Thursday, June 5, 2008

'Sarkar Raj' to hit theatres TODAY


New Delhi (PTI): Ram Gopal Verma's "Sarkar Raj", which brings together Bollywood's first family in a movie for the first time, will hit theatres across the country on Friday.

"Sarkar Raj", a sequel to the hit "Sarkar", marks Amitabh's first venture with Ram Gopal Verma after their box office disaster "Aag". The movie, seen by many as being inspired by the life of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, also features Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai together for the first time post marriage. "It's been an extraordinary experience working with Ram Gopal Verma yet again. I have the privilege of working with the family as well," the senior Bachchan said here ahead of the release of the movie.

He made it a point to emphasise that the personal bonding between the family members never overshadowed the characters of the film. "When we play a character in front of camera, we play our roles with efficiency which is desired of us by the director," claimed Bachchan who along with his son Abhishek acted in the film's previous version "Sarkar" that won critical acclaim.

Similar to Ramu's previous films, "Sarkar Raj" deals with the use of muscle and gun power in politics. Asked about the meaning of power in his real life, the the 65-year-old Bollywood superstar said it has a different meaning in different perspective.

All eyes on 'Sarkar Raj'!

Thursday, 05 June 2008


All eyes on 'Sarkar Raj'!

All eyes on 'Sarkar Raj'!
Imagine the impact IPL made during the past few weeks! Anyone who understands film business well would agree that releasing a film during the climax of IPL matches would be committing hara-kiri. I am sure, even non-cricket fans would've kept an eye on who eventually wins the trophy. Venturing into a cineplex was ruled out on the penultimate three days, which coincided with the release of 'Woodstock Villa' and 'Hastey Hastey'.
The first question we asked Hansal Mehta, the director of 'Woodstock Villa', immediately after watching a private screening hosted by the Khers, was, "Why did you time its release during the climax of IPL?" Hansal had his reasons, but look what happened! 'Woodstock Villa' is a decent flick and I'm sure it would've fared better had it opened a week or two later. The opening was sad, the weekend was below the mark, while the weekdays have been better at select screens of Mumbai mainly. But, in other circuits, it's been a tough ride.
Besides its release timing, a section of the industry feels that a majority of Sanjay Gupta movies seem alike. Right from 'Kaante' to 'Musafir' to 'Zinda' to 'Woodstock Villa', the visuals [read grainy effects, sepia look] almost seem similar, the men sport designer outfits with eye catching accessories [expensive watches, rings, bracelets], the characters are grey and the mood is generally dark. Quite an observation… Gupta and co. ought to take a note of it!
The second release, 'Hastey Hastey', is a terrible product and its disastrous fate at the ticket window doesn't come as a surprise. The film had a negligible start, posted a poor weekend and Monday onwards, well, let's not discuss further.
But things should improve from this Friday onwards. 'Sarkar Raj' is carrying excellent pre-release reports and the film is expected to revive and rejuvenate the morale of this thriving and booming industry!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Sarkar Raj: Amitabh Bachchan kills Abhishek Bachchan


Sarkar Raj: Amitabh Bachchan kills Abhishek Bachchan

The movie, Sarkar Raj, is eagerly awaited Its dark promos are stirring the curiosity of movie goers. Film promos hint at an unusual catharsis - Amitabh killing his son Abhishek! It is surely going to give the audiences a surprise feast

RAM GOPAL Verma’s Sarkar Raj is one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2008. Apart from the curiosity of watching the troika of Bachchans together, the interest stems from the fact that the film is a sequel to Sarkar, one of the few films that have been both box-office hits and critically acclaimed.

However, the recent news reports have sent the audiences in a tizzy that Abhishek Bachchan dies in the climax of the film. The news reported by a leading national daily was interesting because if true, Verma does it again; kill the parallel protagonist, Shankar Nagre (Abhishek), in the film, which is quite a daring move, as it cuts down any possibilities of a trilogy.

After a bit of investigation within the film fraternity, which included the co-writers Prashant Pandey and Verma himself, the author stumbled upon the news that seems strange to be true in terms of its plot.

A few chosen people have seen the privy screenings of the film. They are completely bowled over by it. However, what they found interesting, is the manner in which Verma has developed the tension between the ‘dutiful’ father, Subhash Nagre (Amitabh Bachchan) and the ‘good’ son, Shankar Nagre [recall, how Shankar (Abhishek) kills Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon) in Sarkar].

The person (name withheld on request) says, "The beauty of the film lies in the conflict between Subhash and Shankar, rather than a third adversary. The climax completely bowls you over."

Prodding further, he reveals the climax, "Subhash kills Shankar, as his son gets overdosed of power, he becomes corrupt and takes the power from his father, hence the tagline – power is not given, it is taken."

Amitabh, killing Abhishek on-screen! Won’t it look bizarre? Will the audience be able to chew it?

"No. In fact, the brilliance of the story lies in the inner turmoil of Subhash, brilliantly played by Amitabh. Believe it! It is one of his best performances."

In fact, the entire build-up to the killing episode is executed excellently by the director and it will prove once and for all his mettle as a niche director.

The film, is much better than Sarkar as the conflict, the lead actress, Aishwarya Rai, throws in only brews the tensions between the father and the son. Some noticeable


one-liners from the film, gives the underlying weight of the dialogues, Verma infuses into it. Abhishek says, "Ye project hamare rajya ko asman per pahuncha dega (This project will make our state touch the sky)," to which a poised Amitabh retorts, "Janta zameen per rehti hai… asman per nahin (Public lives on earth, not on the sky)."

Well, one can’t really say if the beans spilled are really true; but if true, this will be a cinematic feat of sorts, because probably, for the first time in the history of world cinema a father will be shown killing his son on reel, who happens to be father-son duo in real life. Just wait and watch Sarkar Raj.


Sarkar Raj and the Bachchan family

By Khabrein.info Correspondent,

ImageMumbai, June 4: The Bachchans, the first family of Indian cinema, Bollywood, are doing everything to make their forthcoming film Sarkar Raj a grand success. From attending promotional programmes, opening film-based competitions and appearing for interviews on different news channels, the Bachchan family is doing everything for the film.

The family and especially the Bhishmpitamah of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan is taking the lead. He has been everywhere for the film, talking about it, writing about it on his blog and then talking endlessly as to how it would be a success and that how it has been a different film altogether than the maha flop film Sarkar.

People have said that the film may be a reincarnation of Sarkar. Bachchans, especially Amitabh and Ram Gopal Verma, who directs the film had so far claimed that the film had nothing to do with Sarkar.

But yesterday Amitabh accepted that the film was an extension of Sarkar. While talking to a TV channel he said, “the story is about the same family in Sarkar, the story looks into the circumstances of the family. And explores another day in the lives of the Nagre family.”

Abhishek Bachchan went a step further and said, “Sarkar Raj is a sequel because it's an extension of a story based on a particular family. The sequel of Sarkar Raj does not pick up immediately where Sarkar left. The story starts from three to four years later from where Sarkar ended”.

Aishwarya's Rs 10 lakh glares in Sarkar Raj


Hindustan Times
New Delhi, May 19, 2008
Sarkar Raj is in news for many reasons these days. First as it brings the Bachchan troika together and secondly it can very well be termed as Ramu's comeback movie after the debacle of Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag.

And looks like the director is leaving no stone unturned to get the right look and style in the movie. An interesting case in point is the sunglasses that Aishwarya Rai sports in the movie.

Now while Aishwarya was shooting for Sarkar Raj in scorching heat of Hyderabad, the production team was testing a lot of sun glasses for her to wear for the scene.

But Ash, being the perfectionist she is, didn't quite want to settle for something bad and that's when she offered to get the glasses herself.

Says a source from the production house, "Ash plays Anita Rajan, an aggressive and ambitious business tycoon - she is the CEO of a power plant. We gave Ash a pair of designer glasses as part of her look in the film. But she didn't like them much and told us that she would get a pair for herself. It sounded fine until we got the bill in hand!"

And the producers actually got a shock when they saw that the glasses were of a whopping Rs 10 lakh to the producers K Sera Sera and Z Picture Company as Aishwarya had got a pair of Gucci sunglasses from Harrods, London. Well if it's Ash it has to be the best. After all looks matter!!!

Sarkar Raj 'worth the hype': Early brief first Review

Sarkar Raj 'worth the hype': Early brief first Review
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 -

Sarkar Raj won't be seen by most public and media till its launch on Friday. However an IBOS source managed to witness an exclusive screening of the Ram Gopal Varma blockbuster. And if the first response is anything to go by, the film will eventually emerge unstoppable not just in Maharashtra, but all over India.

The first copy of this Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan thriller has come out just a short while ago through the censors

The movie is made for the masses of India. And there are atleast two scenes in the film that will leave the public in awe.

Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Abhishek Bachchan, it premieres at IIFA for a worldwide release on June 6th. It is a Ram Gopal Varma film produced by Varma and K Sera Sera.

So what is the final word on Sarkar Raj? Messaged the source hurriedly: "Seen first copy...very dynamic and intense and powerful...[a film worth being proud of]...Impressions? So the boys have shown what they have. Now see the men!!"

Monday, June 2, 2008

Sarkar Raj