RATING: * * *
Star cast:
Subash Nagre: Amitabh Bachchan
Shanker Nagre: Abhishek Bachchan
Anita Rajan: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Sanjay Somji: Rajesh Shringarpore


Finally, all the speculation about the shift in powerplay from the prequel Sarkar to the sequel Sarkar Raj can be laid to rest.

Amitabh Bachchan continues to remain the Marlon Brando of the Indian Avtaar of the Godfather. In other words, the so called disconnected sequel yet again establishes the omnipotence of Bachchan senior and re-iterates that old he may be, but this superstar of Indian cinema can still carry the load of a powerful movie such as Sarkar Raj on his shoulders, all alone.

The last three years since Sarkar first hit theatres have seen Shanker Nagre (Abhishek Bachchan) grow in stature and power to an almost iconic status as his father. Subhash  Nagre on the other hand is shown in a more reposed mood who now follows his son’s acumen and ability in which he has infallible faith.

The movie revolves around the setting up of a power project in Maharashtra and this is where Aishwarya Rai steps into the frame. While the movie continues to breathe of macabre politics, manipulations and assassinations that were an essential part of Sarkar, the muscle and might of the prequel are somewhere completely missing.

There is a sense of myopia with regard to the power project that becomes the issue of focus here. While Bachchan junior justifies his character completely with his somber, serious and tough expressions accompanied with brevity in dialogues, what does get challenged eventually are his sagacity and foresight. The spark of brilliance that Bachchan junior established in Sarkar, is almost non-existent in Sarkar Raj.

Somji who has been touted as the character based on Raj Thackery and his political life, justifies the co-relation only through the violence he incites against the Nagre family and in the way in which he calls Maharashtra his Matra Bhoomi  that he intends to protect from any invasion. His acerbic speeches and mass support do reflect a Raj Thackery modus operandi of sorts but in a half baked manner.

The constant miscalculations made by Shanker Nagre and his inability to gauge the dangers surrounding him and his family, somewhere put the Nagre family in an aam aadmi spot making them appear to be rather powerless as compared to the first part. This is where the real disconnect lies in the two parts. RGV seems to have gone awry with the character sketches he created in the first part portrays them almost antithetically in the second. 

The Nagres are expected to know it all and guess it all. But Abhishek Bachchan seems to have gone wrong with his judgements in the sequel. There is an element of unpredictability and surprise in the movie which also becomes a turning point in it.  

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s character could have definitely been more powerful.

As far as Abhishek Bachchan is concerned, it is his character that disappoints and not his character portrayal. He plays his role with great competence.

Amitabh Bachchan as always delivers a remarkable performance and re-establishes himself as the undisputed king of Indian cinema.  

Powerful dialogues and great chemistry between the Bachchan father and son duo create many high points in the movie. Some great performances by Govind Namdeo and Sayaji Shinde. New comer Rajesh Shringarpore who plays Sanjay Somji is also extremely promising.

The first half of the movie is slow but the second part is filled with action and fulfills the expectations that the first half may initially thwart. Worth a single watch!!


Also Read:
Bachchans not put together deliberately in 'Sarkar Raj': Aishwarya Rai