Last updated: 5 May 2026


Tamil · Action, Drama
2h 44m · 6 Nov 2018
Music: A.R. Rahman | DOP: Girish Gangadharan | Writer: Jayamohan, A.R. Murugadoss, Krish Thirukumaran
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Sarkar follows the story of Sundar Ramasamy, a successful NRI businessman who returns to India to cast his vote in the elections. Upon discovering rampant electoral fraud and corruption in his constituency, he decides to take on the corrupt political system. The narrative revolves around his fight against the powerful politicians and bureaucrats who manipulate the democratic process for their benefit.
Sarkar presents a politically charged narrative that combines commercial elements with a social message about electoral integrity and corruption. The story is straightforward, focusing on the protagonist's crusade against a flawed system, which resonates well with the audience. The screenplay is engaging in the first half, establishing characters and stakes effectively, but the second half tends to drag with predictable twists and extended confrontations.
The pacing in the first half is brisk and keeps the viewers invested, but the momentum slows down post-interval, with some scenes feeling repetitive. The film balances action and drama, though the screenplay occasionally leans towards melodrama. The songs composed by A.R. Rahman are situational and blend well with the narrative, though none became chartbusters. The background score effectively heightens tension during key moments, supporting the film’s intense sequences and emotional beats.
Visually, Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography captures the urban and political milieu with clarity, while the production values are polished. Overall, Sarkar is a commercial entertainer with a strong social message, though it could have benefited from tighter editing and a more nuanced second half.
Vijay: Charismatic and commanding as the protagonist, Vijay delivers a powerful performance that anchors the film.
Keerthy Suresh: Provides a supportive and engaging presence, complementing the lead effectively.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar: Strong and intense, she convincingly portrays the antagonist with menace.
Yogi Babu: Offers comic relief with his timing, though some humor feels forced.
Strengths
Weaknesses
A. R. Murugadoss delivers a commercially viable political thriller that blends mass appeal with a social cause. His direction is confident in the first half but loses some grip in the second, where the narrative becomes formulaic. The writing is straightforward with clear intentions but lacks subtlety and complexity in character development.
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 65% |
| Neutral | 20% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics generally praised Vijay's performance and the film's timely social message, while pointing out the screenplay's predictability and pacing issues in the latter half. The technical aspects, especially A.R. Rahman's music and Girish Gangadharan's cinematography, received positive mentions.
Final Box-Office Result
Sarkar released on 6 November 2018 (2018).
Sarkar is declared a ABOVE AVERAGE at the box office.
Budget of Sarkar is approximately ₹120 Crore.
Sarkar is available on Netflix, Sun NXT, Sun NXT, Sun NXT, Sun NXT, Sun NXT, ZEE5. OTT date will be updated soon.
Sarkar directed by A. R. Murugadoss. Produced by Kalanithi Maran.
Sarkar stars Vijay, Keerthy Suresh, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Prem, Yogi Babu.
Tollybo rates Sarkar 2.5/5. Verdict: ABOVE AVERAGE.
Music for Sarkar composed by A.R. Rahman.
Sarkar — Genre: Action, Drama, Runtime: 164 minutes, Language: Tamil.