Sarkar Raj

The first of the series Sarkar, ended on a note that said, the best is yet to come!
I'm glad, that Sarkar raj too ended on a similar note.

Might have gone unnoticed, but not many Indian films hold up the stories above the super stars in it. This one did. The character mattered here and the story mattered, not the actor. I'm hoping that this will be no Mihir Virani bouncing back from his coffin after a public outcry, in favor of the bouncing cash boxes. I'm hoping that that the story knows where it's headed. It seems to have a direction and a purpose.

The story is fast paced, moving quickly through the events. The dialogs are snappy, usually short, intense and effective. Catchy ones at that. I'm saying it again, but the speed is unmistaken and intensional.

"Sarkar" built up the story with a base conflict but not the primary one.
"Sarkar raj" moved ahead with addressing a more primary conflict - yes you can fight your internal battles and win a fort, but how do you hold the fort. How do you rule? This movie delt with that question. ANd it left viewers unanswered!

Abhishek held the fort - took over the reins from Amitabh, came forward as a visionary. He moved with a spirit of a warrior, rather a king. He, as the upholder of the interests of his people, is completely focused and nothing and noone can stand in the way of his honest and well placed intentions for his people.

He was stronger than his predecessor. He was a greater visionary. He was even more focused. But even heroes know when to be scared. He didn't.

For those who haven't seen it, I'd recommend it as a good watch.

I also suggest that this movie is not a complete story. This movie seems to be part of a preplanned triology - a series of three movies - no more - a la "Rocky". Or the writer has done a super job at continuation.

Watch it after you watch Sarkar, if possible back to back. Watch it for Abhishek, for an impressive reflection of power shifting from one king to another, and feel a vaccum at the end waiting to be filled. So deep is the vaccum, you'll ache for a moment there - for the next "Sarkar".

- om puneet saraf