Quick answer: Sarkar 3, Ram Gopal Varma’s third film in the Sarkar series, released on 12 May 2017, not on the 17 March 2017 date first reported. Amitabh Bachchan returned as Subhash Nagre (“Sarkar”), with Manoj Bajpayee, Jackie Shroff, Yami Gautam, Amit Sadh and Ronit Roy. According to Bollywood Hungama, it grossed only about ₹18.48 crore worldwide.
About this page
This article was first published in late 2016, when Sarkar 3 was announced and its first look came out. The film has since been released, so we keep the page as a record of what was announced, correct what changed, and add what actually happened. Details were checked again in October 2026.
The Sarkar series so far
Sarkar is a political crime series directed by Ram Gopal Varma, centred on Subhash Nagre, a powerful Mumbai leader known to his followers as Sarkar. The first film is widely described as inspired by The Godfather and the politician Bal Thackeray.
Sarkar (2005)
Released on 1 July 2005, Sarkar starred Amitabh Bachchan as Subhash Nagre, Abhishek Bachchan as his son Shankar, Kay Kay Menon, Katrina Kaif, Tanishaa Mukerji, Supriya Pathak, Kota Srinivasa Rao and Anupam Kher. It was a critical and commercial success.
Sarkar Raj (2008)
The sequel, released on 6 June 2008, brought back Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in their roles and added Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, with Dilip Prabhavalkar, Supriya Pathak and Tanishaa Mukerji. It was also a critical and commercial success. Sarkar 3 came nine years later and continues from the events of Sarkar Raj.
Sarkar 3: release date, cast and poster
This page originally said Sarkar 3 would release on 17 March 2017. That date did not hold: the film released on 12 May 2017, distributed by Eros International. The original article also described it as written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma; Varma directed it, but the story and screenplay are credited to P. Jaya Kumar.
Ram Gopal Varma confirmed the film in August 2016 and said on Twitter that Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would not be part of it. Abhishek Bachchan does appear in a brief cameo as Shankar Nagre.
Sarkar 3 cast
- Amitabh Bachchan as Subhash Nagre (“Sarkar”)
- Amit Sadh as Shivaji “Cheeku” Nagre, Sarkar’s grandson
- Yami Gautam as Annu Karkare
- Jackie Shroff as Michael Vallya
- Manoj Bajpayee as Govind Deshpande
- Ronit Roy as Gokul Satam
- Supriya Pathak as Pushpa Nagre
- Rohini Hattangadi as Rukku Bai Devi
What the film is about
A businessman wants Sarkar’s support for a real-estate project over a large Dharavi slum. When Sarkar refuses, the businessman and his Dubai-based boss, Michael Vallya, join a rival politician to bring Sarkar down, while Sarkar’s hot-headed grandson Cheeku enters the family’s politics.
How Sarkar 3 performed
The original article asked whether Sarkar 3 would repeat the success of the first two films. It did not. Bollywood Hungama records an opening day of about ₹2.10 crore nett, an India total of about ₹9.93 crore nett (₹13.79 crore gross) and a worldwide gross of about ₹18.48 crore. Sarkar 3 is also covered in our list of Bollywood movies of January to March 2017, where it was first expected.
For the lead actor’s best-known lines, see our collection of Amitabh Bachchan dialogues. Another film of that season, Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil, is covered in our Kaabil news page.
Frequently asked questions
When did Sarkar 3 release?
Sarkar 3 released on 12 May 2017, about two months after the 17 March 2017 date first reported.
Is Abhishek Bachchan in Sarkar 3?
Only in a brief cameo as Shankar Nagre. Ram Gopal Varma said in August 2016 that Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan would not be part of the film.
Who plays the villain in Sarkar 3?
Sarkar’s main opponents are Jackie Shroff’s Michael Vallya, a Dubai-based businessman, and Manoj Bajpayee’s politician Govind Deshpande.
How many Sarkar films are there?
Three: Sarkar (2005), Sarkar Raj (2008) and Sarkar 3 (2017), all directed by Ram Gopal Varma with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead.
Credits, release dates and box office checked in October 2026 against the films’ published credits and Bollywood Hungama’s box office page. Box office figures are attributed because sources differ.
