Indu Sarkar is at best an average movie. It’s the cinematic equivalent to one of those training manuals…think The Emergency for Dummies.

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.

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.

If you cannot tolerate apartheid in the name of politics, this Madhur Bhandarkar scrapbook straight from the 70s is for you.

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.

With Indu Sarkar, Bhandarkar drops most gimmicks and turns the page. But he is still far from Page 3

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.

A nicely narrated story of how common people’s lives were impacted during an emergency. I would recommend watching this one.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

‘Indu Sarkar’ is like a hard-hitting tale which reveals the horror witnessed in the mid 70’s era.

Indu Sarkar shows an India which had to fight for freedom twice. That makes it a must watch.

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.

For its 139-minute duration, the film seems stretched. The narrative is reiterated in the last act, making the viewing a tedious fare.

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.