Sarkar Raj
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Sarkar Raj
| image = Sarkar Raj Poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Ram Gopal Varma
| writer = Prashant Pandey
| screenplay =Ram Gopal Varma
| producer = Ram Gopal Varma
Praveen Nischol
| starring = Amitabh Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Dilip Prabhavalkar
Supriya Pathak
| cinematography = Amit Roy
| editing = Nipun Ashok Gupta
Amit Parmar
| music = Score:
Amar Mohile
Songs:
Bapi-Tutul
| studio = Adlabs
Raksha Entertainment
K Sera Sera Productions
Z Picture Company
| distributor = Balaji Motion Pictures (India)
Eros International (International)
| released = {{Film date|2008|6|6|df=y}}
| runtime = 125 minutes
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INR}} 280 million
}}
Sarkar Raj ({{translation|Government rule}}) is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language political crime thriller film directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film is a sequel to the 2005 film Sarkar and the second installment of the Sarkar film series. The film premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival,{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2008/05/23/bollywood_news_sarkar_cannes_feature.shtml|title=BBC – Shropshire – Entertainment – Sarkar Raj unveiled at Cannes|access-date=9 October 2014|archive-date=3 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203071813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2008/05/23/bollywood_news_sarkar_cannes_feature.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-bollywood-biggies-bet-big-on-cannes-1164120|title=Bollywood biggies bet big on Cannes|work=Daily News and Analysis|access-date=9 October 2014|archive-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015084426/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-bollywood-biggies-bet-big-on-cannes-1164120|url-status=live}} the New York Asian Film Festival,{{cite web|author=David|title=The Films of Ram Gopal Varma – An Overview|publisher=Cinema Strikes Back|date=16 June 2006|url=http://www.cinemastrikesback.com/?p=1202|access-date=22 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725153007/http://www.cinemastrikesback.com/?p=1202|archive-date=25 July 2009}} and the 9th IIFA World Premiere-Bangkok.{{cite web|url=http://www.desiblitz.com/content/bangkok-for-2008-iifa-awards|title=Bangkok for 2008 IIFA Awards|work=DESIblitz|date=31 May 2008|access-date=22 August 2015|archive-date=11 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411035608/https://www.desiblitz.com/content/bangkok-for-2008-iifa-awards|url-status=live}}
The film was archived at the Academy of Motion Pictures library.{{cite news |title=Sarkar Raj makes it to the Academy of Motion Pictures library |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/2008-30-screens-in-u-k/ |work=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=9 August 2011 |date=2 August 2008 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708082632/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2008/10/23/12089/index.html |url-status=live }} The primary cast features Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan (who reprise their roles from the original) and new entrant Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Supriya Pathak, Tanishaa, and Ravi Kale also reappeared in their respective roles from Sarkar. The film was released on 6 June 2008 and was critically and commercially successful.{{cite news|title=Sarkar Raj : Box Office India|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/boxoffice/12651/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118092513/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/boxoffice/12651/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 January 2008|work=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=9 August 2011}}{{cite web|title=Apne dhandhe ki jaat hi aisi hai:RGV|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/apne-dhandhe-ki-jaat-hi-aisi-hai-rgv-news-bollywood-kkftuScabgc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021025503/http://www.sify.com/movies/apne-dhandhe-ki-jaat-hi-aisi-hai-rgv-news-bollywood-kkftuScabgc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2012 |website=Sify |access-date=9 August 2011|author=IndiaFM|date=18 July 2008}} The continuation and third installment Sarkar 3, was released on 12 May 2017 to positive reviews.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/sarkar-3/movie-review/58629107.cms|title=Sarkar 3 Review {3/5}: Abhishek Bachchan is in top form, mesmerizing you with his grey shades and grey irises|website=The Times of India}}
A promotional mobile video game based on the film was released by Mauj Mobile in 2008.{{Cite web |last=Hasan |first=Sheeba |date=31 May 2008 |title='Sarkar Raj' power play |url=https://www.masala.com/bollywood-news/sarkar-raj-power-play-3447 |website=Masala |access-date=26 September 2023 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926220440/https://www.masala.com/bollywood-news/sarkar-raj-power-play-3447 |url-status=live }}
Plot
The sequel is chronologically set two years after the original film.
Anita Rajan (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), is the CEO of Shepard Power Plant based in London, holds a meeting with Mike Rajan (Victor Banerjee), her chairman father, and Hassan Qazi (Govind Namdeo), as a seemingly shady business adviser and facilitator; regarding an ambitious proposal to set up a multibillion-dollar power plant in rural parts of the state of Maharashtra in India.
Qazi states that this project will be impossible due to possible political entanglements. When Anita asks him for a solution, Qazi states that enlisting the support of Subhash Nagre (Amitabh Bachchan) (commonly referred to by his title of Sarkar), who he describes as a criminal in the garb of a popular and influential political leader, might help their cause. Along with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shinde (Shishir Sharma), they approach Sarkar with the idea of this project, who refutes the idea, due to the fact that the power plant will be built in various villages, affecting the livelihood of 40,000 people. However, when Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan) convinces him of the benefits of the project to the state, Sarkar agrees to the proposal. Shankar advises Anita to stay away from Qazi, as he is not trustworthy. Qazi joins hands with Kaanga (Sayaji Shinde), who wants to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra but could not as Sarkar is the overlord for Shinde's political party. Shankar and Anita begin campaigning in Thackerwadi to gain support of local public for the project. During their chat Shankar mentions that his toughest decision of life was to kill his own elder brother Vishnu, Anita tells that her father never saw her as a daughter and was her boss.
Sanjay Somji (Rajesh Shringarpure), leader of farmer's association is shown to be protesting the Nagre's. Meanwhile, Avanti, now Shankar's wife reveals to him that she is two months pregnant, Shankar also has growing friction in relationship with old family aid Chander (Ravi Kale). On the other hand, Shankar's wife Avanti's car is bombed within the premises of Sarkar's villa, and Avanti is killed, Sarkar who is shaken suffers a shock and is admitted to a hospital. Shankar replaces Bala (Sumit Nijhawan) as head over Chander (Ravi Kale), and asks him to quickly find out who was behind this brutal attack. Kantilal Vohra (Upendra Limaye) come to Sarkar requesting him to shift the project to Gujarat. As Sarkar refuses, Vohra, Kaanga, Qazi, are shown together hatching a plan. Chander calls up Shankar telling Qazi was behind the blast, Shankar shoots Qazi in his house. Mike comes to India and is seen to be meeting Vohra discussing about eliminating Shankar as, they both want only profit and Shankar aims for development for 40,000 villagers living in Thackerwadi also.
Vohra and Kaanga now hire a hit-man to kill Shankar for 5-Crore. While, Shankar and Anita are on a holiday, Anita cautions Shankar about an impending attack on them, a sniper shoots at Shankar six bullets, who later succumbs to his injuries in hospital. A furious Subash suspecting Vohra kidnaps him.
Sarkar tells Anita that his men have killed-Kaanga, Chander, Vohra and her father who was in London as revenge. He also tells her that these people were just pawns and the mastermind behind all this was his own guru, Rao Sahab (Dilip Prabhawalkar) who wanted his grandson Somji to take over Shankar. His guru comes to home to pay tributes to Shankar, where Sarkar shows him his dead grandson. The film ends with Anita becoming Shankar's replacement.
Cast
{{colbegin}}
- Amitabh Bachchan as Subhash Nagre
- Abhishek Bachchan as Shankar Nagre
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Anita Rajan
- Tanishaa as Avantika, Shankar's wife
- Govind Namdeo as Hassan Qazi
- Victor Banerjee as Mike Rajan, Anita's father
- Supriya Pathak as Pushpa Nagre
- Sayaji Shinde as Karunesh Kaanga
- Dilip Prabhavalkar as Rao Saab
- Sumeet Nijhawan as Bala
- Kay Kay Menon as Vishnu Nagare (Cameo from the original film Sarkar)
- Upendra Limaye as Kantilal Vohra
- Rajesh Shringarpure as Sanjay Somji
- Shishir Sharma as Sunil Shinde
- Ravi Kale as Chander
- Javed Ansari as The Hitman
{{colend}}
Reception
= Critical reception =
The film mostly garnered a positive critical reception. Critic Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama gave the film four stars out of five and noted "Besides its strong content, Sarkar Raj has been filmed exceptionally well 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. Abhishek Bachchan is cast opposite the finest actor of this country, yet he sparkles in every sequence. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is fabulous and delivers her career-best performance."{{cite news |last=Adarsh |first=Taran |title=Sarkar Raj : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/12651/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118093637/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/12651/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 January 2008|work=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=9 August 2011|date=5 June 2008}} Sify gave a two-star rating and said, "The only reason you might want to catch this is the performance level and the relatively good ending. Amitabh Bachchan is dependably good. Abhishek holds his own, though with a more filled-out character, he could have taken it to another level. Aishwarya is superb in the emotional scenes, but again, is let down by the unforgivably simplistic character sketching."{{cite web|last=Chopra|first=Sonia|title=Movie Review : Sarkar Raj (Review)|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sarkar-raj-review-review-bollywood-14688419.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217005157/http://www.sify.com/movies/sarkar-raj-review-review-bollywood-14688419.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2015|website=Sify|access-date=9 August 2011}} Rediff which also gave a two-star rating noted "This is a watchable".{{cite web|last=Sen|first=Raja|title=Sarkaricature Raj|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/06sarkarr.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=9 August 2011|date=6 June 2008|archive-date=31 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031140220/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jun/06sarkarr.htm|url-status=live}}
The Economic Times gave a three star rating out of five and said "Sarkar Raj clearly gains major marks for its clever culmination, which was so much lacking from recent RGV products. The considerately and crisply penned dialogues by Prashant Pandey add a lot of insight to the scenes and depth to the characterizations."{{cite news|last=Malani|first=Gaurav|title=Sarkar Raj: Movie Review|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-06-06/news/28488082_1_ram-gopal-varma-abhishek-bachchan-ramu|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707112559/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-06-06/news/28488082_1_ram-gopal-varma-abhishek-bachchan-ramu|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=9 August 2011|date=6 June 2008}} Anupama Chopra from NDTV stated "What works here are the performances. The Bachchans-all three of them are in fine form. Despite wonderful performances and nicely done dramatic moments, Sarkar Raj doesn't pack the visceral punch of Sarkar".{{cite web|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|title=Movie Review: Sarkar Raj|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_review.aspx?lang=hindi&id=312&moviename=+Sarkar+Raj|publisher=NDTVMovies.com|access-date=9 August 2011|date=6 June 2008|archive-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922140720/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_review.aspx?lang=hindi&id=312&moviename=+Sarkar+Raj|url-status=live}}
Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India rated the film with three and a half stars and applauded the lead performances saying "This film carries the sequel forward without losing out on the gritty feel and retains the charisma of the central characters".{{cite news|last=Kazmi|first=Nikhat|title=Sarkar Raj|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Sarkar-Raj/movie-review/3107474.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=9 August 2011|date=6 June 2008|archive-date=5 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105155716/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Sarkar-Raj/movie-review/3107474.cms|url-status=live}} Critic Nathan Southern of MSN gave four stars citing that "Sarkar Raj thrives on its narrative cliffhangers, that the film never once fails to engage the audience; the premise and its characters are rock-solid, its dialogue convincing, and its suspense palpable. Varma and scriptwriter Prashant Pandey pack such unusual twists and double-crosses into the tale that even the most hardened and seasoned moviegoer will find the conclusion impossible to foresee".{{cite web|last=Southern|first=Nathan|title=Sarkar Raj : Critics' Reviews|url=http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-critic-reviews/sarkar-raj/|publisher=MSN Movies|access-date=9 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923122813/http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-critic-reviews/sarkar-raj/|archive-date=23 September 2012|url-status=dead}}
= Box office reception =
Sarkar Raj grossed almost {{INR}} 340 million in India{{cite web|title=All India 2008 (Figures in INR Crore)|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=218&catName=MjAwOA==|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118030823/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=218&catName=MjAwOA==|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 January 2008|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=9 August 2011}} and over $1 million in the USA. The Filmfare Magazine (August 2008 issue) and other media declared it to be among the only four hits in the first half of 2008 (along with Race, Jodhaa Akbar and Jannat).
The producers reported that the movie had earned more than the entire grossings of its hit prequel in its first two weeks itself. According to the year end report of The Free Trade Journal, Sarkar Raj was the seventh highest all-India grosser of the year after (in order) Ghajini, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Golmaal Returns, Singh Is Kinng, Dostana and Race. The trade magazine also reported high international collections. It was declared an average grosser at the box office with noted film journal Film Information mentioning that although the film was a profitable venture for its producers, the distributors outside of Bombay circuit stood to lose.
Soundtrack
{{Infobox album
| name = Sarkar Raj
| type = soundtrack
| artist =
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 15 June 2008
| recorded = 2007
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Feature film soundtrack
| length =
| language = Hindi
| label = T-Series
| producer =
}}
The music is composed by Bapi and Tutul. Lyrics are penned by Sandeep Nath and Prashant Pandey.
= Track listing =
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Chaah Bhanwar Trishna
| extra1 = Sunayana Sarkar Dasgupta
| lyrics1 = Sandeep Nath
| length1 = 3:30
| title2 = Jalte Rawan
| extra2 = Abhishek Nailwal
| lyrics2 = Prashant Pandey
| length2 = 3:02
| title3 = Jalwa Re Jalwa
| extra3 = Kailash Kher, Sunayana Sarkar Dasgupta
| lyrics3 = Prashant Pandey
| length3 = 4:37
| title4 = Jhini Jhini
| extra4 = Roop Kumar Rathod, Shweta Pandit
| lyrics4 = Prashant Pandey
| length4 = 4:04
| title5 = Saam Daam
| extra5 = Kailash Kher
| lyrics5 = Sandeep Nath
| length5 = 3:29
| title6 = Saher Saher Ke Hajharon Sawal
| extra6 = Arun Ingle, Bapi, Tutul
| lyrics6 = Sandeep Nath
| length6 = 2:49
| title7 = Subah
| extra7 = Pamela Jain
| lyrics7 = Prashant Pandey
| length7 = 3:43
| title8 = The Govinda – Chant
| extra8 = Kailash Kher, Bapi, Tutul
| lyrics8 = Sandeep Nath
| length8 = 2:59
| title9 = The Govinda – Groove
| extra9 = Bapi, Tutul, Jankee Parikh
| lyrics9 = Sandeep Nath
| length9 = 3:03
| title10 = The Govinda – Theme
| extra10 = Bapi, Tutul
| lyrics10 = Prashant Pandey
| length10 = 3:34
| title11 = The Govinda – Trance
| extra11 = Bapi, Tutul, Jankee Parikh
| lyrics11 = Sandeep Nath
| length11 = 3:25
| title12 = The Jalwa – Club Mix
| extra12 = Kailash Kher, Sunayana Sarkar Dasgupta
| lyrics12 = Sandeep Nath
| length12 = 4:47
}}
Accolades
Controversy
Debutante Rajesh Shringarpore's character of Sanjay Somji was also reportedly based on Raj Thackeray, the estranged nephew of political leader Bal Thackeray; thus furthering the general viewpoint that the series is based on Bal Thackeray and his family. Apparently Ram Gopal Verma had even shown Raj Thackeray rushes of the film to allay his fears of being wrongly portrayed.{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=30&contentid=20080509200805090206278538342fe46|work=Mumbai Mirror|last=Shah|first=Kunal|title=Why Raj wants to see Sarkar...|date=9 May 2008|access-date=5 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024183614/http://mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article|archive-date=24 October 2007}}
Sequel
In 2009 Ram Gopal Verma stated that he had no plans finalised for the third instalment in the series and shelved Sarkar 3.{{cite news|last=Iyer|first=Meena|title=Sarkar 3 shelved!|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Sarkar-3-shelved/iplarticleshow/4801701.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=9 August 2011|date=21 July 2009|archive-date=6 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106024404/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Sarkar-3-shelved/iplarticleshow/4801701.cms|url-status=live}} However, in 2012 it was reported that the sequel would go ahead once again and currently is in the pre production stage where the script is being written. The film is expected to go on floors at the end of 2013, primarily with the same cast of Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan although his character dies at the end of this film and also Aishwarya Rai is to be left out.{{cite news|title=Amitabh, Abhishek to star in Sarkar 3|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-26/news-interviews/31399630|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707040953/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-26/news-interviews/31399630|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2012|date=26 April 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2 May 2012}}{{cite news|title='Sarkar 3' on cards, sans Aishwarya: Ram Gopal Varma|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sarkar-3-on-cards-sans-aishwarya-rgv/252284-8-66.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428062724/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sarkar-3-on-cards-sans-aishwarya-rgv/252284-8-66.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 April 2012|publisher=IBN Live|date=26 April 2012|access-date=2 May 2012}}
In August, 2016 director Ram Gopal Varma confirmed Sarkar 3.{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/20875542/Ram-Gopal-Varma-announces-Sarkar-3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823173414/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/20875542/Ram-Gopal-Varma-announces-Sarkar-3|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 August 2016|title=Ram Gopal Varma announces Sarkar 3|work=bollywoodhungama.com|date=22 August 2016|access-date=24 August 2016}} He told on his Twitter that Abhishek and Aishwarya will not be a part of the third installment.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ram-Gopal-Varma-on-Sarkar-3-Reports-on-rest-of-cast-apart-from-Amitji-are-wrong/articleshow/53823525.cms|title=Ram Gopal Varma on 'Sarkar 3': Reports on rest of cast, apart from Amitji, are wrong|work=The Times of India|agency=ANI|date=23 August 2016|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827135757/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Ram-Gopal-Varma-on-Sarkar-3-Reports-on-rest-of-cast-apart-from-Amitji-are-wrong/articleshow/53823525.cms|url-status=live}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://sarkarraj.erosentertainment.com/}}
- {{IMDb title|0490210}}
{{Ram Gopal Varma}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Indian gangster films
Category:Indian crime thriller films
Category:Indian crime drama films
Category:Indian political thriller films
Category:2008 crime drama films
Category:2000s political thriller films
Category:2000s Hindi-language films
Category:2008 crime thriller films
Category:Films about dysfunctional families
Category:Films about organised crime in India
Category:Films directed by Ram Gopal Varma
Category:Balaji Motion Pictures films
Category:Films adapted for other media