As requested by readers here’s the screenplay in PDF format and following below is the text version of the same. SARKAR screenplay & dialogues pdf
S A R K A R
Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Sarkar, Screenplay, Script
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Couldnt ask for more…
Thanks a ton for sharing….
The pleasure is all mine Abhishek.
Thanks… very usefull… thanks a lot…
You are most welcome Akash.
hey manish…u ve done a great favor to all of us. Thanks a ton man.
@ PFC editors
the text of the post is in a disarray. Could you guys fix it ?
Ashwini, you putting your comments here will not get the PFC Editors to fix the screenplay.Please email them or contact them and ask them to do it.Please…
thank you for sharing the script.
but this looks crazy. the formatting is all gone.
i request PFC team to upload the pdf or doc that manish gives and link it instead. that would have the formatting in place.
Or, you could have a separate page on pfc for scripts with a layout that will not screw the formatting.
thank u
Yes Kalki. I fully agree. The formatting is gone all haywire. Will you please email the PFC team to fix it? I have already emailed them.But if you guys – the end users let them know the difficulty, they will take it more seriously.
First, l must sincerely thank you for uploading your screenplay.
From the formatting point of view, is this how you had originally written your screenplay or did it get all mixed up after you uploaded the screenplay? Cause the character names are at the left, instead of being in the center, and the dialogs have space between them. If the format was changed due to the PFC server, Could we have properly formatted version of your screenplay, possibly in PDF? Then again I hope I am not asking too much?
Thanks
Hi Maximus,
I had emailed the PFC editors a PDF file as well as a word file of the screenplay. It got completely scattered when they uploaded it.(i did not upload it myself, they did it for me). Can you please write to them to get it corrected? Please…
Hi Manish,
Thanks for sharing. It is very difficult to find an Indian script in the net. I hope that what you have done will set an example for other writers.
Lets hope so…
Its great if PFC starts a Script Bank also. As so many producers/writers/directors are now a part of PFC,They can upload their scripts once movie is released.
I guess pfc has alredy got 3 scripts.
1. chhal
2. Manorama 6 ft
3. No Smoking
and now Sarkar, good going !!
Thanks Yaatri…
Wow! Great job Manish. This is the first script that I have seen for any Hindi movie. Searched several times on the net, but never could find any. Thanks for inspiring us who are aspiring to be dream-merchants.
Can you also let us know more about how you went about writing the screenplay & dialogues? Brief write up on how you started, your inspirations, etc will help us immensely.
BTW the dialogue “Jiske pass power hotha hai, uska wrong bhi right hotha hai” is one of my all time favourites
Dear Santosh,
I was asked to script ‘SARKAR’ by Ram Gopal Varma after he read my script ‘Lets Catch Veerappan’ which never got made.
Ramuji had met Balasaaheb and Raj Thackeray several times. So he gave me insights on their behaviour patterns, ideologies, body language, etc. The only person from the Thackeray family that I was able to meet was Mrs. Smita Thackeray (on whom I based Kay Kay’s wife’s character).
I researched the family’s trials and tribulations over the years over the internet and through my contacts. Ramuji also had extensive knowledge about the family’s history.
We dramatized all these facts and fictionalized them largely to create a tense, intense and entertaining drama.
Manish. What a cracker of a thing you did by posting an actual screenplay!
I had heard (or seen) that a script is something similar to a novel, while a screenplay is what is displayed on screen. Obviously it takes huge talent. But then isnt this the director’s job to write the screenplay or does his main job concerns actual execution of the screenplay only. After all its the director’s vision!
Vinay, the director guides the writer like he guides the cameraman, the actors and the rest of the crew.
BY jove! someone who’s not read the script, it is a little jarring on the mind to read a screenplay. Only because we have already seen the film that we can read a screenplay with interest. Directors and screenplay writers need loooaaads of imagination power.
Please download and read the PDF version. The version you are seeing on the post has formatting errors – i.e. the formatting has gone completely haywire.
@Manish…’the director guides the writer…etc’. Sorry buddy, I beg to differ. That may be true in an Indian context, but all over the world, especially Hollywood, the screenwriter is a totally independent and seperate entity. The director definitely does NOT guide him in any way. Unless the script has already been purchased, the writer may come in and make changes before shooting…but usually the ‘re-write/doctoring’ job is given to another writer, not the original one…
but yes, you also have directors who write their own scripts e.g Oliver Stone, Tarantino etc…
@TVampire
I have read interviews of numerous directors from Hollywood from Scorsese,Coppola to Nolan,Sam Mendes and I have found that Manish’s point is right.Director does guide the writer just like the cameraman,editor etc.
Yes,it is true that due to complicated film laws in Hollywood.There are many posts which are created for scriptwriters(From original story writer to screen adaptation etc.)But that is mainly a legal,not creative adjustment.
At the end of the day,director has to make the film as per his vision and at the same time has to make other creative people feel that they are also contributing in a big way to that vision.
It is always a director’s call to what extent he would allow writer/cinematographer/editor to control the film.Some are autocratic like Kubrick,some are democratic like scorsese and some are anarchic like Godard:)
I dunno how Ramu works or used to work though,Manish would be able to tell you that.But yes, it is always good to write a script as per the director’s vision(If u rnt planning to direct it by yorself).
Kidnly read scriptwriting experiences by Stone,Shredder,Kaufman etc.
Karun, all of your examples happen to be of directors who have written or co-written their own films….often referred to as ‘auteurs’. The vast majority of the Hollywood studio system does not work by the auteur philosophy. Writers are repped by agents just as directors are, and in most cases the two are matched up by a third party, i.e the studio.
Once an original screenplay has been optioned/purchased by the studio from the writer, it usually goes through about two or three re-writes on an average. And each re-write is given to a different ’script doctor, incorporating the views of various executives.
It is only after the script has been thoroughly vetted (known as ‘filmmaking by committe’)that the director is brought in. And Yes, as I mentioned before, at this stage he can start by incorporating his own changes.
It is the exception, not the rule, for a director to be involved in the development of studio property right from it’s inception.
Yes, in the Indie/low budget film world, the lines are often blurred.
Thanks a lot manish !!
Its very difficlut to find Script of Movie like sarkar on net.
u have made my day !!
Thanks again..
Mangesh
Manish, Thanks a lot for Screen play. Can you tell us what are the various films you took as inspiration when writing Sarkar, other than God father. How much was your involvment in camera angles, lighting ,etc.. during the actual shotting?
Apart from Godfather, the film was largely based on Balasaheb Thackeray’s life. All characters were based on his family members, friends, political allies and opponents. There were events from his life that were used (though dramatized and fictionalized for cinematic effect).
I had no input in the shot-taking and camera angles. Ramu used to consult me only if any of the actors had a difficulty with the dialogues.
Manish, thanks a lot, this is very helpful!
Good Luck
Thanks Manish,
highly appreciated….this one did for a good weekend exercise of reading the acreenplay and watching the film paralelly…..its amazing how you see the visual changes from the script on the editing table and sometimes during production….Nice to dissect how a film is made 3 times…during writing, production & editing…. waiting for more…and all the best with your current project..
oops tupo, ma bad…I meant screenplay…
btw…the film and the screenplay both are just amazing…ona ma alltime favorite films…
typo again…..im deprived of sleep..goodnight guys
manish this is an excellent opportunity 4 me coz i have completed my direction course and have also directed 1 short film, but my speciality is in screen play writing. i just want 2 ask u that i have plenty of concepts in my mind, i get these concepts by reading newspapers. but i don’t know how 2 convert these concepts into a 3 hour long story. i mean how do i plant characters, insert emotions, create punches etc. if u can plz help me, it will really mean a lot 2 me.
Navin, no one can actually guide you on how to write. It is an instinctive process that comes naturally to some people. If you have difficulty in writing, catch a writer and ask him to flesh out your concepts. Steven Spielberg only works like that. He has never written any of his films. So, please don’t think its anything to be ashamed of.
There are books available on the subject of scriptwriting. The best book amongst these is ‘STORY’ by Robert McKee. But i don’t think it will really help. Because I am sure Shakespeare never read that book.
Also, in your particular case, you could watch a lot of movies based on true events, true incidents, real-life people, you could read the screenplays of such movies, you will thus get an idea of how such films are written.
I wish you all the best.
Navin,
I hope I have answered your question. If you are still not satisfied with my answer, please feel free to ask me again…
Hi Manish
Thank You very much for uploading the screenplay.
It will be of immense help and serve as a Template for all students of Film Making .
Hi Manish
That was very refreshing to actually see an original commissioned script put up by the author. How many days did it take you get to this draft (and how many rewrites, or were you writing iteratively – as in writing a few scenes and getting them perfected while your story progressed.)
Amit, it took me 25 days to write the screenplay & dialogues. This is the 5th draft that you have read. I rewrote it 5 times. And yes, I was writing iteratively.
Hi Manish, Could you tell us a bit more about your writing process–you mentioned this is the 5th draft of Sarkar. What are some of the key changes from draft to draft–i.e. do you prefer vomiting out all thoughts into a really long initial draft and then restructure and shorten it in each subsequent draft? Or, does your writing process vary from project to project?
Pardon me for my ignorance please Manish, but is this the screenplay that was written, before shooting the movie, or was it written after seeing the movie. Does the screenplay comprise of things like low cut on Sarkar’s face etc….I was under the impression that all of this is done during the shooting of the movie.
Whatever the case, the screenplay is brilliant and thanks for your generosity in sharing your work with us for free. I don’t even need to see the movie, it is just brilliant. Thanks again.
It was written before the movie.
Hi Manish,
Thanks for sharing the screenplay. I am hopeful that your gracious gesture will help light up some inspiring minds.
Best regards.
I hope so Ramzan…
this movie was SLAP to Original Godfather movies
mmm … I liked this one better…
Manish ! Can you please upload the script of STONEMAN MURDERS?
Yes Ram, I am doing that shortly.
Well! This is my first comment, and am one among the swarm of bees with the director’s itch. Manish ji…Right from the film SHIVA, I used to wonder how the writers who work for mindblowing movies look like.
I’ve also been hearing about a phrase DOWN TO EARTH nature. Trust me, I’ve seen the first example ever in my life. I’ve never seen or heard of a person in my entire life, who’s got so much of brains but does take the pain of replying to the comments all through your post. I can’t stop myself appreciating you for that.
Coming to the Sarkar Script, I would have given you the SEXIEST Hug in the world complimented by a Hottest Kiss(if I were a girl). I am even a aspiring Director (Chasing Dreams) and wondered, how the hell would a Screenplay (Indian) look like.
Thanks for showing the real taste of it.
PS: I’ve been only sticking to my Dronacharya’s Blog (RGVZOOMIN.com) all these days, and seldom visited PFC. Thanks for your terrific post, I become a fan to PFC.
Thanks again.
Thanks Raj, please convey your last sentence to the PFC team if possible.
Thanks very much manishji for posting screenplay. Much appreciated. I wanted to know how did you get your first break. How did you manage to break in and work with RGV. Thanks.
Dear Abhi,
I am a mechanical engineer. I used to work as a shopfloor engineer in an engineering firm.
I realised only after 6 years of working in the engineering field that my heart lies in the creative arts.
But at that time, I hated Hindi films since Hindi cinema was at that time dominated by guys like Karan Johar, Aditya/Yash Chopra, Sooraj Barjatya, etc. I hated their films. So I went into advertising. I joined an ad agency (PERCEPT ADVERTISING and then later RK SWAMY/BBDO). I began working as a copywriter. My job was to write ad films and radio ads.
That’s about the time when i saw ‘COMPANY’. The film blew my mind and I decided that Ram Gopal Varma is the man I wish to work with. But it wasn’t easy. Because like any established director, he ignored me – a newcomer. But I was persistent. I kept coming to meet him under some pretext or the other. I even chased his car in a rickshaw and I even stalked him! Finally after a year and a half, he read something I had written. After that, there was no looking back for me. I wrote every film of his from that point onwards – SARKAR, ‘D’, JAMES, DARNA ZAROORI HAI. With DARNA ZAROORI HAI, he initiated me into Direction. I directed one story of the six different stories in the film.
But then, he rejected my story for SARKAR-2, which I had visualized as a prequel rather than a sequel to SARKAR. After that, it became difficult for me to work him. And i ventured out into the market and became an independent director with ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’.
Actually my complete story is much longer. But the space here and the patience of the readers is limited. So maybe some other time.
Regards.
yazwith some excuse pming to itenbit I wncwblaiacuUt it y to ppoal paolI omthe tHE tHEAOM n
And i still hate them today (irrespective of their commercial success). OharNaarhj rahtat gfilmgilmre dterahtedanufacturing echhated Hindi films because a few years back, the cus
Hi Manish, yes i’m really trying very hard to learn by watching other people’s work , but seriously it landed me nowhere. see for example i have watched the movie SHOOT OUT AT LOKHANDWALA, the story is nothing but a simple encounter. But it is told in such a manner that it was appreciated by a lot of people.
When ur writing ur scripts, how do u add characters 2 the story? Manish do u read a lot of books, or novels.
You add characters by adding characters from real life, characters that you see around yourself all the time – cops, bhais, eve-teasers, your friends, your enemies, your teachers, your parents, your other family members, relatives, you will find every character you can dream of, weave them into your stories…write from your own life…your own experiences and understanding of people…life is the best source of inspiration.
And yes, I read a lot. But mostly non-fiction. I read novels and literature once in a while. And I regularly read and collect DC comics and graphic novels (BATMAN, SUPERMAN, WOLVERINE, etc).
Honestly i just want 2 tell u that, i want 2 b that kind of a writer that can take any small incident and can make a beautyful story out of it. and honestly i just dont want 2 write and sell, i want 2 enjoy myself the most coz if i dont enjoy it then how will the people enjoy it.
Tell me which is the most beautyful script or screenplay u have came across recently.
The film ‘FROZEN’ starring Danny Denzongpa.
Manish you really meant that? I mean the “Frozen” part?
Of course Shivajee. I went crazy after seeing the film. It was visually stunning. I developed an inferiority complex after seeing the visuals of your film. I abused my cameraman and asked him to see ‘FROZEN’.I am going to ask my editor to see it too for the non-linear editing (in the beginning when the brother and sister are running through the forest).
I even met up with your actress Gauri several times after that.
In fact, as I was typing this, I received an sms from Gauri!
Good going Shivajee! I hope there’s lots more to come.
P.S.: Please upload your actual face snap here instead of this cartoon figure so that I know how you look. We are sure to bump into each other some day. I want to be able to recognize you. Looking forward. Bye.
:-)
Thanks Manish for the appreciation. Infact I was given the DVD of “Stoneman Murders” by Gauri. Mr. Virendra Saxena had met me recently for something a couple of months back and we spoke about your film.
As for the cartoon figure of “Hobbes” well that is me. And you know “Frozen” is inspired by that “Calvin & Hobbes” cartoon series also.
I really appreciate the initiative from you, Navdeep etc. to get the scripts here on PFC. Other than helping the writers, it would also inspire filmmakers who write their own scripts.
Cheers buddy….
Cheers to you Shivajee, lets meet up someday…are you Bombay-based?
@Shivaji
May I humbly ask you to also upload script of Frozen here on PFC!
Thanks
dear sir,thanks so much for sharing the screen play of “SARKAR”,
this will be one of my priced possesion.as a person who aspires to be a film maker i will always be greatful to you & PFC.
sir i have done my diploma in film making , i have written a few scripts , if you permit me i will mail you one of my scripts , i would be delighted to know your comments on it.
regards
ashok shetty
ashokraviagencies@gmail.com
It won’t be any use emailing it to me. Email it to a producer or to a director who is not a writer himself. That might help you.
I just finished reading your screenplay, and I must say that it is well written. I really enjoyed the story and your writing style.
Now some questions.
If you don’t follow some critical formatting rules, then how do you determine the time? I mean One minute per page, which is a rough estimate. In these circumstances, how will the director know the general time of the whole move? Or is that not that important in this industry?
How do you bind your screenplay when you submit it to stars, producers, or studios?
When trying to find a buyer in this industry for your spec script, do the people in question ever read your screenplay or do you have to pitch it to him?
How much time do you think would be appropriate for a new writer to give a verbal pitch to an important person who has the ability to give your spec the green or red signal?
Thanks a ton Manish.
I will share all this data with you but I would appreciate it if you start blogging using your real name.
I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you, but the fact is that I am registered under this name, Maximus, and I have been blogging with this name for the past two months without any problems. Then again, I respect your Policy, and therefore here is my real name.
repost
I just finished reading your screenplay, and I must say that it is well written. I really enjoyed the story and your writing style.
Now some questions.
If you don’t follow some critical formatting rules, then how do you determine the time? I mean One minute per page, which is a rough estimate. In these circumstances, how will the director know the general time of the whole move? Or is that not that important in this industry?
How do you bind your screenplay when you submit it to stars, producers, or studios?
When trying to find a buyer in this industry for your spec script, do the people in question ever read your screenplay or do you have to pitch it to him?
How much time do you think would be appropriate for a new writer to give a verbal pitch to an important person who has the ability to give your spec the green or red signal?
Thanks a ton Manish.
Dear Rohan,
I hope you understand that I really take out my time to answer each and every question that comes to me. But when I get questions from weird and anonymous names like ‘Maximus’, ‘Scriptlarva’, ‘TVampire’, etc, I begin to wonder whether I am blogging with a genuine film buff or just someone out on the net looking to do some ‘timepass’. That gives me a feeling that I am wasting my own time.
Anyway, the answers to your questions are as follows:
1) I follow this format. Most Bollywood writers follow the Hollywood format where one page is equal to one minute. With my experience, I can judge the length of the film by how much time it takes me to read the screenplay (as if the film was playing in front of me). Also in my format, the timing is approx. 1.5 min per page.
2) I use this format only because it saves printing and xeroxing cost since it fits the script in lesser pages. It also results in a thinner and crisper-looking script. Fat scripts can put off producers or actors who are anyway hard-pressed for time.
3) You submit a script after SPIRAL BINDING it.
4) Producers and actors read scripts. But many of them may ask you to give a narration of the entire script. Be prepared either way. Most of the times, they will ask you for a synopsis. If they find that interesting, they will ask for the script. You should meet a producer, verbally tell him your idea, then ask him if he would prefer reading the script or listening to a narration.
5) Narrating an idea/story or synopsis to a producer should take you around 15 min. The entire narration could take 2-3 hours.
I can understand what you mean. Then again, thanks for answering all my questions.
Hi Manish,
Thanks for the screenplay. So finally I got chance to open PFC at home and am writing here. I guess the conversation here will be stimulating, I see a lot of writers here and that should charge things up. Personally I have been stuck on 1 script for 6 months. I keep throwing things out as I want it to be a conflicting as Chinatown…
Like i said before…Flawless screenplay…
That’s a good attitude. Don’t show the script to anyone till you yourself are excited about it.
Any idea how much does a writer gets paid? any range? I know it’s against the law for an artist to consider money..but I guess the economics has to make sense for one to pursue writing…
Anything between Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 40 Lakhs depending upon his/her calibre and past work.
thnx for the accurate data, and thnx a ton for sharing original script. Its really wonderful, tough many wld not ve the courage to upload thier screenlplay on a public forum.
Pavan, why do you think not many would have the courage?
Hi Manish
Thank you for your reply. And please excuse me as i have inadvertently made this into a two part question (the first one being the one you replied to).
my new query is how do i protect my work from plagiarism. i mean i have just one script (dialogues are not nearly perfect, should that be a concern also, as in where i am not sure abt the impact, i have put in indicative dialogue) and hold it dearly ;)
thanx again to take your time out and answer a newbie’s concern
Dear Amit_T,
You protect your script from plagiarism by registering it with ‘The Film Writers Association’ Richa bldg, Near Monginis factory, Opp. Fame Adlabs, Andheri (W), Mumbai-53.
You can call them on 26733108/26733027 and they will guide you about the procedure.
My God Manish, are you really a film personality????? You are answering each and every question earnestly. Stoneman Murders was a brillinat film, but Forget the film, I am a fan of yours Manish. Seriously taking your time off to answer every question on the internet is just amazing. Thanks for reinforcing my faith, that humans have not become robots, there still are people around. Thank You very much sir.
Thanks. You are a very passionate person. That is a pre-requisite for becoming a good film-maker.
When u r writing a screenplay do u write it step by step, i mean first the premise and then the synopsis and then the treatment, then screenplay in final draft format? r u currently working on a script? when R G V agreed 2 work on ur script did he paid u anything, coz i have heard that, in the beginning u have 2 work 4 free. don’t u think that these days every body is simply making the remakes of Hollywood blockbuster movies and cashing on them. Wat kind of scripts u like 2 work on i mean the genre eg. comic, drama, suspense, thriller.I have heard that even the actors have their very own writers 2 make changes in the script according 2 their own interest.
1) Yes, RGV paid me very well (contrary to his reputation) for my first script itself (’SARKAR’).
2) If after blogging with me so many times, you still ask me what genre do i like and you have even mentioned ‘comic’, then i think i have wasted your time and my own by replying to you.
3) Actors don’t have their own writers. But they recommend writers.
Hi Manish,
Haven’t as yet read the screenplay – but am absolutely blown away by your thoughtfulness in bothering to answer so many queries! Thank you – your answers will help a lot of aspiring screenplay writers! Deepanjali (since you don’t like pseudonyms!)
Deepanjali,
Why do you guys use such silly psuedonyms? it makes the whole process of blogging so frivolous. Believe me, all the film-makers on PFC will take your comments much more seriously and you will receive many more answers if you use your real name and put up a recent photograph. It will make the blogger feel that he is communicating with a genuine film enthusiast and not just some net-crazy nut.
Also, it will be of use to you if ever you are looking for a job in the film industry. The directors & producers here will start recognizing and remembering you. For example, I remember and recall only one blogger here – AMANDA.
This is because she has put her photograph there. So I feel I am actually talking to her. The rest of you are just names which I may not even recall.
Please do the needful if you think I am making any sense.
can u tell me why screenplay and dialouges are always considered separately in India? even awards are separate for screenplay and dialogue. its the same thing isnt it? the script. if more than one person is involved in the writing then they are both scriptwriters. or is it that one person is always kept specifically for the dialouges?
In India, since we are multi-lingual, many writers are not good with Hindi or the local spoken Hindi. Some of them know only English. Therefore there is a separate person for the dialogues whose command on the language is absolute.
will you please share the process you follow, when do you start writing a screenplay? After the story is frozen? Or the story is at say 10 to 15 pager- a detailed doc with most details? Do you write scene break down first and then move ahead or you write the whole screenplay at once? Do you add dialogs later or along with the screenplay?
Dear Ram,
1) I first write the story which is between 1-3 pages.
2) Then i write a ’scene outline’ or a ‘one line order’ which is a list of scenes – scene1,scene2 – till the last scene. In this, I describe each scene very briefly.This could be around 20-30 pages.
3) Then, I write the screenplay and dialogues together.
Thanks Manish. You mentioned you are a mechanical engineer? Did you do it from Bombay? Which college did you go to?
Yes Dhirendra,
I passed out from Fr. Agnel Technical College, Bandstand, Bandra (W) Bombay.Course: Mechanical Engineering.
yes after chatting with u so many times i came 2 know wat kind of genre u like, but i just wanted 2 know that ru comfortable in making all kind of cinemas coz see for eg. take David Dhawan that guy is continuously making comedy movies and now i think even if he tries 2 break his image and make different genre movies, people won’t like it they will still want him 2 make comic movies. Which is the 1 Hollywood movie that u really want 2 make it in hindi 4 the Indian audience.Why? Many times when writers get stuck in their work, they have their own unique way of getting out of that problem, wats yours? 2 become a filmmaker u have 2 watch more and more movies, ur thought on this.
I would love to make a movie like ‘THE DARK KNIGHT’ or ‘THE MUMMY’ for Indian audiences. Yes to become a film-maker, the best way to ‘learn’ is – watch more and more movies.
Screenplay of Sarkar?? why? it was a lame remake of a film whose script you should actually be posting here for analysis here instead. Pl don’t misguide stimulating young minds into believing Sarkar is or was a classic of sorts. It wasn’t, by no stretch of imagination.
Amir,
I have not claimed anywhere that ‘Sarkar’ is a classic. It is common knowledge that it is based on ‘Godfather’. But this excellent website passionforcinema.com has received scores of demands from readers requesting film-makers to upload screenplays of their Indian films that have released. Hence this screenplay has been uploaded.
Hi Manish, sorry for my harsh comments. It’s just that the film was such a letdown for me since I expect any remake of the GF to do more than just piggyride on it for self promotion. To be fair, I’ll admit that the Direction of Sarkar was the it’s biggest flaw. The writing had it’s merits. All the best for everything. Cheers.
No Amir, ‘SARKAR’ was a brilliantly directed film. More than my writing, it was RGV’s direction that made it such a huge success in India.
You are comparing it to Francis Ford Coppola’s direction, the haunting background score, Al Pacino’s sheer intensity, etc. Hence you are finding it flawed.
Stop doing that and you will appreciate the film.
You know it’s virtually impossible to view any GF remake in isolation. or any remake for that matter. I don’t expect the remakes to outdo the originals, but at least offer something new and I personally found that lacking in direction. Perhaps we can someday view Sarkar over beer and biryani and I can point out to you my issues with the film while you could enlighten me with yours :-)
hi manish
can u tell us which software did u to write the script on. Is it MS Word or something else.
thk u
Kalki, I wrote it in MS WORD since I did not have FINAL DRAFT at that time.
I have Final Draft now but I still write in MS WORD because I am used to it.
cool.
i dont mean to ask you to shift to this but checkout ‘Celtx’ at celtx.com
its free and open-source
Have you tried Adobe Story to write your scripts? It free today:
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/story/
This software is being development by Adobe entirely in India.
–Anubhav
Anubhav Rohatgi
Product Manager, Adobe Story
What kind of experience, as an assistant director or etc, did you have in filmmaking before RVG gave you the opportunity to direct your first project, Darna Zaroori Hai?
When the script of Sarkar went into production, did the English description and the Hinglish dialogs remain the same? Or was the script translated into Hindi? By production I mean table reading, shooting the script itself, and giving it to the editor?
Thanks
Rohan,
1) I had assisted on a film titled ‘See you at 9′. It was a small budget film and it just came and went. No one has even heard of it. That is the only experience of assisting that I had.
But – I had written four scripts for RGV and I was always present on the sets to help out the actors if they had any issues with the dialogues. I was with RGV 24 hours. I was with him in the edit suite, in the sound designing studio, in the sound mixing studio, etc. So even though I was a writer, I had learnt the process of film-making.
2) The script that has been uploaded on this site was the script that was on the shooting floor and in the edit suite. (Please see the PDF version. The formatting of the other version has gone haywire.)
Incredible! Loved the movie (the first part, not the second though).
I didn’t write the second part SARKAR RAJ.
That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard. Two halves of the same film written by two different writers.
Hi Manish
Thank you for the information on the film writer’s association address.
Just so you know, all the people that blog here cannot have a profile, as there is no registration facility available. We have to request for blogging rights (gives privilege of being able to start a topic. And hence not many people have their photos attached as they probably are just replying and do not have a profile( like me ).
Again thanks for all the information and “gyan”
Amit_T,
I think anyone can create a profile on PFC. Please contact PFC and check with them again.
Also, even if a person is just replying, he/she does put a name with his/her comment, now why can’t that name could be his/her own? In chatting sessions, pseudonyms are common but the intention there is to have fun and pass time. Here the discussions are far more serious and vital.
Hi Manish,
Great to know u are from Father agnel …I did my Engg from K J Somaiya. though education has nothing to do with writing but I think we bring logic to the table in more practical ways. Even RGV did his Engg. I was never a topper and just knew how to work it smart to get my way through semester exams. However, during the course of study there is an implicit development of IQ and critical/logical reasoning. That seems to show in all of ur scripts and also RGV’s vision.
Manish- It’s outstanding how you patiently reply to so many coments out here. You are one of my favorite filmmakers already even though I haven’t yet seen Stoneman! Will correct that mistake soon.
I struggled through my first screenplay of which I wrote two drafts. I don’t rate it very high as I wrote it while I was still learning. While I wrote my second one, my craft was much better but I got into a real bind with the story because I didn’t plan out the scenes till the end and since I also hold a day job I couldn’t give it the time it deserved (bad excuse). So the result is 150 pages with the end still a good 25-30 pages away and a royal mess.
I had almost given up on it but reading you blog and comments give me some inspiration to pick up the pieces and give it one more shot!
Thanks
Hi Manish,
Thank you so much for posting the screenplay. I liked the writing and enjoyed watching the movie(again) having a copy of SP in hand and on top of everything your comments are pure gold.
I was more than happy to see an engineer writing and making movies as lot many times we choose career because our parents and or the circumstances forces us to do so. Merely we find an example where someone really listened to his/her heart and do things which they really enjoy..you are one of those…is blog ke lakho logo ki tarah main bhi film maker banna chahta hoon aur aap jaise logo se himaat milti hain..isliye tumhara tahe dil se shukriya…tumhare liye maine do line likhi hain…
kuch to baat hain Manish tere wajood me
ke shama bujh gayi lekin to raushan raha
Slight correction (2nd draft):)
kuch to hain baat Manish tere wajood me
ke shamma bujh gayi aur tu raushan raha
Hi Manish
I am sorry if i was mistaken about the membership, but it certainly is not very accessible, AFAIK. And i agree with your concern of using real names, i was just mentioning the profile problem in reference to us not using pics along with our names.
Manish i just want 2 ask u that, when i saw the movie Sarkar the full frame or the screen appeared a little yellowish. same was the case when i saw the movies like Kaante and Shootout at Lokhandwala.Wat is it called? is it deliberately done? is it done while shooting or editing?
@navin. if i may. the look is called a ’sepia tone’. yes it is done deliberately. and lastly, proper film makers would do it mostly while shooting, but a certain amount of it has to be done in post production during color correction. It can also be easily done just during post but then it will end up looking flat, basically nothing like ‘Sarkar’ did (i speak from experience). This is all i know. sorry if u butted into your conversation with Manish.
Navin, Ayush’s answer is correct. Sarkar and other films like Kaante, etc have undergone a process known as ‘DI’ (Digital Intermediate).This is a post-production process whereby the entire film is scanned onto a computer and each frame is colour-corrected to give that brownish/greenish tone.
The cinematographer while shooting shoots in such a way that the DI process can enhance the desired tone.
For a layman, the process may be compared to ‘Photoshop’ wherein you take a photograph and you can give it any tone you desire.
Hi Manish,
i just wanted to ask how exactly, and at what stage, songs are worked into hindi film scripts? like different types of songs, item number, dream sequences, musical montages etc.
How much in detail does the screenplay describe the playing out of the song? i am sure its different because there are so many different ways a song can be used but in general?
And i also, i found the opening sequence of Life in a Metro quite interesting, where Pritam’s band is playing (diagetic or not i don’t know) in Bom…oops! Mumbai streets while the characters go on with their lives. Was that something worked into the screenplay with a specific idea in mind f incorporated at a later stage more as a gimmick (for lack of a better word)?
Pleaseeeeeeeeee tell me.
Songs are incorporated at a much later stage. They are usually forced upon the director by the producer. I will soon upload the ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’ screenplay here. That will answer your other questions.
Hi Manish, Bollywood mein sabki mein itna dum nahi hai jo apne kaam ki transparency dikha sakein… aur waise bhi sabka kaam bhi aisa nahi hota jise collect karke rakha ja sake… great work main!!! why dont u publish scripts like this as a book!!! I will be the first one to buy it or maybe to publish it…!!! great work man… god bless u…
Mohit, I would love to publish this as a book. The book could contain the screenplays of ‘SARKAR’, ‘D’, ‘DARNA ZAROORI HAI’ and ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’. These could be accompanied by guiding notes, examples and general industry information. But where’s the publisher? If you are genuinely interested, then please talk to ‘Penguin Books’, ‘Harper Collins’ & ‘Rupa Books’ immediately. These are the major publishers in India. See what they say. I personally feel you have a good idea.
Some hindi publicatio house , I can’t recall the publishers name, has published a few screenplays (in hindi) of gulzar saab!!
thanks ayush for the reply, seems that its time 4 u 2 start ur own blog, coz i guess now, u have enough experience of film making.
Manish u have been working in this industry 4 a long time now, have u ever been in a situation where u have shot the movie, the editing is completed and the sound recording is done and finally the producers say that they r not happy with the final outcome, reshoot the whole thing or they want 2 put some item song in it.How do u manage during this kind of situation, coz right now i’m in the middle of the same situation.
I have been in this situation before the shooting. The producer forced me to put an item song in the script of my film ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’.
What you should do is fit in the item song but make it blend in seamlessly with the flow of the story. This has been beautifully done in COMPANY and GULAAL.
Also, let me admit to you. I tried to do the same in my film ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’. I tried to blend in the item song with the narrative of the film. But i didn’t land up doing such a good job of it.
btw the item girl in Stoneman was damn hot :D , take it as a compliment
I second this statement….
…I liked the film & no need 2 rue the item song..it served the purpose…
Hi Manish,
I notice you frequently mention camera angles / close up shots etc in the screenplay – is this in consultation with the director or should a screenwriter usually try to incorporate these whenever he thinks he has a strong unique vision of the scene?
The screenwriter should write the shots if he strongly feels that – that’s how the shot should be. But it is solely up to the director whether to follow the pattern or not.
How influenced were you from a lesser known movie made in the early 90s called “Zulm ki Hukumat” directed by the late Bharat Rangachary. One of the better made movies on The Godfather.
One key similarity I found in Sarkar, was the ‘Swami’. Paresh Rawal played the Swami in Zulm ki Hukumat who discreetly just like in Sarkar, plays the trouble maker. I thought it was too much of a co-incidence to have an exact character in Sarkar that was sketched more than a decade ago in Zulm ki Hukumat.
OZ, thanks so much for setting the format of the ‘SARKAR’ screenplay right. It looks so much better now. It is so much easier to read now. Great work. Thanks a lot.
Hi Oz,
I haven’t seen the film you just mentioned. The swami in ‘Sarkar’ was modelled on the real-life godman ‘Chandraswami’ who had fallen into the CBI’s net for international fraud and connections with Dawood Ibrahim. We even named the swami ‘Virendra Swami’ in the film.
Well, Zulm ki hukumat was the best godfather based Hindi movie prior to Sarkar – a must see to discover Govinda’s true potential.
Hi Manish,
Read the script.Very educating. As I said earlier its very inspiring to aspiring dream-merchants like me.
I also couldnt help but notice that some things were improvised in the movie. (e.g. My other favourite Selvar Mani’s dialogue “Style south, operation north”, Scene where Chandar and his men bash up the rapist outside the discotheque, the opening scene showing the father walking in and oscillating shot of the house etc). Not that I am surprised as I believe improvisation is the name of the game.
Q1. Do such modifications piss you as a writer (I mean somebody changing your words)? Do directors usually consult the writer before going ahead and improvising?
Long back I read an RGV interview where he mentioned that he had planned Sarkar long back with Sanjay Dutt (I reckon it was called Nayak). But Dutt got arrested and the movie got shelved.
Q2. Did you take the script of Nayak as reference (if there ever was any script for that film)
I am a Mechanical engineer too, so I cant help but notice the engineer in your writing. I mean you have planned everything so well. Kudos.
Q3. I reckon this is a shooting script, but cant help wondering if you wrote in some of the camera details escpecially the opening ECU of Sarkar for his intro (I ask this coz let me tell you it had a kick-ass effect. ECU of Mr. Bachan and bang the final credit!!!! Osssom)
Thanks for your patience.
Regards,
Santoshmohan Veeranki
1) Sanjay Dutt was to play Kay Kay Menon’s role in ‘SARKAR’ earlier. But it did not work out. To the best of my knowledge,’SARKAR’ was never planned with Sanjay Dutt as ‘Nayak’.
2) The Director always improvises the shots over what the writer has written.So it does not piss me off. Nor will it piss off any other writer.
3) I wrote in a lot of camera angles and shots, some of which were used, some of which were not used.
thats blessing in disguise.. KK was terrific in SAEKAR
Sanjay Dutt would have been good too.
Manish, i just read in yesterday’s Mumbai Mirror that, Himmesh Reshammiya’s upcoming movie Radio which has not yet released, but it has already recovered the money that was put in for making the movie, with help of satellite, video and audio rights.Just want to ask u that wat is satellite and video right? how do people make money out of it?
Audio rights- allowing a music company to make the audio c.d’s and cassettes of the movie.
Video rights- allowing a video company to make the DVD & VCD of the movie.
Satellite rights- allowing one or more satellite T.V channel the right to air the movie either perpetually or for a limited period or for limited airing.
In return for selling these rights the producer tends to make money.These are the basic things that any producer will look at for making money.
WISHING U AND YOUR FAMILY A VERY VERY HAPPY DIWALI
@ Manish,
This is really a great contribution from your side. I couldn’t have asked for more. Esp thanks for answering all the questions case by case. I learnt a great deal of insider things from your replies.
@ PFC Team,
These type of contributions really add value to the site and also to the readers. Please continue these initiatives.
Hi Manish,
I have small doubt. The script of Sarkar was inspired from movie GODFATHER or you can say the novel GODFATHER.
Did it make any violation of copyright issue? or do these types of cases could be considered as a violation of copyright?
Priya, violation of copyright comes into play when if you make an exact replica of the original, using exactly the same scenes, same situations, names, places and characters.
‘SARKAR’ was inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray and events from his life. All the characters were based on his family members, his political allies and enemies.
Of course, the influence of Godfather was there. But it was not to such an extent that would raise copyright problems.
Hi Manish,
Your reply on my previous questions gave me courage to ask more. Please dont mind.
Consider this hypothetical case:
I have a script and I register the same in the Writers association or other institutions offering copyright protection.
Suppose my script gets leaked to some other party and they change character names, scenes and most of the dialogues and insert some new twists and give a new ending. I mean they try to dress the same script in a new way but the overall frame and the sequence of events remains same.
Can I legally challenge for copyright violation?
As you have mentioned in your previous reply that, Sarkar was not inspired to that extent from GodFather, but is there any method to qualtify that extent limit?
Please answer me I am just curious.
Priya,
A reputed banner or director (with the exception of Mahesh Bhatt, Rakesh Roshan and a few others) will mostly never plagiarise (steal) your scripts.
Avoid working with fly-by-night sort of people. You run a greater risk there.
The writers assoc. is a very weak organisation. A script registered by them cannot be submitted in court as evidence.
The copyright office in Delhi will give you a proper copyright. But their procedure is long and lengthy. Search on the net for their contact details.
But sadly, the copyright law in India like other laws is very weak. Therefore to protect your scripts, associate with people either known to you or those who have a good reputation.
If a certain party dresses up your script in the way you have described, there’s nothing you can do.
Therefore, be careful who you give the script to. Prevention is better than cure.
“a script registered by writers’ ass. cannot be submitted in court as evidence.” you sure? why register then?
1) I am sure since I am a member of the writer’s association since many years.
2) A writer registers his scripts with the writers assoc. so that he can prove to the writers association that he wrote the script BEFORE the other writer/director/producer who has plagiarized (copied) it. The writers assoc. then appeals on behalf of that writer to the producer/director who is wrongly using the writer’s work.
3) A script registered by the writer’s assoc. cannot be used as evidence in court because the court does not recognize the writer’s assoc. The court recognizes only the copyright office.
Thanks Manish,
That helped a lot in clearing the confusion.
Manish,
While writing a character based script (say a drug addict or a lone lover separated by death and his lonely life)….
Can we honestly describe the character, their traits, their tendencies, behaviour patterns etc without having real experiences or direct contact with such a person.
I mean there are movies, novels describing these characters but then how honestly do these materials portray the subject?
Are movies/materials of such genre helpful? Any other ways to do research on such a subject?
or is it the imagination (may be false) of the writer who gives flesh to the characters?
1) It will be best if you can meet such a person.
2) If you can’t, then find articles about such people over the internet. Study real cases. You will find loads of information and inspiration there.
Sorry for “??????? ???? ??”
Mr. Manish, The day I saw SM poster I knew that I want to c this movie. And I was so sure that I am not going to get disappointed and thanks to you for proving me right. I myself want to b a FILM DIRECTOR/Story/Screenplay/Dialog writer like u, Neeraj Pandey and Gulzar sir. Sorry for being repetitive but gr8 job in SARKAR. And even I was bowled over by COMPANY. For me the best work of RGV sir. Hope to meet you soon in person/mail and learn more about the domain. Also need to appreciate your humbleness in replying to almost every query in detail. Good Luck.
Thanks Jeet. We will meet someday hopefully.
Here follows one more curious question……
As I am average in Hindi (esp dialogue writing), I completed the script in English. Do I have to find a Hindi dialogue writer to insert the dialogues before i can submit the same to appropriate person/production houses??
Or
Can I submit the script in English itself and it is the duty of the production houses to find one appropriate dialogue writer to translate the script into Hindi, provided they are interested in the script?
Assuming I have no contact in the movie industry, are there any defined ways to approach these houses/individuals? I mean appointment or other ways like that?
Or
Do we have to keep trying with our luck like chasing the directors, actors till we are lucky enough to make someone interested in the script?
1) It is better if you have the dialogues in Hindi. It looks more like a complete script.
2) But it is also common practice to submit a script with English dialogues. In fact, sometimes the Hindi dialogues are written much later.
3) Contact filmmakers you would like to work with. There is no other way. You will have to build contacts – via – via – via friends.
4) Yes, you will have to keep following up till someone picks your script up. Sometimes they may not buy your script but impressed by your writing, they might take you to write something else for them. That is a good way to start.
Hi Manish,
That was really helpful.
Will ask more questions once my curious mind starts troubling me.
Presently I am working on my script and the overall story/idea is more or less defined but I am really working hard on the unfolding of the events to present the story in a more interesting way.
Since this is my first script, I am not sure if i am going right.
Would you mind just to go through a few pages (4-5) only and give me some honest feedbacks? Are there any other ways to judge my work? Will it be helpful to post the same in a public forum and ask for feedbacks?
Priya, there is a writers’ lab: http://passionforcinema.com/club/forum/the-writers-lab
Thanks Amanda,
The link definitely helped with a lot of answers which i was personally looking for.
Yeah, check out
http://passionforcinema.com/club/topic/can-i-post-my-screenplay-here
Do not show it to filmmakers as yet. To judge its potential, make your family members and friends read it. If they are not connected to the film line, then they are the audience. Their feedback will tell you more. If it excites them, tben it is working. If it does not excite them, you need to work harder on it.I get many requests like yours. I hope you will understand that I cannot possibly attend to all of them.
Also, as a rule I do not read scripts of other writers because of the foll. incident:
I directed a movie called ‘HOSTEL’ based on the evils of Ragging. The film is complete but not released yet. But at the time when i was shooting the film, from out of the blue, this person named ‘Raut’ turned up and started accusing me that I had stolen his script!
I had never even seen this guy or heard of him. Also, since I am an Engineer, I had based the script largely on my own experiences that I witnessed 13 years ago when i was in college. Yet, this guy kept calling me up and harassing me on the pretext that I had stolen his script. He even threatened to file a case against me.
His point was that he had sent a ‘concept note’ about making a film on Ragging to Ram Gopal Varma’s office. Since I was working with Ram Gopal Varma around that time, he nicely concluded that I had stolen his idea from there!
i tried explaining to him that Ram Gopal Varma’s office receives around 15-20 scripts on a daily basis. Most of them land up in the trash. Yet, he refused to believe me and kept misbehaving with me.
Later it turned out that he did not even have a script on Ragging! He had an idea and some roughly written outline.
Keeping that experience in mind, I refrain from reading other writer’s scripts unless the writer is actually working with me on a given film project.
I can understand that Manish. The mentioned incident also gives a nice insight about this industry.
Manish, Thanks very much for the both the screenplays …I was always wondering where to get one Hindi Screenplay…I very much appreciate your nature and effort to help upcoming writers/directors….
What I noticed after reading the Sarkar Screenplay was that there were lot of changes in the scenes written by you in the screenplay apart from dialogues; however I do not see any change from the scene(superbly written) between Rashid and Sarkar, but coming to Stoneman Murders, scenes in the film are exactly same as the screenplay.
My question is, Is this (Sarkar) a shooting script or the scenes which we cannot find in the film were edited at the end ?
If this is a shooting script, one cannot stop praising RGV. I think his magical touch gave us an excellent movie out of this script. I clearly notice his mastery of how and where to start a scene, keeping essential things in the scene from the screenplay, and how and where to end a scene, that leading to another good scene….marvellous taking….
And Manish you did a fantastic job in dialogues…extraordinary dialogues…
One among so many superb dialogues from Sarkar:
Nazdeeki faayda dekhne se pehle door na nuksan samajhnaa chahiye….
This was rather I should say copied in Sarkar Raj….dialogue was something like…nazdeeki nuksaan ko dekne se pehle door ka faayda sochna chahiye…kudos to you…