SARKAR is inspired by Mario Puzo's literary classic THE GODFATHER, which Francis Ford Coppola immortalized on the big screen in Hollywood. Comparing SARKAR and THE GODFATHER would be sacrilege simply because THE GODFATHER was set in the U.S., while SARKAR is set in the Indian milieu. It's very Mumbaiya, to be precise.

Amitabh Bachchan is Sarkar, the Goodfather. A mafiosi leader with a strong NGO streak in him, he's effectively playing a grizzled, Marathi shahenshah, a man who essentially sits and listens to unjust tales, sending out a righteous army of goons. No immoralities for this soft dictator. He bears a resemblance to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, but this is entirely superficial, confined to the rudraksh and the red tika.

Amitabh is incredibly restrained, his character bereft of soliloquy and bluster, and his task is to sit there and look simmeringly angry.

Abhishek plays Michael Corleone. Only, in this case, he has been updated to a pink-shirted son studying abroad instead of Pacino's decorated army hero.

Kay Kay is another actor who merits an award for his performance in SARKAR. The actor is truly outstanding in a role that fits him like a glove. Zakir is excellent. Ravi Kale is another actor to watch out for. He is first-rate. Raju Mavani plays the scheming politician with superb timing. Ishrat Ali, Jeeva, Deepak Shirke, Anant Jog, Virendra Saxena and the South gangster are appropriate. Supriya Pathak and Rukhsaar are alright.

On the whole, SARKAR a decently made film.