RAM GOPAL Verma’s Sarkar Raj is one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2008. Apart from the curiosity of watching the troika of Bachchans together, the interest stems from the fact that the film is a sequel to Sarkar, one of the few films that have been both box-office hits and critically acclaimed.
However, the recent news reports have sent the audiences in a tizzy that Abhishek Bachchan dies in the climax of the film. The news reported by a leading national daily was interesting because if true, Verma does it again; kill the parallel protagonist, Shankar Nagre (Abhishek), in the film, which is quite a daring move, as it cuts down any possibilities of a trilogy.
After a bit of investigation within the film fraternity, which included the co-writers Prashant Pandey and Verma himself, the author stumbled upon the news that seems strange to be true in terms of its plot.
A few chosen people have seen the privy screenings of the film. They are completely bowled over by it. However, what they found interesting, is the manner in which Verma has developed the tension between the ‘dutiful’ father, Subhash Nagre (Amitabh Bachchan) and the ‘good’ son, Shankar Nagre [recall, how Shankar (Abhishek) kills Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon) in Sarkar].
The person (name withheld on request) says, "The beauty of the film lies in the conflict between Subhash and Shankar, rather than a third adversary. The climax completely bowls you over."
Prodding further, he reveals the climax, "Subhash kills Shankar, as his son gets overdosed of power, he becomes corrupt and takes the power from his father, hence the tagline – power is not given, it is taken."
Amitabh, killing Abhishek on-screen! Won’t it look bizarre? Will the audience be able to chew it?
"No. In fact, the brilliance of the story lies in the inner turmoil of Subhash, brilliantly played by Amitabh. Believe it! It is one of his best performances."
In fact, the entire build-up to the killing episode is executed excellently by the director and it will prove once and for all his mettle as a niche director.
The film, is much better than Sarkar as the conflict, the lead actress, Aishwarya Rai, throws in only brews the tensions between the father and the son. Some noticeable
one-liners from the film, gives the underlying weight of the dialogues, Verma infuses into it. Abhishek says, "Ye project hamare rajya ko asman per pahuncha dega (This project will make our state touch the sky)," to which a poised Amitabh retorts, "Janta zameen per rehti hai… asman per nahin (Public lives on earth, not on the sky)." Well, one can’t really say if the beans spilled are really true; but if true, this will be a cinematic feat of sorts, because probably, for the first time in the history of world cinema a father will be shown killing his son on reel, who happens to be father-son duo in real life. Just wait and watch Sarkar Raj.
