Sarkar (2005) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 8 May 2026
Sarkar (2005) Review
Sarkar (2005) — a Hindi action, crime, drama movie directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The cast includes Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kay Kay Menon. Subhash Nagre runs a parallel government in the city where he has a cult following. When his enemies plot to murder him, his son takes charge and stands up against them. Our Rating: 3.25/5. Verdict: HIT. Released: 1 Jul 2005. Runtime: 2h 3m.
Sarkar(2005)
There Are No Rights And Wrongs, Only Power - Sarkar.
Hindi · Action, Crime, Drama
2h 3m · 1 Jul 2005
Music: Amar Mohile | DOP: Amit Roy | Writer: Manish Gupta, Sarim Momin
Ratings
Our Rating
3.25
📖 Story
Sarkar is a political crime drama centered around Subhash Nagre, a powerful and influential figure in Mumbai's underworld who operates with a strong moral code. The story explores his complex relationships with his family, especially his son Shankar, who returns from abroad and gradually takes over the reins of his father's empire. The narrative delves into themes of power, justice, loyalty, and corruption, as the family battles political rivals and internal conflicts while maintaining their grip on the city.
Sarkar offers a gripping narrative that blends political intrigue with intense family drama. The screenplay is taut and well-structured, maintaining a steady pace throughout, with the first half effectively setting up the characters and their motivations. The second half escalates the tension with powerful confrontations and emotional depth, keeping the audience engaged.
The film's content is mature and intense, focusing on power dynamics and ethical dilemmas, which are portrayed with subtlety and grit. The songs are minimal and situational, serving the story rather than distracting from it. Amar Mohile's background score is a standout element, enhancing the mood and adding intensity to key scenes.
Cinematography by Amit Roy complements the dark and brooding tone of the film, capturing the urban landscape and the characters' emotional states effectively. Overall, Sarkar is a compelling political thriller with strong performances and technical finesse, though its slow pacing in parts might test some viewers' patience.
Amitabh Bachchan: Commanding and intense, delivering a powerful portrayal of a complex patriarch.
Abhishek Bachchan: Strong and convincing as the conflicted son stepping into his father's shoes.
Kay Kay Menon: Effective as the antagonist, bringing menace and depth to the role.
Katrina Kaif: Limited but impactful, adding charm and grace.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Powerful performances, especially by Amitabh Bachchan
- ✓Engaging political crime drama narrative
- ✓Strong background score enhancing the mood
- ✓Taut screenplay with effective pacing in the second half
Weaknesses
- ✕Slow pacing in the first half
- ✕Limited use of songs which may affect mass appeal
- ✕Some supporting characters underdeveloped
🎬 Direction & Writing
Ram Gopal Varma delivers a focused and intense direction, capturing the dark underbelly of political power with a realistic and gritty approach. His writing balances family drama with crime thriller elements effectively, though some narrative threads could have been explored more deeply.
- - Cinematography by Amit Roy
- - Background score by Amar Mohile
- - Editing maintaining narrative flow
- - Sound design enhancing tension
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.75 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.25 / 5 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- -
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics
Critics praised Sarkar for its intense performances, especially Amitabh Bachchan's portrayal of the titular character. The political narrative and realistic depiction of power struggles were highlighted as major strengths. Some criticism was directed towards the film's slow pacing in the initial phase and underutilization of some characters. Overall, the film was appreciated for its mature storytelling and technical aspects.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sarkar release in theatres?▾
Sarkar released on 1 July 2005 (2005).
Is Sarkar a hit or flop?▾
Sarkar is declared a HIT at the box office.
Where to watch Sarkar online? OTT release date?▾
Sarkar is available on Kanopy, Sun Nxt, Plex, Plex Channel, Fawesome. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Sarkar?▾
Sarkar directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Produced by Parag Sanghavi, Ram Gopal Varma.
Who are the main cast members of Sarkar?▾
Sarkar stars Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kay Kay Menon, Supriya Pathak, Katrina Kaif.
What is the Tollybo rating for Sarkar?▾
Tollybo rates Sarkar 3.25/5. Verdict: HIT.
Who composed the music for Sarkar?▾
Music for Sarkar composed by Amar Mohile.
What is the genre and runtime of Sarkar?▾
Sarkar — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 123 minutes, Language: Hindi.