRMED BY TV MEDIAS.YOU KEEP LOOKING AT SHABBYS SITE WHICH ARE AGAINST BACHANS ANYWAY.GO TO IBOS FOR PROOF.
Comment by vijay on 25 June 2008:
amitabhs best. ZANZEER.SHOLAY.ASLI DON.MUQADDAR KA SIKANDER.TRISUL.MR NATWARLAL.DOSTANA.NASEEB.COOLIE.MARD.BAGBAAN.KHOON PASINA AND MANY MORE WHICH SHARUKH KHAN FILMS CANT EVEN COME CLOSER.AND DONT FORGET A HIT FILM RECENTLY SARKARRAJ…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Comment by rajeev on 25 June 2008:
Vijay,
Common man,its not a hit for sure.Yeah its not a clear flop too.
But it needs another 12 cr from its third week onwards collection to cover costs.
I mean i can undersdtand ,you like Amitabh very much and there is nothing wrong in it.
But its very clear that it has not done the biz expected out of the three bacchans together.
When there is a hit,generally there is no debate.Since there is a debate about the status ,it proves that its not a success.
Comment by vijay on 25 June 2008:
rajeev,i can see some sence on what u saying,some people are just making it out that its a flop.sarkarraj recovered its money in three days plus its had it third weekend collection very good so the film is definately hit.its all srk fans saying it is a flop because they are jealous.
Comment by Mustafa on 25 June 2008:
But Vijay I cann’t find Hit anywhere. Can you find it for me. I will give you Boom DVD for free.
Sarkar Raj BO details
Mumbai- Distribuor Raksha Enterprise
Price- 6.50 crore Expected Share 7 crore AVERAGE
Delhi,UP,East Punjab and Mysore- Distributor PVR Pictures
Price-7.30 crore Expected Share 5.75 crore FLOP
West Bengal- Distrubutor Kapurchand PVT LTD
Price-1.10 crore Expected Share 80 lakhs FLOP
Bihar- Distributor Maa Sona Films
Price-50 lakhs Expeted Share 30 lakhs FLOP
CP Berar-Distributor Rajshri
Price-90 lakhs Expected Share 55 lakhs FLOP
CI and Rajasthan-Distributor Sahara One
Price-1.60 crore Expected Share 90 lakhs FLOP
Nizam-Distributor Indra Films
Price-1.25 crore Expected Share 1.10 crore FLOP
Tamil Nadu Kerala-Distributor Harward Entertainment
Price-40 lakhs Expected Share 30 lakhs FLOP
Orrisa-Distributor Jaitara Communications
Price -10 lakhs Expected Share 5 lakhs FLOP
Share is return for distributor
Final Verdict: Flop in India & Overseas.
Comment by jai on 25 June 2008:
as if some one dont belive,go to the theater owner or distributor share person ask them how film is doing they will say it is a big flop
Comment by vijay on 25 June 2008:
GO TO IBOS AS SIMPLE AS THAT
Comment by Mustafa on 25 June 2008:
That is a Fan Website. Go to No.1 Box Office Web Site BOI.
Comment by vijay on 25 June 2008:
THATS SRK FAN WEBSITE NO THANKS
Comment by Mustafa on 25 June 2008:
What about Komal Nahta No. 1 Trade Journal has also declared it Flop. As well as No.3 Trade Anlysit Vinod Mirani has also declared it Flop.
Comment by Mustafa on 25 June 2008:
Only Ibos is calling it Success and every one is calling it Flop.
Comment by Mustafa on 25 June 2008:
Vijay!
I am not fool like you that Flop film I will say Hit and Hit Film as Flop. You do these things. Clear picture is near you and you are not accepting it.
No.1 Trade Journal Film Information has Declared it Flop.
No.2 Trade Jornal Trade Guide has Declared it Flop.
No.3 Trade Jornal Vinod Mirani has Declared it Flop.
No.1 Box Office Website has Declared it Flop.
Only Ibos is calling it Success and every one is calling it Flop.
I will follow the Top 4 not Bachchan Website IBOS.