Mani Ratthnam, like his previous movies - Roja, Iruvar, Bombay brings yet another semi-biographical ‘Guru’. Mani’s movies are generally based on a socio-political commentaries and biographies of larger than life people. The story of Guru is also one of them, and obviously takeoff from Dhirajlal Hirachand
Ambani’s life and times, (better known as Dhirubhai Ambani), irrespective of whatever the disclaimer may say. Similarly while the execution part of the story is clearly seems to be loosely inspired from Hollywood’s “Citizen Kane”.

Guru is a decades-spanning drama with a compelling Abhishek Bachchan as a ruthless Indian business tycoon who refuses to take no for an answer.

Updated Video: Guru Toronto Premiere & First Day First Show Report

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vidya Balan, Mithun, Madhvan
Rating:

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?). His genius lies in incorporating a cute and impish love into the broader ambit of an emotionless world of shares and supplies. So deos he able to spun a magical yarn this time too?

Yes !, he does.

Guru begins in a raw black and white mode 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 works as petrol can filler to a chemical company assistant to Gambler. When he gets 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 decides to a start business in India.

His father has no confidence again and doesn’t help him in any way. Ridden by financial crisis, to start any business he finds an alternative way to get a capital. 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. The eradication of license system, stock exchange manipulation, newspaper story cover-ups and more – the modern battlefield was just under construction. When called up by government for enquiry he gives yet another inspiring speech ;

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?

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 (like Big B in Zanzeer), where he will be a contender for best actor in 2008 awards. Aishwarya is as usual delivers a ok performance but gossip mongers will be disappointed to see NO ELECTRICITY between the hush hush couple. 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.

One of the major led down of this movie tough is AR Rahman’s music, nothing but just an average score. The big AR Rahman magical touch is definitely missing. Likewise, 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.

Mani has done his job above the expectation level as a director, but in the screenplay and editing department there is still enough room left for the improvisation.
Overall, Guru is well made movie with some imagination and more of inspiration and must say till date first and best tribute to Mr. Dhiru Bhai Ambani – a common man, who dared to dream BIG !

GURU - Toronto Premiere & First Day First Show Report