Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai August 5, 2025 Episode Discussion Thread
SATYAMEV JAYATE 5.8
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 06 Aug 2025 EDT
The Ultimate PotterHead Challenge
Dhanush And Mrunal Thakur Reportedly Dating
Abhira’s infertility issue
Anupamaa 05 Aug 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
SHIFTING BACK 6.8
Sonam Kapoor receiving the national award
What if (Fun Post)
Karan and Nandini Kids
AI reimagines Titanic with Bollywood stars
Rate episode 66: "Ekk Insaan Do Maut"
Ironically,Bachchan's chamcha gives it the worst rating...hmmm,well,this as the same guy who rated Umrao Jaan with 3.5 stars😆.Enough said about his tastes!Buy this review with a grain of salt!
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By Subhash K Jha
Guru
Starring Mithun Chakraborty, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan, Vidya Balan
Directed by Mani Rathnam
Rating: **
Polyster gets a silken treatment in the hands of one of India's most accomplished technicians and raconteurs. Thanks in no small measure to Abhishek Bachchan's career-defining performance Guru stands tall among the the techno-savvy films where huge stars have played gizmo-gorged title roles with cold clinical detachment.
Guru has a lived-in warm feeling to it. From the Gujarati village to Istanbul to the murky machinations of the business world in Mumbai….Mani Rathnam's wannabe tycoon travels the gamut of land and emotions with an astonishing spectrum of characters and situations to support the ambitions of both the protagonist and his creator.
"Don't be a dreamer," warns the ambitious Gurukant Desai.
We can't really accept that cynical reading of human aspirations…not in a film that comes from one of the greatest visionaries of Indian cinema.
Mani Rathnam has made it a habit to create new lyrical modes of expressing cinematic exuberance without going over-board. In Guru he again refrains from toppling over in excitement as he recreates the life and times of an industrialist who would go to any lengths to achieve his means.
In weaving in and out of what looks like a quasi-biopic, Mani also finds space to create a superb love story between Guru and his eminently supportive wife Sujata (Aishwarya Rai) who shares not only her husband's dreams but also some of his avarice for materialism.
When he buys her a much-missed swing in the city-home to give her a whiff of their village life Sujata pouts, "I thought you'd get saris and jewellery".
Ironically when she discovers he married her for her money, she pouts sulks and goes into a nostalgic love song that seems to owe its playful effervescence to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum…Dil De Chuke Sanam.
The songs (composed with dreamy disdain by A.R Rahman) are an exasperating nuisance. The long narration opens with Mallika Sherawat cavorting frantically in Kabul….and moves quickly to Aishwarya Rai in the village frolicking songfully in the rain.
Visually correct and compelling the two music-video images bringing together the two contrasting faces of seduction do not occupy any thoughtful spatial harmony.
Blissfully, a great deal of thought has gone into creating a dramatic conflict between the newspaper baron Manik Dasgupta (Mithun Chakraborty), his excessively upright deputy Shyam (Madhavan) and the acutely corruptible stalwart Guru who actually has the gall to compare himself to Bapuji (Mahatma Gandhi) in his rousing rhetorical finale.
"Forty years ago another man broke the law. We call him Bapu," argues Gurukant at the inquiry commission (visualized on the lines of Hollywood's A Few Good Men and other courtroom dramas) as Roshan Seth (compelling as the head of the commission) watches open-mouted.
Honestly! Integrity isn't obtainable in the selfconscious dialogues. Nor does the crusader-journalist's attempt to bring down the business tycoon ring completely true.
It's the Ash-Abhishek axis that gives a sublime spin to Rathnam's rhetorical raga of rags to riches.
Whether it was the Tamil Moun Ragam or the Hindi Bombay, marital moments have always been Mani's forte. This time too he infuses the sometimes-over-stylized visuals with wonderfully warm moments between husband and wife as they climb the slippery rungs of his dreams and ambitions.
While Abhishek goes with age-defying fluency from wild child to paralyzed orator, Aishwarya stands next to him with passionate grace. Together the couple creates an arching yin and yang. Watch Aishwarya's subtle play of defiant longing in the sequence where she jumps into the train taking away her away newly-married husband.
In the sequences where she communicates her paralyzed husband's ideas to sundry aggressive forces, her face registers every bit of the wife's determined devotion.
Abhishek moves with agile fury through every phase of his character's transition from dreamer to schemer. But you wish there was more of Mithun.
Madhavan's earnest performance is marred by an excessively idealistic characterization. Crusading journalism is all very fine. But marrying a girl with multiple-scleroris (Vidya Balan, wasted) seems more a sign of emblematic idealism than the real thing.
The visuals are unnecessarily manipulative. The kiss between Madhavan and Vidya Balan in the pouring rain makes you wonder which came first…the rain or the pain. Finally though, you're looking at a film which leaves your misgivings far behind and races towards a summit where manipulation is often confused with morality.
When Mithun as the newspaper baron orders his angelic deputy to go ahead with yet another expose on Gurukant Desai although he has suffered a paralytic stroke, you suddenly see what Mani Rathnam wants you to see.
There're no blacks and whites in contemporary life. There are the shimmering colours of romance and rage that you often crave for in real life and sometimes find in your movies.
Guru gives you the comfort of seeing idealism being subverted by the supple hands of creativity into a force that's at once intoxicating and tragic.
http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=13089
Guru- My Review
Guru is the story of ambitious villager who moves to Turkey first and Mumbai later with his wife Sujata [Aishwarya Rai] and brother-in-law Jignesh [Arya Babbar] to fulfill his dreams. And with his hard work, his quick thinking and mouth shutting talks, he becomes India's most powerful man, as the tagline of the film screams!!!
I don't know much about Mr.Dhirubhai Ambani's personal life. But from what I do know, Mani you gotta agree that the film is actually based on his life!!!
A film you can call- A just biography.
The film is in the 40's-70's time. The film opens with Guru speaking and the story ends where Guru establishes himself as the number one business establishment in India. He says: "Sapne mat dekho, sanpe khabhi sach nahiin hote, mera baapu kehta tha, par maine sapna dekha, Hindustan ki sabse badi company banne ka sapna…." (I hope I haven't messed up this powerful superb dialogue!!!)
I don't need to explain the film. I guess u go see a review of a critic for that. I want to share my views on the film.
Ok, let's break the suspense (I dun actually think there is any coz from the reviews…its evident what a film it is!!!)….
Guru is a film par excellence.
The pluses:
1. It s a Mani Ratnam film!
2. Powerful dialogues!
3. A.R.Rahman's wonder music (actually more than the songs---the wonder and apt background score)
4. Excellent make-up.
5. Very well etched characters with self dignity.
6. Superb sets and costumes fit for the time depicted in the film.
7. A superb cast with powerhouse performances from Aishwarya Rai, Mithun Chakraborty, Madhavan and every one else in the film!!!
8. ABHISHEK BACHCHAN!!!
There are many more…I feel these are the most important ones.
The minuses:
There is only one---A little bit of editing could have helped. Oh no—not trimming down the film. But some exaggeration of the younger Guru could have been avoided. But no, they don't harm the film's quality. So no worries!!!
The Directon- Excellent!!! But what less do you expect from Mani Ratnam??? After Bombay, Roja this is another milestone for Mani for sure. The maturity and expertise with which he has tackled such a complex film…man he proves himself one of the best of the directors of today. Though his Dil se disappointed me, Guru has done the counter trick!!!
The Music- A R Rehman-The best musical talent of today. I cant understand how he comes up with such different and beautiful music each tim. More than the songs, I loved the Background score the most which added to the film's intensity and power. The "Gurubhai Gurubhai…" and "Jaage Hain…" are just more than fantastic!!!
The Dialogues- Power and strength personified!!! Lolz…very interesting and superb dialogues delivered very well by all the actors, especially Abhishek's dialogues which he delivered so well!!!
The make-up- I havenot seen a better make-up in the last few years for sure. Mithun was given a very apt make-up and so was Aishwarya. Man…she looks so pretty in Sarees…!!! The best make-up was for Abhishek. One can't easily guess that he is actually only 31 years!!! I loved his make-up which was so natural and convincing. And of course, after all he carried his role with matching maturity.
Well-Etched characters- Every character had his/her own identity and dignity. Guru-as we know---The Guru of them all! He commands such respect!!! Mithun—and Independent man. Shyam (Madhavan) ---a devoted journalist determined to ruin Guru. Sujata---A strong wife-My personal favourite character of the film, actually. She was actually unimportant in the plot, but she was damn important in the film, in the life of Guru. During guru's hard times, does she even shed one drop of tear?? Oh No. She was strong. She knew he was strong!!!
The performances- Perhaps the most integral part of the film is the performances from the cast. Each and every performance special in its own way.
Madhavan- A simple journalist determined and hard-working. Madhavan carries his role well. Not that this is a difficult role. A role which anyone can do. But a role which Madhavan does very well. And btw, he does look cute and terrific…
Mithun- One of the very few great roles Mithun has to his credit. I strong and independent man for whom his paper's integrity and dignity is above all his relationships.
Mithun carries his role with ease. The scene when he asks Madhavan in which hospital was Guru is excellent. But you wish there was more of him.
Aishwarya- A lifetime role for Ash. A role which she has never done in life. A strong and dignified woman-She is the pillar of strength for her husband who supports him in all his good and bad times. The scene where she speaks to Guru just before he has the heart failure is really good. She tries to cheer him and ever after he gets the stroke she says " Guru, tum bas saansein lete rehna, main abhi ambulance bulati hoon…." She doesn't scream out or shiver like usual wives!!! And the scene when she says to Mithun that Guru is alive and in two months I will make him fit again to fight you is yet another memorable one. And of course, when she says in the court "I am the head of Shakthi Polyester" and the way she talks for her husband. Admirable work by Aishwarya. For the first time, I really liked her look and her very good performance. She will cherish this role for sure. She surprises you actually. She is the one who bowled me over with a performance I never expected from her.
And last and most importantly---The show belongs to Abhishek Bachchan- He just carries the entire film on his shoulders. Man…he is no longer a junior actor!!! With Guru, Abhishek has really taken a big leap into the line of one of the best talents of Indian Cinema. The way he immortalizes this role, perhaps only he could have done that in the current crop. With this performance, he shows that he has really grown and matured as an actor. Guru's was the most complex and difficult role of the film and Abhishek has evidently worked real hard and emerged with flying colours. With this performance he places himself above many of his contemporaries and even some of his senior artists!!! Some of his actions, dekhne ka andaaz, style and way of delivering dialogues dialogues is very much similar to Amitabh Bachchan's. In some scenes---believe me or not---I really felt I was watching the Big B!!! Of course, Abhishek in no means copies his dad, he has his own way of excelling.
His character, Gurukanth Desai, is a bullish businessman---he may be corrupt, but he is a great man. He knows there can only be one Gurukanth Desai. I don't know which scene to point out as his best. Each and every one is fabulous!!! Maybe, the point from which the story of the older Guru begins is where Abhishek has more scope of performing.
The court room scene just threw me back-AB baby…no longer a baby!!! His body language is superb!!!
The climax scene is yet another intense scene. And the scene in he hospital when Guru's twin children sing "Jaage hain…" and Sujata was tightly catching hold od him, the way Abhishek has acted in the scene---man!!! A small tear tickls down his face and they concentrate on his face mostl his eyes which seem to speak out his feelings.What an actor he is!!!
And the scene when he says to his wokers that he is going to open 4 more factories is very powerful!!! And when tells the enquiry members to prepare well for the cases against him---his self confidence was superb.
Also, when he comes to Shyam's house aand shouts at him but suddenly is silenced when he sees Vidya Balan there---Its fabulous and more!!! To add to this looooooooooooooooong list-the scene when he gets the heart stroke, the way he has acted-SUPERB!!!
And last but not the least- the climax scene which I mentioned above shows yet another powerful act of AB Junior.
And btw, don't I see him taking away the awards of the year? He is worth it!!!
It is actually difficult to pick my favorite scene because all are fabulous!!!
After a lot of speculation I have decided on the following 3:
1: The courtroom scene when Guru answers all questions asked to him.
2: The scene in the hospital when Guru's children sing for him.
3: The climax scene when he announces the Shakti Polyester is the biggest company of India.
I love many many more but I narrowed it down to these three…but the others are in no means less good!!!
SEE IT. It is A MUST-WATCH!!!
Rating: 4.8/5 (0.2 cut for some scenes which could have been avoided…and also…I don't think I can ever give 5/5 to any film but "You know which!!!")lolz…😳😆😉
(Sorry for such a looong review-I can't stop raving abou the film!!! Definitely the best film made in the last few years after Black👏👏👏)
Madhavan was the most impressive???😕man...he was very good..But Abhishek definutely was the most impressive👏
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