Movie Reviews: Guru

Movie Review: Guru

Abhishek Bachchan as Gurukant Desai and
Aishwarya Rai as his wife Sujatha
in GURU.

2007 Madras Talkies, Yash Raj Films, Adlabs

GURU, the latest film from writer-director Mani Ratnam, begins with the usual disclaimer about not being based on any individual and any similarities are purely coincidental. In this case, it is more than just legalese: the film is acknowledged to be loosely inspired by the life
of Indian entrepreneur Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani, better known as Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries Limited. His firm,
initially called Reliance Commercial Corporation and set up to import polyester yarn and export spices, grew into the largest petrochemical firm
in India and is reportedly the largest private sector company in the country as well. Additionally, the company held interests in textile
manufacturing, telecommunications and financial services. Ambani died in 2002 and a dispute among his surviving family has led to the company being split into several smaller entities.

Ambani was a colorful figure whose ethics were not always above board. His life was chronicled in the unauthorized biography,The Polyester Prince by Hamish McDonald. Instead of taking a purely biographical approach to the material, Mani Ratnam instead optedto fictionalize the story (I would guess partly to avoid lawsuits). What he has crafted in GURU is a superb film that profiles a man driven to succeed. The movie opens in black-and-white with Gurukant Desai (excellently portrayed by Abhishek Bachchan) recalling how his father always told him that it was pointless to dream. Defiantly, he dared to dream -- and he came to realize nearly all of them. From a rural upbringing as the son of the local headmaster to the corridors of power as the nation of India grew and developed.

GURU takes the young man to Turkey where he excels in his work for an oil company. Offered a promotion and a large salary increase, Desai
turns it down to return to his native area with the idea of going into business. His father scoffs at his schemes, certain he will fail, and that is
partly the psychological spur he needs to find success. He marries Sujatha (Aishwarya Rai), whom he had encountered on a train ride after
she had been spurned by her lover. That she happens to be the sister of Guru's best friend and future business partner (Arya Babbar) and that she comes with a large dowry also play into the equation. At first, she is unhappy with the idea but gradually warms up to her spouse --until her brother informs her in anger about why Guru really married her. The couple eventually overcome this little bump and settle in together.

As the story evolves from roughly the late 1940s into the 1980s, Guru schemes to succeed, never taking "no" for an answer. With success
and power, though, come critics, notably his former mentor, newspaper editor Nanaji (Mithun Chakraborty), and an avid reporter (R Madhavan).
The film reaches its climax in the early 1980s when Guru has to defend himself before a government board and he delivers a bravura, inspiring speech.

The film is anchored by Bachchan's terrific performance. As always, Rai is lovely to look at, but she doesn't make much of her character. The large supporting cast is uniformly good,with Babbar, Madhavan, Vidya Balan and the always reliably great Roshan Seth as the standouts.

In mulling over this film, I kept trying to think of an American movie to which it may bear comparisons and I kept thinking of Orson Welles' CITIZEN KANE. While GURU is not quite on the same level as that masterpiece (after all, what is?), it does rank pretty close in its depiction of the life of a man consumed by his business pursuits and his dreams. Even if you have never heard of Ambani or know little about India and
its history, you can still appreciate GURU for its terrific cast and its strong direction and script.

Rating: B+
MPAA Rating: NONE
Running time: 165 mins.
(shown with an intermission)

Viewed at The ImaginAsian

http://www.murphysmoviereviews.net/2007Films/guru.html

Someone who watched the film raves about it!! 😃 ...From Indiafm.com

PS..this is NOT my personal review


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OK, so I just saw Mani Ratham's GURU in a special screening at New York's Wallace Theatres. Before I take a shower and eat dinner, I have one thing to share: GURU IS A GOOD FILM. Due to certain restrictions, I cannot go over the film. But what I can say is Junior B has arrived. If you thought Jr. Roshan was all that in Krissh, Junior B's acting in GURU is far better fetched. GURU is a role of a lifetime. Only few actors in Bollywood (Amitabh in Main Azad Hoon, Ajay Devgan in Bhagat Singh and Manoj Kumar in his previous classics) have essayed a histronic role with perfection by themselves. Add Junior B to that collection.Not too say that there are some flaws in GURU, the film is by far is entertaining. Junior B steals the show from start to finish. His introudution and the film's climax will strike a chord.

GURU is the first most entertaining film in 2007. Watch it to appreciate a huge star in the making. This should be Junior B's ground-breaking venture

Guru - Rise of the Sun
By: Paulsb02 | 5 hrs 16 mins ago

Member's Rating of this Product:
Member's Recommendation of this Product: Yes
Plot:
Cast Performance:
Sound Track:
Cinematography:

Pros: Cast performance & First half
Cons: Script some times turn to be as one of documentary


A Mani Ratnam movie is always special and Guru is no exception. I like to read biographies a lot and I didn't miss the first day's show of Guru in Dubai. The much awaited film satisfy most of the expectation from the film though it is not the best we can expect. The first half of the film is perfect and we cannot ask for more from the Director, though the technical side could be improved. The second half gives a mixed feeling, where the Writer/Director was in hurry to tell and justify the character. Overall, Guru is a well made biography, though improvements, especially in the scripting could have been



done for better.

The movie begins where Guru Kant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) fails his exam and wants to go out to do a job. His father is a teacher and wants to see his son succeed in his studies, but Guru has no taste for studies. With a negative permission, Guru leaves his village and land up in Turkey. He worked as petrol can filler to chemical company assistant to Gambler. When he got a promotion as sales supervisor in the factory he was working and when the manager asked him to wear a tie, unlike others, he quit the job and decided to start business in India. His father has no confidence again and not helped him in any way. What he has is 15000 rupees. To get the rest of the capital he agrees to marry Sujatha (Aishwarya Rai) who earlier tried to run away with her lover, but her lover betrayed her. That was the beginning of the rise of Guru. His father always told him, not to dream because dreams will not come true, but he dare to dream and succeeded. The story now revolves around the business side of Guru where the relationship between Sujatha is developed nicely in parallel. One will be curious if the movie says anything about the children of Guru, but Mani Ratnam very wisely stayed away from it. The story ends where Guru establishes himself as the number one business establishment in India and announcing to the world that we are here to conquer the world's no 1 spot!!



Story is not credited for and Screenplay & Direction is by Mani Ratnam. The director brought best out of its cast and presented the story nicely . His selection of casts and location are to be specifically mentioned. However, the script could have been improved. There are many loose tags in the film, especially in the second half . While writing a script on a person or incident what the writer has to keep in mind is that it is not necessary to detail and justify all important incidents, but select a thread which will act as a core of the movie and work on it. Like his earlier biographical film Iruvar (based on MGR's life) this movie also gone descriptive to an extent in the second half. There are quite a few unnecessary characters with whom the main theme do not jell with and quite a few questions the script left unanswered. Other than that we should appreciate Mani Ratnam for his efforts.



Guru is an Abhishek Bachchan show all the way . Abhishek has grown as an actor and it shows. We can see the glimpses of genius in this show, where he will be a contender for best actor in 2007. Except in a place where he was supposed to have tears in eyes which he failed to generate naturally, the actor delivered a fantastic performance. Aiswarya is as usual delivers a fine performance. Vidya Balan and Madhavan gave what the script required from them. After Chingari, Midhun Chakraborthy delivers another fine performance in this film. Mallika Sherawat gives a hot number in Turkish background.



AR Rahman's music is averag e. The big AR Rahman magic is missing. Choreography by Saroj Khan and Brinda fails to make an impression. Though 2 songs (the dance number in Turkey and the song at the time Ash leaves Abhishek) were above average. Rajiv Menon, the Choreographer shot all the scenes with a natural background extremely well, especially the once in Athirappilly. The other shots are done okay. Editing could be improved.



There are certain scenes in the film which need special mention.
1. Abhishek's visit to Manoj


Joshi in the hospital.
2. Abhishek & Aiswarya's love scenes (including the one in the bed)
3. Madhavan tells his love to Vidya Balan. The kissing scene between Madhavan & Vidya Balan. (Oops! I didn't expect it from Madhavan!)
4. Abhishek dump all the polyster bags in the officer's house.
5. Abhishek's reaction to the news that he got twin daughters (Buy one, get one free. No, it is not boys, but girls)
6. Abhishek's reply to the enquiry committee.



The movie is very much for the elite audience. However, Mani Ratnam has added a lot of ingredients to make it tasty for the masses as well. The movie is a class one and masses has to decide whether they are going to shoulder it as well. Having said all these, don't expect a Roja, Kannathil Muthamittal or even a Dil Se, but a film of different genre and style.

FROM MOUTHSHUT.COM

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When you walk into a theatre for a Mani Ratnam experience, you go with certain pre-conceived notions and expectations in your mind. You know that ...

Mani, undisputedly one of the best modern story tellers of this country, consistently produces stylishly made movies that have a fairly strong storyline, or at least one that tugs at your heart strings (Nayakan, Roja, Bombay, Mouna Ragam, Anjali - it is a long list that would name almost all of his films) good music, (he gave us A.R.Rehman) good cinematography, (P.C.Sriram, Rajiv Menon are among the best) stunningly shot dances (can anybody forget Chaiya Chaiya?)


and you want the newest film too to



be nothing less that all of that. Can any artiste live up to that sort of hype and fulfil the expectations of millions of movie goers? Mani, to his credit, rarely disappoints. Let's see what happens in his latest movie GURU.

Mani Rathnam has made movies that belong to different genres - pure entertainment, relationship dramas, socio-political commentaries- and some of the best (Nayakan and Iruvar) have been those where he has borrowed freely from the experiences of those who have lived larger than life. GURU is said to belong to that particular category (borrow and issue a disclaimer) and this time Mani has looked at one man, who in many, and not always ethical, ways has changed the way India does business - Dhirubhai Ambani.


From polyester to petroleum and clashes with the government and press, there certainly are too many similarities to fool anybody, disclaimer or not. The movie follows Gurukant Desai who moves from his village to Turkey to make a living. After 7 years of hard work, Guru spurns yet another promotion to return to India where he can make the dreams in his head come true, and take the country also forward with him. His father, sceptical, and completely unappreciative, sneers at him, predicting failure.


These are the reference points of the movie - Guru has dreams of striking it rich, he wants to make a difference to his country, and the determination to do both is cemented by his father's scepticism.


The first half of the movie is practically flawless, if somewhat formulaic. There is the sizzling Mallika Sherawat item number, the meeting of a teary Aishwarya Rai, the discovery of who she really is, the setting of the stage for his future success - the way he negotiates the financing of his business is certainly a scene to remember- the serendipitious meeting with an upright newspaper owner, and the bashing down of the bastions of the rich powermongers who control Bombay trading markets.


Come interval and you are left wondering what else could possible happen to take the story forward. It seems like Mani too was a little unsure, after this strong opening, what to do with his baby. The movie wobbles towards a shaky climax where Guru has to face the consequences of his ambition, greed, and refusal to take no for an answer.


Gurukant Desai before a government enquiry panel - You frame the rules that make it necessary for me to sometimes kick somebody down, and at other times to salaam somebody else. I wanted to succeed, and I did all of this, And now you ask me why I kicked somebody down, and why I salaamed somebody else? When you think of the licence raj that effectively crippled Indian industry before Dhirubhai came along, it is hard to argue with this logic.

Mani loves to put rousing words in the mouths of his heroes. He did that in Roja, and he does that in Guru. It works when the subject is patriotism, and while one can appreciate the truth in the words of Guru's speech, it doesn't have quite the same effect when the subject is commerce.


The cast of GURU is peppered with minor characters, some of whom make a big impact with small roles - Roshan Seth, Aryan Babbar among others, and many more who do nothing for the story. Performances are uniformally good.


Abishek, though not very good at depicting a man with physical limitations, is excellent. His body language suits the character perfectly, and this makes his characterisation far more real that the expressions on his face. There are fleeting moments when he reminds you of his father - the bhang song for example. Mithun is surprising good (is this the man who donned ridiculous costumes to wiggle about mouthing lyrics as inane as 'i am a disco dancer'?) and a slimmed down Madhavan holds his own very well against the stars. Vidya Balan sadly is wasted in her role. Aishwarya proves once more that she can dance beautifully and look stunning, but that she can't act, even under the direction of a Mani Rathnam. Mani, who can afford not to fall prey to commercial traps, should have swapped her role with Vidya's.


GURU is a good film, but it left me feeling vaguely disappointed at how hollow and tame the second half is, and how badly dubbed the Tamil version is - it is hard to relate to people dressed in Gujarati costumes mouthing Tirunelvelli Tamil.


GURU is a movie about a hardworking man, about his dreams and his determination; about philosophies of both conviction and convenience, and as the story of such a man, it succeeds. Ignore the voice inside your head that asks - "That's it?"

Movie Review: Guru

Banner: Madras Talkies
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan, Vidhya Balan
Direction: Mani Ratnam
Production: Mani Ratnam
Music: A.R. Rahman



Guru - Jubilee of imagination and inspiration
IndiaGlitz [Friday, January 12, 2007>



'Daring to dream' is probably the larger motif of the movie Guru. In a sense, that has also been the underlying impulse of Mani Rathnam himself as he has dreamed into reel about the life and times of a man who had an outrageous idea and even more outrageous desire to make them into reality, come hell or high water.

If Gurukanth's chase of fantasy (to make it as a businessman) puts him and those who reposed faith in him on the path of riches, then Mani's own cinematic odyssey into the pioneering story of modern-Indian business world rewards us with an unforgettable experience of artistic entertainment.

A business missionary and a visionary, is what Gurukanth is. For him, no rule or norm is an impediment to the path of progress that he has charted for him, his company, which for him is also the metaphor for the newly emergent India.

Mani's genius lies in incorporating a cute and impish love into the broader ambit of an emotionless world of shares and supplies. Mani's other great success is in getting the best out of his team. It is Abhishek Bachchan who leads the pack with a show that is surely the best of his career so far. In a de-glamourised 'bania' look, Abhishek packs all the right punches in a character that is far more complex than the dandified exterior would otherwise lead us to believe. The Abhi-Aish chemistry is well known and needs no repetition here. But the sub-text of the duo's romance to the larger theme of a man with a mission keeps the film from slipping into the slipshod stream of stereotyped consciousness. And then there is A R Rehman. In Mani's company, Rehman becomes magical and his beautiful songs get an even more compelling contextual beauty. Rajeev Menon has the true 'eye' of Mani, bringing into images the ideas in the director's mind.

The story is obviously a takeoff from Dhirubhai Ambani's life and times. But that is just a starting thread. Using that, Mani's spins a yarn (just about the right term to describe about a story that is about success in spinning mills and polyester fibre) that gives a feeling of comfort and warmth.



'Guru' begins with the young Gurukanth (Abhishek) setting off to the arty and raucous Istanbul. In a sense, Istanbul proves to be what South Africa became eventually for the other great Indian dreamer ----Mahatma Gandhi ----- a seed of inspiration. Appropriately, Guru too invokes the ideas (though not the idealism) of 'Bapu' when he is towards the end pinned down by Indian authorities for transgressions of laws that are in the book.

Guru, though appreciated for his work ethic, is consumed by the desire to make his work come good for himself rather than waste it for others (in this context, the whites). So he throws up his job in Istanbul and comes down to his dusty hamlet in Gujarat. But here again, the roadblocks before the takeoff are many (parental disapproval, monetary dryness and a general small-minded approach).

Guru, who sees Sujatha (Aishwarya) in quaint circumstances, falls in love with her and marries her. But the bigger love is for the money that she brings along as dowry (it is a truth that he will come to face at an unexpected crossroad). This would be his opening gambit on a complex, chequered board of a game in which every coin is deemed a pawn by vested interests. Guru of course wants to be the king. He understands the system. More importantly, he understands men and their minds. He strikes up friendship, by chance, with a maverick press baron Mangaldas (Mithun Chakraborthy). It is what launches him into a tumultuous world and it is what holds him back later. It is an enigmatic relationship that even amidst the no-holds-barred fight, Guru is able to strike a beautiful and bouncy relationship with the multiple-sclerosis ridden daughter of Mangaldas (Vidya Balan).

The initial days in the market are hard slog and slugfest. Guru manoeuvres them all with commonsense and conviction. But he has to subvert the system (mind you, those were the times of license raj and quota rules). This is what gets the goat of the Mangaldas, an old-world journo, who, despite his outward brusqueness, likes to play within the rules.

What ensues is a high-stakes cat and mouse game with Mangaldas using his hotshot scribe Shyam (Madhavan) to dredge up details of off-the-book dealings of Guru. It is a fight between two equal enemies. Guru, despite playing by his own rules, wins popular support. It is on these crutches that he eventually hobbles out.



The story's strength is in the details that are too difficult to explore and experience in words and overzealous adjectives. But in Mani's expert eyes, everything parade out in a panache-filled procession.

In the end, the film is indeed a biopic, without the attendant dreariness.

Like all truly great directors, Mani says a lot when he doesn't say much. The story between the lines is what holds the attention as it is where the drama is…the action is.

For Abhishek, this is the performance of a lifetime. He lives the complex character of Guru with rare ease. Abhishek has managed to convey the underlying energy and enthusiasm of a businessman who romances the idea of being the best in the world.

The Abhi-Aish love story, cool and crisp at the start, grows up to be warm and wistful towards the end. It is a study in dignity and charm. Aishwarya, as ever, looks ravishing in song sequences.



Mithun brings to life a media baron who hides his essential simplicity and sweetness in practised roughness. Madhavan, as the howitzer journo of Mithun, flies into the target unerringly. His restraint, caught between the high-fire exchanges of two worthy rivals, is beautiful. Vidya Balan, in a weepy role, looks comfortable.

As ever, you have technical virtuosity all around in Mani's movie. Rehman's songs sound even better on screen and have been lovingly picturized by Mani and Menon. Be it Madurai, Istanbul or Karnataka, all places come out in alluring clarity.

The Hariharan ghazal just lifts you to heights that only monastery monks reach at their moments of high inspiration. Sreekar Prasad's editing is crisp. The belly dance of Mallika (in Istanbul) is a treat to eyes craving for aesthetic satisfaction.

So, is there nothing wrong with Guru at all? Like the man Guru, the film too has warts and all. But that is the charm of it. It is what adds the agreeable spice.

The dubbing voices all fit just perfectly. Suriya's full-throated backing to Abhishek is really splendid. The details of the story have not been lost in translation. For, what is narrated is a universal tale of human effort.

Mani has used all his sensibilities and sensitivities to unspool a tale whose drama lies in the men and not in their methods. Guru is unpretentious and doesn't labour to make a point. Affected artifices are not for him.

Guru is a study of a man who is not afraid to chase the rainbow of imagination. Guru, the film too, is a jubilee of imagination and inspiration.

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/review/8954.html

i expected a bit more coverage for mithunda's performance..in case some people dont know..he has won NATIONAL AWARD 3(three!)times!!i hope mani has done justice to mithun's role..

New York Post

By LOU LUMENICK
Rating:
January 12, 2007 -- MANI Ratnam's often absorbing "Guru" is sort of a Bollywood "Citizen Kane," a decades-spanning drama with a compelling Abhishek Bachchan as a ruthless Indian business tycoon who refuses to take no for an answer.

Bachchan plays Gurukant Desai, said to be closely based on the late Indian entrepreneur Dhirubhai Ambani, dubbed the "Polyester Prince," who rose from a modest background in the provinces.

Guru repeatedly clashes with business rivals, the press and government officials while building a textiles and petrochemical empire - not strictly abiding by ethics or the law in the process.

Resembling a lavish Hollywood prestige film of the 1960s, the story begins with Guru's struggle to break into Bombay's clublike textiles market in the 1940s and climaxes with the '80s trial of Guru - who has suffered a stroke - for flouting government trade quotas and stock-trading rules to build India's largest corporation.

The film is less successful in portraying Guru's marriage to the long-suffering Sujatha (Aishwarya Rai of "Bride and Prejudice"), whose dowry provided seed money for his business pursuits.

Gorgeous superstar Rai's several lavish musical numbers, while entertaining, seem to belong in another movie - and, with several subplots, help push the running time of "Guru" to nearly three hours, including an intermission.

assmasala review

My gaaawwwd what a brilliant film. Maniratnam has delivered again, I loved yuva.
a different subject, a different screenplay but a great film and thats nuthing differnt from a Maniratnam.

But GURU is Abhishek's show all the way. to say he is brilliant is underrating him. he's sensational. rarely do we see films where the lead character is etched out soo well. Abhishek makes Bachchan really proud. he more than lives upto his surname. Abhishek is wonderful thru out the film but these sequebnces stand out.

1. When ash comes to know Abhi has married her for money, abhishek's expressions are just superb.
2. The interval scene confrontation between Mithun and abhishek and the way he sees Vidya balan after the confrontation. Brilliant.
3. Abhishek crying on seeing Vidya balan on her death bed.
4. The sensational climax, he's dynamite in the last 10 mins. The fire we see in him is contagious. U just wanna give a standing ovation to the actor evoolved in abhishek.

Abhishek is gonna sweep all the awards next year irrespective of what n how others deliver. also a national Award wont be surprising.

Aishwarys atlast gets a good role and she performs brilliantly. Def. worthy of an award. mithun is very good, hes a brilliant actor and it shows. madhavan is also excellent. vidya balan is great but her character makes the film a li'l slow. others perfectly fit their characters.

The first half is very entertaining , the second half is a slow nd drags a little but the climax makes it up. mani again has shown his brilliance in screenplay. Its magic in the first half. but he falters in the second half.
Also one wonders how abhishek convinced the minister for getting the licence for the petro chemical industry. There are some glitches here and there but the overall impact is very positive.

Music is weak this time, but "Aey hairathey aashiqui" is used wonderfully in the background. But the background music rocks.

On the whole a great film to start 2007.

4/5

"Aaya Aaya GURU aaya, dhoom Dhadaka guru aaya"

I watched it Last night...

Abhishek has acted so well!...Seems like Aby Baby has finally arrived...and in what style...
He really got under the skin of the character

Kudos to the casting director who has done a wonderful job in choosing well for even the smallest of roles!!

Aishwarya shows some sparks as the village belle intially and I was ready to give her a benefit of doubt after her debacle of a performance in Dhoom 2 but slowly as the film progresses she settles into her " look good act wooden" avtaar...
Sorry Mani Ratnam...if u cant do it I wonder if anyone can...make her act that is! 😆

The story is known to all but the treatment has a stamp of Mani Ratnam all along
Another reason why its a must watch is coz of Mithun's potrayal of the newspaper editor...man this guy can act...wonder why he never really got his due in his hey days!!

The Vidya Balan- Madhavan track did not really add anything to main narrative...wonder why it was added??

Anyway...My recommnedation- go watch it for Abhishek