The Return of the Godfather

Having finished a re-reading of the Godfather by Mario Puzo, I cannot help but think that the cinematic version (by Francis Ford Coppola) is infinitely better than the book, in narration, tautness and execution. The closest tributes in Indian Cinema to the plotline are Dharmatma (Feroz Khan) Aatank hi Aatank (Aamir Khan), Nayakan (dir. Mani Rathnam, starring Kamal Hassan, Prabhu) and Sarkar (dir. Ram Gopal Varma-RGV, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Kay Kay Menon). The plot lines in all of them are similar- a Tom-Hagen-esque friend, a verdict that always hinges on what is right morally for the mistreated/ victim, struggle against fellow Dons to keep drugs out of the Mafia system, a bomb blast that taking away a loved one and so forth.

The difference, is that Velu Nayakan (Kamal Hassan) is killed in the end. Subash Nagre (Amitabh Bachchan) is still seeking vendetta. 

On the subject of Sarkar, its sequel Sarkar Raj sees the Godfather Subash Nagre (Amitabh) lose his second son/ successor (Abhishek), while the elder son (Kay Kay Menon) is supposedly killed by Abhishek for attempted murder on the father. The operative word being supposedly, throws up possibilities of a “what if” for carrying forward the Sarkar/Sarkar Raj storyline, considering that RGV has openly admitted that his attempts are a fan’s tribute to the Coppola trilogy. The way forward hinges on the character of Kay Kay Menon (Vishnu Nagre).

1. KayKay Menon’s character (a mix of Sonny and Freddie Corleone) is not actually killed (it isn’t shown in the movie, no funeral) and that he has actually been playing all along as per the counter-plot orchestrated by Amitabh to seek out and eliminate his enemies. For the third installment, Kay Kay comes back to avenge the assassination of Abhishek.
2. Kay Kay Menon’s son (Chiku) has actually seen his father being shot by Abhishek and hence wants nothing to do with the Nagre empire. So he is the real and reluctant Michael Corleone. Anyways, he is shown being summoned by Subash Nagre at the end of Sarkar Raj.
3. Kay Kay who survives and is told to go far far away from the family by Abhishek comes back and arranges the assassin of Abhishek. Now the Nagre feud becomes a family vendetta. Chiku dies in this in the arms of the Godfather  Subash Nagre a.la. Godfather III.

Another scenario is that of a flashback a.la. Godfather II, where Kay Kay is a much younger Subash Nagre, and one such enemy from the past still haunts the Amitabh character. Whatever be the scenarios, it has always been clear to Sarkar followers that Kay Kay’s character has been the one which has and can take the story forward. 

What is RGV waiting for?