Sarkar - Movie Review

What's it about?
Sundar (Vijay) works as CEO of a company in USA. He comes to India to cast his vote. At the polling booth he comes to know that his vote is cast by someone else. His legal fight for demanding fresh elections to the constituency irks the party leadership that is about to form the government. The three-time CM's daughter (Varalakshmi Sharat Kumar) also comes down to India to fight with Sundar who has decided to contest the elections.

Analysis

There is a perception that director A R Murugados is running out of ideas of late. Though it was a huge hit, many sequences in 'Katthi' lacked effectiveness. With 'Spyder', he hit the nadir. His latest film “Sarkar" proves that his ideas are increasingly turning out to be shallow.

'Sarkar' begins on an interesting note as it unravels a fascinating idea - hero exposing the fraudulent votes (votes being cast by others on false id). After setting this point, the director moves on to 'commercial elements' that are silly and routine. Why Keerthy Suresh constantly accompanies Vijay everywhere? Why does she talk like a dumb woman? Her character is created just for the allowance of couple of songs.

The original idea gets lost in the melee and it turns out to be another regular theme of hero taking on wily politicians.

Murugadoss's ideas are shallow here. He has just tried to bank on the star image of Vijay who has political aspirations in Tamilnadu. Using this image, Murugadoss has written dialogues and scenes to suit Vijay’s personality, to appease his fans. The scenes doesn't have organic feel at all.

Moreover, there is no strong villain in the film. Although Varalakshmi comes in to the scene as lady villain, her characterisation lacks dhum. Radha Ravi, Varalakshmi and her father....all are representatives of clichéd political villainy.

Also some scenes remind us of recent Vijay Deverakonda’s 'NOTA'. Many scenes in the second half are created for the sole purpose of helping Vijay in his political ambitions. So, they may sound okay for Tamil audiences but for us they don’t work at all.

Finally, it turns out to be a boring political drama with no high points. The romantic drama between Vijay and Keerthy is so bad.

Vijay steals the show with his trademark antics. The energetic Vijay of 'Mersal'/Adirindi is missing here. He has just repeated what he has done in other movies. Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar in her brief role is very impressive. Radha Ravi is another actor who is striking. Keerthy Suresh is totally wasted.

Rehman's music is a huge letdown except the 'Tucker' song which is used effectively in the background. Cinematography and production values are just okay. Ram - Lakshman's stunts stand out.

As a writer and director Murugadoss once again disappoints with his lacklustre narration.  

Bottom-line: 'Sarkar' starts off well but ends as a boring political drama. It offers no exciting elements.