Sarkar 3 song: Amitabh Bachchan's iconic baritone adds power to the Ganpati aarti

The Ganpati aarti has become an ominous sign in gangster films in Hindi cinema. From Agneepath (1990) to Ram Gopal Varma's very own Satya (1998), the Ganesh visarjan has become an integral part of cinema. The director has turned to it again in his latest Sarkar 3, and Amitabh Bachchan's iconic baritone adds the required gravitas to the occasion.

Since he plays the Maharashtrian political king-maker, it was inevitable for the Ganpati festival to be ignored. Varma had skipped showing the festival in the two previous Sarkar films. This time, he puts Bachchan front and centre, worshipping 'bappa' amidst the crowds thronging Dadar Chowpatty. In addition to Bachchan, the presence of Amit Sadh and Ronit Roy's characters gives the occasion a sense of ominous foreboding.

Composed by Ravi Shankar, the aarti does not deviate from the traditional rhythms. It is Bachchan's iconic baritone that boosts the energy of the song, layering it with a sense of determination. The song seems a little short, and moves directly into the crescendo of the aarti's finale featured on attempts of assasination, and violence. The sense of drama is heightened by the coterie of villains in the film, Manoj Bajpayee, Jackie Shroff, Rohini Hattangadi, and Yami Gautam making an appearance towards the end. The conclusion though lies with Bachchan's Subhash Nagre, who declares at the beginning of the song, 'Agar darr ke jiyunga to Sarkar nahi rahunga. Jo hoga wo hoga, baaki bappa ke haath me.'

Click to watch the song video.

Sarkar 3 is directed by Ram Gopal Varma, and stars Amitabh Bachchan, Amit Sadh, Manoj Bajpayee, Jackie Shroff, Yami Gautam, Rohini Hattangadi and Supriya Pathak in pivotal roles. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on 12 May.