SARKAR RAJ - 'HAIR-RAISING' - Thats the keyword!!

POWER CANNOT BE GIVEN, IT HAS TO BE TAKEN!
And then begins another power packed classic from Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) that he is so renowned for (Satya, Company). This movie has everything- Amazing lead characters, equally efficient support, a level of photography expected from such a movie and of course - 'GO-VIN-DA, GO-VIN-DA'- hair-raising music. I was so impressed that I forgive RGV for his attempt to remake 'Sholay'.

The story picks up where the 1st part ended i.e. the Godfather-esque Subhash 'Sarkar' Nagre (Big B) is growing old and his only living son (you know why ;-) ), Shankar (Abhishek) is running 'Things'. "Dad, Main Sambhal Loonga" - the line used more than once in the movie says it all - power in the hands of the son and comfort shown by the father as a result. You really don't have to watch the 1st part to enjoy this one as the characters are well introduced and, wherever required, a flashback to the 1st movie helps.

An international firm wants to build a power plant in a village controlled by Subhash Nagre and approach him with a proposal which would remove 40,000 villagers from their homes. The project build is led by Anita (Aishwarya). The father gives in when the son believes the plant will benefit the villagers in the long run. Moments where the father-son are discussing the matter make you hold your breath for more. Opposition to the project is inevitable. Now begins the game where campaigning for the good is met with hard resistance and results in violence which results in more violence and so on and so forth. The plot thickens...

This is where you start getting jolts of shock running through you. Information like there are individuals above Sarkar or backstabbing occurs from within the family resulting in death or Big B's anger in the 2nd half of the movie are just examples. Most parts of the movie leave you guessing for quite sometime which is always fun.

Character portrayal by Big B is clearly shadowed by Abhishek in this movie. Aishwarya's role involves lots of heavy tears. Emotions on display do not look fake in the movie. Sarkar is crestfallen about Shankar so truly as if he were really his son (Ahem!) and Aishwarya cries for Shankar so instinctively as if she were really linked to him romantically in real life (Ahem! Ahem!).

Not to forget any of the supporting characters who provide the humor in this movie very efficiently. They have been blended into the story which cannot run without them. The manner less but extremely humorous deputy Chief Minister has been portrayed with a big heart and Mr. Vohra's singing makes you wonder how would Sarkar kill this guy. Qazi is another important character who has the usual plot of destroying Sarkar and Shankar in mind.

Technically, this movie has one of the best photographed sequences ever shot in bollywood. Try following your head with the camera movements and you will have a neck sprain as I do now and thats not a bad thing, thats the beauty of it. The lighting used in the movie is completely natural and it is unique. The one scene that sticks to mind is when Shankar blows up the transformer with his car, walks towards the enemy with a white light behind him and there is smoke around him. One scene though was not required i.e. a riot sequence that was created in oppostion to the building of the power plant. Also, a scene where you can see the production spotlight in the glares of Qazi. But, one forgets quickly (I guess not).

Another mention has to be given to Amar Mohile's background score. Trust me and go to a cinema where the sound is great (PS: Adlabs) or you won't be able to live off the experience of that thundering music!!

At the end of the movie, I did not speak for a few minutes and when I did say something, it was 'AMAZING'. I actually wondered at that point what came first - the story or the tagline? I guess thats another one of those 'chicken or egg' questions. I will not be surprised if the team found the tagline 1st and then built a story around it.
Watch this thriller-minute ride which lasts just a little over 2 hours! A classic criminal thriller!!!