Top critic
IBNLive
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar is at best an average movie. It's the cinematic equivalent to one of those training manuals…think The Emergency for Dummies.


Kriti Kulhari shines, but the Emergency-era drama loses its way in melodrama.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Indu Sarkar is largely negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding the film a disappointment relative to director Madhur Bhandarkar's earlier work like Chandni Bar and Page 3. The most consistent praise went to the performances, particularly Kriti Kulhari's lead role, with a handful of critics finding the film an engaging if imperfect account of the Emergency period. However, the majority of critics faulted the film for a confused, directionless narrative, melodrama, and a stretched runtime that made for tedious viewing. Several reviewers also took issue with the film's overtly political framing, describing it as propaganda rather than nuanced historical drama.
2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 19 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar is at best an average movie. It's the cinematic equivalent to one of those training manuals…think The Emergency for Dummies.
Top critic
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar is set during the Emergency, and shows us the horrific violation of freedom put into motion by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, aided and abetted by her younger son Sanjay.
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar shows an India which had to fight for freedom twice. That makes it a must watch.
Film review ·
If you cannot tolerate apartheid in the name of politics, this Madhur Bhandarkar scrapbook straight from the 70s is for you.
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar is no satire or subliminal piece on the history of Indian politics. It takes too many cinematic liberties, but thankfully its focus on the strong female lead lends it credibility and keeps the jingoism curbed. The performances are certainly its strength. Thankfully its rights outnumber its wrongs, making it an engaging watch for sure.
Film review ·
A nicely narrated story of how common people's lives were impacted during an emergency. I would recommend watching this one.
Film review ·
With Indu Sarkar, Bhandarkar drops most gimmicks and turns the page. But he is still far from Page 3
Film review ·
INDU SARKAR if done by a new comer would have been called as a better attempt but we expected some tight comment from Madhur who gave us CHANDINI BAR, PAGE 3, FASHION and the underrated SATTA.
Film review ·
'Indu Sarkar' is like a hard-hitting tale which reveals the horror witnessed in the mid 70's era.
Film review ·
Despite all its shortcomings, I didn't mind the subject approached. Better getting excited about a film on the subject and being disappointed than not to have a film on the subject at all.
Film review ·
To say that Indu Sarkar is better than Heroine and Calendar Girls is hardly a compliment to the man who made Chandni Bar and Page 3.
Film review ·
Madhur Bhandarkar's latest film starring Kriti Kulhari and Neil Nitin Mukesh has a confused narrative and melodrama that dethrones the attempt to champion the cause of democracy.
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar opens with the declaration of Emergency but its true beginning-point is a disclaimer proclaiming it as a work of fiction bearing nothing more than a chance resemblance to people, places, and events. I found that disclaimer to be less of a mandatory insert and more an apology for the film's artlessness.
Film review ·
For its 139-minute duration, the film seems stretched. The narrative is reiterated in the last act, making the viewing a tedious fare.
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar is the name of the lead character in this film; Sarkar, being her Bengali husband's last name. That play of words is by far the only thing clever about this blatantly political propaganda picture.
Film review ·
Set during the emergency, a dark period in recent Indian politics, this is the story of an orphan who has a speech impediment. The film wanders directionless, starting out as a propaganda film showing the Congress as evil, then not knowing where to take the rebellion. Pointless exercise.
Film review ·
Two words: Skip this. And if at all you muster up the courage to watch Indu Sarkar, keep a mug of VERY strong coffee handy. You might doze off several times while the Emergency plays out in front of you.
Film review ·
Indu Sarkar is an effective period drama meant only for the classes and it should do well in the good multiplexes of the cities only. However, given its dull start, that won't be enough as it has to face the opposition of Mubarakan this week...
Film review ·
If the current political climate is to give rise to more films about the Emergency – and we could do with several, just as we could films about other tumultuous periods in our history – one would hope they're better art.
From our readers
2 ratings · user score 2.5
It's average drama movie. The film doesn't describe the reason for emergency and had not shown the truth. In reality indira provided the land for agriculture to the people who were below poverty line in many parts of india. But indian film makers will not saw this . Why bhandarkar had not film the 1965 indo pak war where india become the first country who surrenders 92000 pakistan army under the leadership of indira ji. Not in india but in the world.
One of the biggest blemishes in Independent India was the Emergency imposed during the period of 1975-77 by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the behest of the PM Indira Gandhi. The mastermind behind this decision was said to be Sanjay Gandhi, the scion of the Nehru dynasty & it was a curb on all sort of freedom of the citizens, not to forget the forced sterilization of men. Madhur Bhandarkar's films have always focused on the vices & virtues of various industries be it "Fashion", "Page 3" etc. This time around he has turned his attention to Emergency & it remains to be seen whether he has given an unbiased account of events??? The protagonist of the movie is an orphan Indu (Kirti Kulhari) who suffered from a congenital stammer. It proved to be a hindrance during her days at the orphanage as many potential parents refused to adopt her. In time, she grew up to be an educated lady with a flair for poetry though her ultimate wish was to get married & settle down. However, her stammer was too big a problem for many prospective grooms & their mothers. But destiny finally smiled on her as she got married to a civil servant, Navin Sarkar (Tota Roy Chowdhury) who was the go-to man of a prominent minister in the Government. It was around this time that Emergency was imposed, which made Indu witness to many unsavoury events. How it brings about a change in her attitude forms the crux of the movie. Madhur Bhandarkar's credentials as a director needs no introduction as it is well documented with some classic films. But it's been quite a while since his movies have made an impact at the box office which is understandable as most of them were abysmal. This track record is unlikely to change for his latest venture as well as his script doesnt offer anything substantial rather than just barely skim through some of the prominent events. Despite the uncanny similarities to prominent political figures, he refrains from using their names & reduces them to typical Bollywood villains, rather than attempt to make it into a thrilling political drama. On the positive side, credit ought to be given for the casting; as the choice of artists was impressive & they have delivered as well. Kirti Kulhari continues her fine form from "Pink" & was spot on with her portrayal of the protagonist. Tota Roy. Sheeba Chadha (as Mekhla) & Manav Vij (as Inspector Sodhi) have done justice to their roles. Neil Nitin Mukesh could have been the doppelganger of Sanjay Gandhi but he was handicapped by being reduced to a stereotypical Bollywood villain. Verdict: Apart from the clever choice of words for the title, there is hardly anything worthwhile contrary to what the trailer conveyed. There was ample scope for a riveting political drama but what we get is mundane stuff. However, kudos to the sincere effort of the artists though the same cant be said about Madhur. In short, wont hurt to give it a miss!!! Rating: 2.25/5 Regards...Ben
Credits
Kirti KulhariIndu Sarkar
Anupam Kher
Neil Nitin MukeshSanjay Gandhi
Tota Roy ChowdhuryNavin Sarkar
Sheeba Chaddha
Parvin Dabas
Madhur Bhandarkar
Sanjay Chhel
Anu MalikHindi films like Indu Sarkar