Sarkar Raj is disappointing. More so because it is the sequel of Sarkar, which though copied largely from Godfather, was a good film.
Three things let down the film - slow pace, unimaginative cinematography and jarring background score.
Ram Gopal Varma has a story in his hands but it is not long enough to stretch to the duration that he wants it to. As a result, he compromises on the pace. The film is slow and at times just drags on. In this endeavor, the camera comes to his support. Each shot just keeps on moving at snails pace. The camera lingers and moves slowly at acute angles. There is an overkill of the use of lighting, shadows and silhouettes. Add to this the background score which seems to be taken from a temple fair. The energy of the music and the dead slow pace of camera and story are divergent contrasts.
The dialogs are unrealistic, philosophical and indirect most of the times. There was not need to complicate the film with such devices. Do a father and son never talk in straight language? Saving grace of the film is the performances. Inspite of the lighting and camera angles which try every bit to take away the quality from the natural performances of the Bachchans, they manage to survive.
Ram Gopal Varma needs a break. He probably needs to go on a long vacation and then come back to do something completely out of his style - cast Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in a romantic comedy set in Europe or Manhattan. I hope, he will then rediscover his lost touch. I so much want him to, like many of his other fans.
Three things let down the film - slow pace, unimaginative cinematography and jarring background score.
Ram Gopal Varma has a story in his hands but it is not long enough to stretch to the duration that he wants it to. As a result, he compromises on the pace. The film is slow and at times just drags on. In this endeavor, the camera comes to his support. Each shot just keeps on moving at snails pace. The camera lingers and moves slowly at acute angles. There is an overkill of the use of lighting, shadows and silhouettes. Add to this the background score which seems to be taken from a temple fair. The energy of the music and the dead slow pace of camera and story are divergent contrasts.
The dialogs are unrealistic, philosophical and indirect most of the times. There was not need to complicate the film with such devices. Do a father and son never talk in straight language? Saving grace of the film is the performances. Inspite of the lighting and camera angles which try every bit to take away the quality from the natural performances of the Bachchans, they manage to survive.
Ram Gopal Varma needs a break. He probably needs to go on a long vacation and then come back to do something completely out of his style - cast Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in a romantic comedy set in Europe or Manhattan. I hope, he will then rediscover his lost touch. I so much want him to, like many of his other fans.