Abhishek Bachchan, the star, is the product of under-acting, and it took the genius of director Mani Ratnam to understand that the best way to mould this clay of talent was to let him be – as is.

Allow the frowns to stay, the laughter to break out in childish exuberance and keep put that mask of wicked menace…

Years after the success of 'Yuva,' which brought the 'dark horse' back into the race course, Abhishek Bachchan continues to be smart toughie with a possible heart of gold - one that he flaunts with ease in 'Sarkar Raj.'

Between 'Sarkar' and 'Sarkar Raj', Abhishek Bachchan's Shankar hasn't traveled very far, but what he convincingly establishes in this sequel is that Abhi does have the gravitas to ease into the throne of the 'angry young man' that lies vacant since Big B became er… well, 'Big.'

Bollywood's era of angry, violent young men haven't really returned on-screen since Amitabh Bachchan hung up his boots and eased into mature, character roles. At best, what the industry got was a slew of likeable villains and anti-heroes – from Shah Rukh Khan to Nana Patekar to whoever came in between.

None of them had that 'anger' quotient, which Abhishek has taken on his mantle. If he added a dash of endearing cockiness to the muzzled fury in 'Bunty Aur Babli' into 'Sarkar Raj,' there is no diluting the simmering rage.

And that comes to the fore in less-appreciated moments – like when Shankar asks his father's trusted sidekick of twenty years to 'chillao mat.'

Abhishek tries to step into the unwritten shades of a poorly fleshed character, and succeeds in establishing himself.

The ease of power transfer from Senior to Junior is swift and convincing in 'Sarkar Raj' because of Abhishek's 'anger factor.'

Well, for all the panning from critics for 'wearing a frown', let's be honest: What else do you expect the junior scion to do?

The problem with 'Sarkar Raj' is definitely not with the actors – and definitely not with Abhishek.

With its premise that takes away the cold fury of the 'underworld' – which worked so well in 'Sarkar' – to the relative sobriety of 'political king making,' 'Sarkar Raj' could not have been better… or worse.

Look at it this way: What is Shankar in the 'Sarkar Raj' era? He is neither the trigger-happy goon ruling a bunch of killers nor is he an evolved politician. He is neither a media-savvy entrepreneur nor is he a pawn in their hands.

For good or bad (let us not get into the politics of development, for God's sake), he believes that a power plant is good for the public. And for the rest of the film, he works to achieve his dream.

That is the sort of character-sketch that needs subtle interpretation – call it incessant frowning, call it devoid of the 'navrasas' – Abhishek gets it right, and even steals the thunder from his imposing dad, and the screen from his charismatic wife.

Now, that calls for a pat for the 'dark horse' and a welcome to the winner's podium. Abhi, here, take the crown this week for a good, honest performance!