Sarkar 3 (2017) | The Final Power Play of Subhash Nagre | Movie Review

Ten years after Sarkar Raj, Ram Gopal Varma returns with Sarkar 3, promising a darker, more personal tale of political power and betrayal.

Amitabh Bachchan reprises his legendary role as Subhash Nagre, facing threats both from within and outside his loyalist circle.

Can the final installment reignite the fire of the original?

Or does it collapse under its legacy?

Genre

Crime, Drama, Political Thriller, Sequel

Director

Ram Gopal Varma

Release Date

May 12, 2017 (India)

Language

Hindi

Plot Summary

With Shankar gone, Subhash Nagre is alone at the helm of his empire. A new generation of threats emerges—greedy politicians, disloyal allies, and corporate sharks. Nagre’s distant grandson Shivaji steps in, but his real intentions remain murky as betrayal looms close.

Plot Synopsis

Subhash Nagre, now old and more cynical than ever, continues to operate as a vigilante justice provider. He refuses a real estate proposal from billionaire Michael Vallya, leading to a chain of calculated attacks. Parallelly, Govind Deshpande, a rival politician, plots Sarkar’s downfall. Shivaji, the grandson of Subhash, arrives and begins to help, but his motivations are questioned by everyone around. The film ends in a power play that tests loyalty, blood, and ideology.

Summary Of The Story

Sarkar 3 is about legacy under siege. As old enemies return with new faces, and younger blood offers both hope and betrayal, Subhash Nagre must decide what kind of Sarkar he wants to leave behind. The story wrestles with themes of control, legacy, blind loyalty, and betrayal in the context of Indian politics and capitalism.

Performances

• Amitabh Bachchan: Delivers an intense performance, though the script often restricts his emotional arc.
• Amit Sadh (Shivaji): Tries to carry the new generation role, but lacks gravitas.
• Yami Gautam: A surprising departure from her usual roles, playing the revenge-seeking Annu—bold but underdeveloped.
• Manoj Bajpayee: The scene-stealer. His role as Govind Deshpande is strong but too short-lived.
• Jackie Shroff: Plays a caricature-like villain, adding unnecessary theatrics.

Dialogues

• “Sarkar ek soch hai, ek vichardhara hai.”
• “Politics mein sab kuch personal hota hai.”
• “Log Sarkar ke haath nahi, unka ashirwaad chahte hain.”

Quotes

• “Power is the only religion in politics.”
• “Enemies never die, they multiply.”

Tag Lines

• “The lion still roars.”
• “Every legacy ends with blood.”

Critical Reception

• ⭐ 2.5/5 – The Indian Express: “Lacks the intensity of the originals.”
• ⭐ 3/5 – Hindustan Times: “Amitabh shines, script doesn’t.”
• Audience praised Big B, but criticized weak supporting characters and a flat screenplay.

Legacy

Sarkar 3 marks the end of a politically loaded trilogy, but it’s considered the weakest entry. Despite flaws, it reinforces the cult of Subhash Nagre and ends with dignity for the character.

Impact

• Reaffirmed Amitabh’s dominance in intense political roles.
• Highlighted the challenge of continuing a franchise without reinventing core themes.
• Sparked debate over the need for a Sarkar Origins series, which remains unconfirmed.

Writers

Jaya Kumar (Story and Dialogues)
Ram Gopal Varma (Screenplay)

Stars

Amitabh Bachchan, Amit Sadh, Yami Gautam, Jackie Shroff, Manoj Bajpayee

Cast

• Amitabh Bachchan – Subhash Nagre (Sarkar)
• Amit Sadh – Shivaji Nagre
• Yami Gautam – Annu Karkare
• Jackie Shroff – Michael Vallya
• Manoj Bajpayee – Govind Deshpande
• Rohini Hattangadi – Rukmini Nagre
• Ronit Roy – Gokul Satam
• Parag Tyagi, Bajrangbali Singh, Bharat Dabholkar

Crew

• Director: Ram Gopal Varma
• Story: P. Jaya Kumar
• Screenplay: Ram Gopal Varma
• Producer: Rahul Mittra
• Cinematographer: Amol Rathod
• Editor: Anwar Ali
• Music: Ravi Shankar
• Background Score: Bapi-Tutul

Certificate

U/A (India)

Parents Guide

• Moderate violence and intense themes
• No sexual content or strong profanity
• Suitable for audiences aged 13+

Trivia

• Yami Gautam’s first role was as a semi-antagonist.
• Ram Gopal Varma admitted in interviews that Sarkar 3 was a reaction to criticism of Sarkar Raj.
• Jackie Shroff’s character was originally written for Sanjay Dutt.

Goofs

• Shivaji’s laptop screen shows inconsistent data in scenes.
• Repetition of the musical score undermines emotional impact.
• Deshpande’s location shifts unrealistically during a chase scene.

Connections

• Sequel to Sarkar Raj and conclusion to the Sarkar trilogy
• Echoes Godfather III’s tone of personal loss and internal decay

Soundtracks

• “Ganpati Aarti” – Traditional chant remix
• “Govinda Theme” – Remixed orchestral version
• “Desh Ke Gaddar” – Instrumental
• Music Director: Ravi Shankar, Bapi-Tutul

Filming Locations

• Mumbai
• Goa
• RGV Studios, Hyderabad

Production Company

Wave Cinemas, AB Corp Ltd.

Box Office

• Budget: ₹20 Crore
• Gross: ₹16.5 Crore
• Verdict: Below Average

Latest Updates

• As of 2025, there is no confirmation of a prequel or spinoff, though rumors persist of a digital miniseries titled Young Sarkar.
• Sarkar 3 was added to Zee5’s political thrillers category in May 2025.

Final Verdict

Sarkar 3 tries hard to channel the original’s intensity but delivers a mixed bag. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant as always, but the plot lacks novelty and pacing. It closes the trilogy without adding much legacy value, though it provides closure for fans.

⭐ Rating: 2.75 / 5

Takeaways

1. Legacy films must evolve, not repeat.
2. Amitabh Bachchan remains untouchable in brooding patriarch roles.
3. Flashy villains and chaotic pacing can derail even iconic franchises.

External Links

• IMDb – Sarkar 3
• Wikipedia – Sarkar 3
• Official Trailer – YouTube

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