Sarkar Raj

Sarkar Raj, directed by Ram Gopal Varma, is a power-packed drama released in 2008. Second in Varma's Sarkar series, preceded by Sarkar (2005) and followed by Sarkar 3 (2017), this movie functions as a political crime thriller. The film has an ensemble cast led by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, charismatic Abhishek Bachchan, and the versatile Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

The film brings back Amitabh Bachchan as Subhash Nagre famously referred to as ‘Sarkar’, a righteous man who affected by the desperate conditions of the society decides to forgo the path of law and uses his influence and power for the betterment of the society. He helms an unofficial system parallel to the official administrative and governance system of the state. He commands respect from the masses which can be seen in the phrase 'Sarkar Raj', meaning the reign of Sarkar.

Abhishek Bachchan plays the character of Shankar, Sarkar's adult son who apes his father's footsteps and becomes his right arm. The father-son relationship is a dynamic tableau of the discipleship and rivalry enclosed within a familial bond. Both characters are caught in a vortex of power struggle, political interests, loyalty, and the quest for social justice.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's role as Anita showcases her as a poised, intelligent, and shrewd businesswoman who has a significant purpose to accomplish. She is instrumental in proposing an ambitious power plant project to be setup in rural Maharashtra which could result in enhanced power supply. But this plan confronts numerous hurdles that range from minor mishaps to major conspiracies - resistance from rural populace who consider the project a threat to their livelihood, manipulative politicians who envision the project as a tool to tighten their grip over the state, and various other corruption issues seeping in at various levels of power.

The movie largely revolves around how the organized, parallel administration of Sarkar takes up the challenge to streamline the power plant project. The film is not just about the generation of electricity, but it gives a deeper insight into power play in a political scenario. Corruption and nepotism weave the conflicts in the plot, offering an intriguing portrayal of politics, business and crime. The narrative expands to highlight the complexities and dynamics of the political arena and the brutal game of power.

Sarkar Raj beautifully explores the themes of moral ambiguity, manipulative politics, societal resistance, and power play. It's compelling to watch Sarkar, a man with not just physical prowess but also wisdom and leadership attributes working along with his son against the odds. This mix of crime and politics defines how absolute power can either pave a path for social reform or lead to a downfall.

The aesthetics of the film blend perfectly with the narrative. Cinematography and background score enhance the film’s dark and grim narrative, and the strong dialogues resonate power and realism. All three Bachchan’s deliver memorable performances and the film brims with the thrilling interaction between these characters.

The narrative pace carves a fitting ebb and flow of political crisis, maneuvers, and upheavals. Director Ram Gopal Varma manages to effectively convey an overarching message about political consequences, societal expectations, and power dynamics through thrilling sequences and plot twists. This movie also explores the lengths that people would go to save their power - the sacrifices, the manipulations and the play of emotions.

Sarkar Raj, as an expression of political power and corruption, is a testament to Ram Gopal Varma’s mastery of the genre. This film is much more than just a crime thriller; it scrutinizes the system, questions the functioning protocol, and challenges societal norms.

To sum it up, Sarkar Raj is a thought-provoking and engrossing journey characterized by power, politics and crime manoeuvres. This movie is not your usual popcorn entertainer, it’s gritty, gruelling and demands your attention to be able to respect its intelligently written plot and pronounced character performances. For those who appreciate political crime thrillers with layers of social commentary, Sarkar Raj is truly a must-watch.