Film: Sarkar 3
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Amit Sadh, Yami Gautam, Ronit Roy and Manoj Bajpayee
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
What's it about:
Set nearly a decade after the Sarkar Raj, Subhash Nagre aka Sarkar (Amitabh Bachchan) is still a force to reckon with when it comes to the city of Mumbai and its politics. He is still surrounded by enemies in the form of a Kejriwal-like politician (Manoj Bajpayee) and a Dubai-based sleazy business magnate (Jackie Shroff), along with their cohorts. But there is pressing trouble in his own home when his grandson (Amit Sadh) returns to his fold and there is an internal power struggle between him and Nagre's faithful aide (Ronit Roy). More trouble ensues when there is an assassination attempt on Sarkar's life, and the suspicion falls on his hot-headed grandson.
What's hot:
Amitabh Bachchan again gives a powerful performance as the ageing king-maker, who knows the path he chose will keep on inviting more enemies for him. Though he is struggling with the Marathi dialect, you would forgive this flaw when he delivers acerbic dialogues like a boss, or in a couple of scenes, reveals his rare frail side. Manoj Bajpayee shines in a brief role, while Ronit Roy is dependable as always. However, the movie's saving grace is really the climax when Amitabh and Jackie Shroff face each other over a cup of tea and a loaded gun. Though the scenes that lead to the climax are convoluted, the twist works fine.
What's not:
This is the most disappointing follow-up to both Sarkar and Sarkar Raj. The writing in several scenes is absurd and clunky, and writers have never given any thought to Mumbai's current political scenario while penning down the political drama. Except the climax, not a single scene would remind you of the fact that this is directed by a man who made Satya and Company. The editing is shoddy, the cinematography is amateurish and the background score is a throbbing pain to ears. Amit Sadh tries hard, but he struggles to be a viable replacement to Abhishek Bachchan. Yami Gautam just stares hard. The worst crime Sarkar 3 commits is how the movie handles Jackie Shroff's character. It was embarrassing to see him cavort with a scantily clad girl and spout inane dialogues. Every time he appears on screen, it was a cue for people to laugh, and he happens to be the movie's main antagonist.
What to do:
Even if you are a diehard fan of Amitabh Bachchan, I would recommend you to give this movie a miss. Quite a disappointing way to end the much-loved franchise and Ram Gopal Varma can only blame himself for this.
Rating: ** (2 Stars)
