Sarkar Raj - Notepad » meetu’s notepad

6th June 2008

Sarkar Raj - Notepad

posted in Hindi Movies, Movie Notes, meetu |

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Quick Review

A treat for Bachchan fans and an intense story for the non-believers. If you are mentally prepared for that noise the background music creates and the camera being held in the weirdest possible positions and angles, you can actually enjoy the drama despite all its flaws.

Rating: Wait for video release (Rating Scale)

See full review

Plot Summary

Sarkar (Amitabh Bachchan), the local, self-appointed caretaker of the masses, is not ready to retire. And his son (Abhishek Bachchan) is ready to take over his responsibilities. Though their ideologies differ, they have a strong bond. Together they want to see a power plant built for the development of their state.

What worked

Interestingly, Abhishek Bachchan was welcomed with more and louder whistles than Amitabh Bacchan or Aishwarya Rai. Aishwarya in fact received the coldest treatment from the audience.
It was interesting how Sarkar’s birthday was given an Ambedkar Jayanti (birthday) feel.
Shankar sipping tea being used as a motif across movies.
The way Sarkar is shown being influenced and dominated by his son. Adds to the power the son exudes despite having minimal lines.

What didn’t

Note: This section simply lists the things that I did not like in this movie. This is not the overall impression about this movie. Please read the full review here

Thousands of crores profit in the first year - really!? For a plant that they don’t even have the land for!?
I can understand a top-bottom camera angle for Sarkar, Shankar, and even the villains. But, for Avantika (Shankar’s wife)? That’s what makes me feel that these camera decisions are random and without specific purpose.
The way “BAD MAN” is written all over the villain’s characters. Their demeanor, their makeup, reminded me of the one episode that I watched of a saas-bahu Ekta Kapoor soap, where the vamp is given a specific vicious grin.
What is it that convinces Sarkar that the power project is actually good?
What exactly was Shankar’s problem with Chandar?
How could Shankar be so lax about his own security?!
The scenes of father-son bonding felt extremely cold and weird. There was so much potential for warmth and affection.

Nitty-Gritty

This section lists things that I think are not important to the overall impact of the movie. In most cases, it could be explained away by something like, “we noticed the glitch after the scene was shot and there were schedule/budget issues and thus we could not re-shoot it”. I like giving the makers the benefit of doubt, but I am amused nevertheless. Hopefully, they will tickle you too.

Geez, why have them say the token “marathi” lines if they can’t get the diction right!?
How come Sarkar’s wife doesn’t visit Rao saaheb?
How come Sarkar’s wife is serving tea and snacks to the guests when there are so many servants around. I understand it is possible, but it is also very unlikely.

Back to main review

This entry was posted on Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm and is filed under Hindi Movies, Movie Notes, meetu. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On June 11th, 2008, Niranjan said:

Hi,I am not satisfied with ur review.I like the movie very much. I think you like the movies like full songs
& dances. Some logics r never be come out. I can also raise the points like how background music wil come
while talking. Dont see that type lagics(Means related to that).

posted on June 11th, 2008 at 10:48 pm

2 On June 15th, 2008, Deepak said:

You reviews are similar to those of the dumb-ass guy who comes on NDTV goodtimes…
which means u r also a dumb-ass…u go and watch SRK telling kkkkk..kiran…

posted on June 15th, 2008 at 9:32 am

3 On June 15th, 2008, Shayari said:

Good effort in giving a detailed review Thank you Meetu. Must say that I was impressed with the movie, esp after the AAG & Darling last yr.:-)

Kudos to RGV for putting together a strong sequel.Not to forget the contribution of the Bachchans.

posted on June 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

4 On June 16th, 2008, Fatez said:

Awesome site

Watched it last night, was forced to, actually But it was okay. Took me a few minutes to adjust to the scene just befor ethe interval. I was like, “OMG!!!!!”.

LOL. Overall it was theek-thaak, if you like those political/sopari movies.

posted on June 16th, 2008 at 2:54 am

5 On June 16th, 2008, meetu said:

@ brenton, niranjan, deepak - ok.

@ Shayari, Fatez - Thanks!!

posted on June 16th, 2008 at 7:08 am

6 On June 20th, 2008, chandra said:

this review is misleading… I guess u r one of those naach gaana and matka jatka movies liking gay… (ex. banti our babli, tashan…etc..etc)…
this movie is not for you and like minded.
it’s an awesome movie with great plot… one has to be involved in the movie to understand how the story evolves… I mean from the scene one… ‘when the Abhi’s security is cought… to three ministers talking to Abhi about their interference in the govt. etc.. and the plot that develops behind.. and till the climax… it’s just a movie made to perfection…. but after all, mind it, it’s a movie.

posted on June 20th, 2008 at 2:20 am

7 On June 21st, 2008, Prajay said:

I watched the movie just a couple of hours ago.Your analysis is good but it only prevents you from enjoying the movie.It is a good movie and RGV fans(i am one) will definitely like it.There are quite a few scenes that striked a chord within me and all the petty issues/inconsistencies etc can be ignored.There are few thing about this movie which I loved -
1.There is a character that has no dialogues at all(the man who kills the sniper)
2.Only the sniper’s hand is shown..even when he is killed.
3.The chemistry between bachchan sr and jr is great.
4.Background music and the silence between two consecutive dialogue deliveries when most of the talking happens through eyes(creadit to both actors n director).Only RGV can get the best out of actors.

One piece of advice from me friends, we can pnly discuss about the story and flaws in logic here.But a movie is much more than that and unless you go and watch it you wont understand how it is.

I conclude, by saying that, if you liked Sarkar then you will love Sarkar Raj.

posted on June 21st, 2008 at 4:11 pm

8 On September 23rd, 2008, silvano dsouza said:

im bored of RGV films
the same repetitive angles, background music.everything
even casts and their performances in his films

posted on September 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm