Sarkar

Giving into a lot of hype, and after numerous STD calls to my posse out in Chennai, I went in to see Sarkar yesterday afternoon. Hope you read the part about the hype, cos that's basically all there is in the movie!

As the movie starts, in one among a series of silent visuals, Ram Gopal Varma writes that all directors since Godfather has been influenced at one time or the other, this is his tribute. Well, let's just say he blew his chance. I hope we aren't bothered by a second tribute by RGV.

Relying on his stock of rich background music and washed out visuals, and general goonda settings (replete with ugly guys running in dirty alleys) and a wonderful story line for inspiration, RGV has managed to screw it up, even though he had the Bachchan duo for backup.

If you ask me what's missing, then I think it's the Godfather's aura. The absolute power that Don Vito Corleone enjoyed. The absence of harsh words and raised voices. The action that speaks louder than words. The smooth nature of it all. The original gangster.

Don't waste your cash on the movie. Just read Godfather again.