Sarkar (film)
Encyclopedia
Sarkar is a 2005 Indian dramatic
thriller film set in the world of politics and crime
, directed by Ram Gopal Varma
. It stars Amitabh Bachchan
in the title role alongside Abhishek Bachchan
, Kay Kay Menon
, Katrina Kaif
, Anupam Kher
, Supriya Pathak
and Tanisha Mukherjee
. The film is a homage to Coppola
's 1972 American film The Godfather
. The film's sequel, Sarkar Raj, was released on 6 June 2008.
), who is known by his followers as Sarkar, lives in Mumbai
. The opening scenes show a rape victim's father (Veerendra Saxena) approaching Sarkar for justice (which the corrupt law and order system has failed to deliver) which Sarkar promptly establishes by having the rapist beaten up by his henchmen. His son, Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon
), plays a foul-mouthed producer who is more interested in the film actress Sapna (Nisha Kothari) than his wife Amrita (Rukhsar). Sarkar's other, more upright son, Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan
), returns from the United States with his love Pooja (Katrina Kaif
) after completing his education there. Pooja's doubts about Sarkar's image cause Shankar, who firmly believes in his father's righteousness, to break up with her later in the movie.
One day, a Dubai
-based don, Rasheed (Zakir Hussain
) tries to strike a deal with Sarkar; he promptly refuses on moral grounds and also forbids him from doing it himself. Rasheed tries to eliminate Sarkar's supremacy with the help of Selvar Mani (Kota Srinivasa Rao
), Sarkar's former associate and Swami Virendra (Jeeva
). Meanwhile, they trap Sarkar by assassinating a righteous, upright, Ahimsa
political leader and an outspoken critic of Sarkar, Motilal Khurana (Anupam Kher
). Everyone, including Vishnu believe that Sarkar is guilty but Shankar has deep faith in his father. Sarkar gets arrested. Shankar now takes over the position of Sarkar temporarily. On learning of a plot to murder his father in prison, he approaches the police commissioner (Anant Jog) who mocks him and his father besides not providing protection. By the time he reaches the prison and appropriate action is taken, the attempt on Sarkar's life is already made. Sarkar is later acquitted. He remains bedridden as Shankar takes on Sarkar's enemies. Meanwhile, Selva Mani, Swami and Rasheed try to convince Vishnu to murder Sarkar. Vishnu was previously thrown out of Sarkar's house because he had murdered the actor who was having an affair with Sapna. Vishnu returns home pretending to have repented. When he approaches Sarkar in the dark of the night with the intent of murdering him, Shankar foils his plan and later kills him (establishing justice by the way of his father). Shankar eliminates Rasheed and Selva Mani. He also succeeds in making Swami his puppet. Shankar has also realized that Chief Minister Madan Rathore (Deepak Shirke) also has a part in the attempt to end Sarkar and his rule. This results in legal action against the Chief Minister. The closing scenes show people approaching Shankar for justice and his father apparently retired.
and introduced a political angle to it. The actors, particularly the trio of Amitabh Bachchan
, Abhishek Bachchan
and Kay Kay Menon
, were lavished with praise for their controlled yet intense performances.
Abhishek Bachchan
in particular, was rewarded for his portrayal as a son who is inexperienced but enters an unknown world so as to save his father. He won the following awards:
However, some critics felt that the movie lacked the depth and subtlety of the plot, dialogue and characterization present in The Godfather
. Also, with the political angle in the film, some people feel that it is semi-biographical in that it is based on the life of Hindu politician Bal Thackeray
.
.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
thriller film set in the world of politics and crime
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
, directed by Ram Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma
Ram Gopal Varma is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer...
. It stars Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
in the title role alongside Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
, Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
, Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and former model who appears in Indian films, mainly in the Hindi-language film industry. She has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. She was voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by Eastern Eye in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011...
, Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher is an Indian actor who has appeared in nearly 400 films and 100 plays. Though mainly appearing in Bollywood films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well...
, Supriya Pathak
Supriya Pathak
Supriya Pathak Kapur is an Indian actress hailing from a long line of performers. She is famous for her role in the Indian sitcoms Khichdi and Idhar Udhar.-Family:...
and Tanisha Mukherjee
Tanisha Mukherjee
Tanisha , also known as Tanisha, is a Hindi, Telugu and Tamil actress.-Family background:Tanisha is an Indian actress of Bengali–Marathi descent. Tanisha comes from a prominent industry family, which has been working in Bollywood since the 1940s...
. The film is a homage to Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
's 1972 American film The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
. The film's sequel, Sarkar Raj, was released on 6 June 2008.
Plot
Subhash Nagre (Amitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
), who is known by his followers as Sarkar, lives in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. The opening scenes show a rape victim's father (Veerendra Saxena) approaching Sarkar for justice (which the corrupt law and order system has failed to deliver) which Sarkar promptly establishes by having the rapist beaten up by his henchmen. His son, Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
), plays a foul-mouthed producer who is more interested in the film actress Sapna (Nisha Kothari) than his wife Amrita (Rukhsar). Sarkar's other, more upright son, Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
), returns from the United States with his love Pooja (Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and former model who appears in Indian films, mainly in the Hindi-language film industry. She has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. She was voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by Eastern Eye in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011...
) after completing his education there. Pooja's doubts about Sarkar's image cause Shankar, who firmly believes in his father's righteousness, to break up with her later in the movie.
One day, a Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
-based don, Rasheed (Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (actor)
Zakir Hussain is an Indian film and television character actor who is known for his negative and comic roles. His best known performances include those of Rashid in Ramgopal Varma's 2005 film Sarkar, and Shardul in Sriram Raghavan's 2007 film Johnny Gaddaar.-Life and career:Zakir Hussain was born...
) tries to strike a deal with Sarkar; he promptly refuses on moral grounds and also forbids him from doing it himself. Rasheed tries to eliminate Sarkar's supremacy with the help of Selvar Mani (Kota Srinivasa Rao
Kota Srinivasa Rao
Kota Srinivasa Rao is a versatile Indian film actor in Telugu Cinema. He is known for his negative roles, character roles and comedy timing. He also served as an MLA from Vijayawada East assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh, India from 1999-2004.He was a theater artist with Rangasthalam for...
), Sarkar's former associate and Swami Virendra (Jeeva
Jeeva (Telugu actor)
Jeeva is an Indian film actor from Andhra Pradesh who is known for his bit parts in Hindi and Telugu cinema. He has been working in films since 1984 and is well known for his negative roles in various Ram Gopal Varma films, particularly Satya , Ab Tak Chhappan and Sarkar .-Telugu:#Bendu Apparao...
). Meanwhile, they trap Sarkar by assassinating a righteous, upright, Ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa is a term meaning to do no harm . The word is derived from the Sanskrit root hims – to strike; himsa is injury or harm, a-himsa is the opposite of this, i.e. non harming or nonviolence. It is an important tenet of the Indian religions...
political leader and an outspoken critic of Sarkar, Motilal Khurana (Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher is an Indian actor who has appeared in nearly 400 films and 100 plays. Though mainly appearing in Bollywood films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well...
). Everyone, including Vishnu believe that Sarkar is guilty but Shankar has deep faith in his father. Sarkar gets arrested. Shankar now takes over the position of Sarkar temporarily. On learning of a plot to murder his father in prison, he approaches the police commissioner (Anant Jog) who mocks him and his father besides not providing protection. By the time he reaches the prison and appropriate action is taken, the attempt on Sarkar's life is already made. Sarkar is later acquitted. He remains bedridden as Shankar takes on Sarkar's enemies. Meanwhile, Selva Mani, Swami and Rasheed try to convince Vishnu to murder Sarkar. Vishnu was previously thrown out of Sarkar's house because he had murdered the actor who was having an affair with Sapna. Vishnu returns home pretending to have repented. When he approaches Sarkar in the dark of the night with the intent of murdering him, Shankar foils his plan and later kills him (establishing justice by the way of his father). Shankar eliminates Rasheed and Selva Mani. He also succeeds in making Swami his puppet. Shankar has also realized that Chief Minister Madan Rathore (Deepak Shirke) also has a part in the attempt to end Sarkar and his rule. This results in legal action against the Chief Minister. The closing scenes show people approaching Shankar for justice and his father apparently retired.
Cast
- Amitabh BachchanAmitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
as Subhash Nagre (Sarkar) - Abhishek BachchanAbhishek BachchanAbhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
as Shankar Nagre - Kay Kay MenonKay Kay MenonKay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
as Vishnu Nagre - Supriya PathakSupriya PathakSupriya Pathak Kapur is an Indian actress hailing from a long line of performers. She is famous for her role in the Indian sitcoms Khichdi and Idhar Udhar.-Family:...
as Pushpa Nagre - Katrina KaifKatrina KaifKatrina Kaif is a British Indian actress and former model who appears in Indian films, mainly in the Hindi-language film industry. She has also appeared in Telugu and Malayalam films. She was voted the sexiest Asian woman in the world by Eastern Eye in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011...
as Pooja - Tanisha MukherjeeTanisha MukherjeeTanisha , also known as Tanisha, is a Hindi, Telugu and Tamil actress.-Family background:Tanisha is an Indian actress of Bengali–Marathi descent. Tanisha comes from a prominent industry family, which has been working in Bollywood since the 1940s...
as Avantika - Rukhsar as Amrita (Vishnu's wife)
- Anupam KherAnupam KherAnupam Kher is an Indian actor who has appeared in nearly 400 films and 100 plays. Though mainly appearing in Bollywood films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well...
as Motilal Khurana - Ishrat Ali as Khansaab
- Raju Mavani as Vishram Bhagat
- Zakir Hussain as Rashid
- Kota Srinivasa RaoKota Srinivasa RaoKota Srinivasa Rao is a versatile Indian film actor in Telugu Cinema. He is known for his negative roles, character roles and comedy timing. He also served as an MLA from Vijayawada East assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh, India from 1999-2004.He was a theater artist with Rangasthalam for...
as Selvar Mani - Ravi Kale as Chander
- Virendra SaxenaVirendra SaxenaVirendra Saxena is an Indian theater, film and television actor. He is an alumnus of the National School of Drama. Saxena is known for his character roles as well as his unique voice. He has acted in films such as Shool, Dhoop, Aks as well as many television serials...
as Girl's Father - Anant Jog as Police Commissioner
- Deepak Shirke as Madan Rathod
- Carran Kapoor as a Hero in Vishnu's film
- Priyanka KothariPriyanka KothariPriyanka Kothari , often credited as Nisha Kothari, is an Indian actress who has appeared in Bollywood, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films.-Early life:...
as a Heroine in Vishnu's film - Jeeva as Virendra Swami
- Mangal Kenkre as Shoba
- Saurabh Dubey as Pooja's Father
- Dinesh LambaDinesh LambaDinesh Lamba is an Indian film actor mainly acting in Bollywood. He is primarily seen in supporting roles and has appeared in over 20 Hindi and Tamil films and several television commercials....
- Rushad Rana
- Anil Yadav
Commercial and critical reception
Sarkar was an above average success at the box office and was greeted very well by critics. Critics liked the way the movie indigenised The GodfatherThe Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
and introduced a political angle to it. The actors, particularly the trio of Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
, Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
and Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon
Kay Kay Menon is an Indian actor.-Early life:Menon was raised in Ambarnath and Pune, Maharashtra. His early life was in "H" type Rangehills, Khadki which were factory quarters for those working in the ammunition and high explosives factories. His father was popularly known as "Cashier Menon"...
, were lavished with praise for their controlled yet intense performances.
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
in particular, was rewarded for his portrayal as a son who is inexperienced but enters an unknown world so as to save his father. He won the following awards:
- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardFilmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
- Zee Cine Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Male
- IIFA Award for Best Supporting ActorIIFA Best Supporting Actor AwardThe IIFA Best Supporting Actor is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the ceremony. Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal and Abhishek Bachchan are leading with 2 wins.The winners are listed below:-- See also :* IIFA Awards* Bollywood...
However, some critics felt that the movie lacked the depth and subtlety of the plot, dialogue and characterization present in The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
. Also, with the political angle in the film, some people feel that it is semi-biographical in that it is based on the life of Hindu politician Bal Thackeray
Bal Thackeray
Bal Keshav Thackeray , popularly known as Balasaheb Thackeray, is an Indian politician, founder and chief of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist, and Marathi ethnocentric party active mainly in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.Born in Pune, Thackeray began his professional career...
.
Soundtrack
The music of the film is composed by Bapi and Tutul. Lyrics are penned by Sandeep NathSandeep Nath
Sandeep Nath is an Indian writer and film lyricist in Bollywood. He started his literary career as a poet at the age of eighteen. He has completed more than two books as namely “Mujhko Kuch Bhi Naam Doh” , “Darpan Ab Bhi Andha Hai”...
.