The movie is made on the fictional character of the 1950s Gurukant Desai an ambitious man, who pursues ruthless business practices, building his company Shakti Corporation into one of India's largest. Despite facing corruption accusations and personal struggles, Desai ultimately perseveres, proving his father wrong about the impossibility of dreams coming true.
Guru film was made at a budget of 22 Crore and earned a total of 83.07 Crore. Along with the box office success, the movie good response from critics. Check out the article below to know about Guru's cast, plot, review, and more.
Set in the 1950s in a small village in Gujarat, Guru follows the life of Gurukant Desai, a young man who dreams of becoming successful in order to prove his father wrong. After gaining experience abroad and marrying Sujata for her dowry, Gurukant moves to Bombay to start a textile business.
As his business expands into one of the largest in India, Gurukant's methods to achieve success are ruthless and dishonest. News publisher Manik Dasgupta, known as Nanaji, considers Guru a son while Guru thinks of him as a father figure and becomes close friends with his granddaughter Meenu. However, when Guru's unethical practices are discovered by Nanaji, he teams up with his reporter, Shyam Saxena, to expose Guru's corruption.
The stress from the allegations causes Guru to have a stroke, leading to paralysis on his right side. During this time, Meenu's health deteriorates due to multiple sclerosis and she eventually succumbs to the illness. Despite these events, Guru is later brought before a government inquiry to defend himself against the charges. He argues that the corrupt system left him no option but to resort to dishonest means to achieve his ambition.
Eventually, Guru is largely exonerated but is fined for two proven charges. The film closes with Guru asserting to his company's shareholders that his success proves that dreams can come true, contrary to his father's belief. Unfazed by the past, the shareholders resolve to make their company the largest in the world.
Release
The Guru movie was released on 12th January 2007 in the Hindi language. Along with the official release the movie had an international premiere at Elgin Theatre in Toronto, Canada on 11th January 2007. The movie made its premiere in the 2007 Cannes Film Festival's Tous Les Cinemas du Monde (World Cinema) segment.
Review
Guru is a compelling and well-executed Indian drama. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film impressively captures the journey of an ambitious villager aiming to make a big name for himself in the business world.
The casting of Guru is spot on. Abhishek Bachchan, who plays Gurukant Desai, delivers a powerful and convincing performance. His transformation from a young ambitious villager to a ruthless businessman is impressive. Aishwarya Rai as Sujata complements him well, demonstrating a strong character arc. Mithun Chakraborty's roles as Manik Dasgupta and Madhavan as Shyam Saxena also deserve a special mention for their exceptional acting.
Ratnam's direction shines throughout the film. His subtle handling of the script, the fluid narrations, and his keen eye for realism make Guru a standout entry in his directorial portfolio.
The story is both engaging and inspirational. The narratives are appropriately paced and build suspense and curiosity at all the right moments.
Although the movie doesn't rely heavily on animations or graphics, the filming and editing are superb. The cinematography beautifully represents the 1950s era and the transition to the modern age. The film editing ensures a smooth narrative and helps maintain a steady pace throughout.
Guru is not a slow film but rather a well-paced drama. It gradually builds up its narrative, giving enough time for characters to evolve and for the plot to thicken, making every minute worthwhile.
The film should appeal to a range of audiences. Fans of drama films and biopics, people interested in stories about entrepreneurship, or those who simply appreciate a well-acted and nicely directed film will enjoy this movie. It's a firm recommendation for anyone seeking a balance of character development, stellar performances, and a gripping storyline.
In conclusion, Guru is a moving, inspirational, and at times, harsh look at the realities of ambition and success, and is definitely worth a watch.
Critics Review
The New York Times: They found the film an entertaining, epic paean to the can-do spirit and capitalism.
New York Post: They awarded the movie three out of four stars.
Los Angeles Weekly: They heralded it as the best Hindi film since Lagaan (2001).
Richard Corliss from Time: Compared the film to Frank Capra's iconic, It's a Wonderful Life, and particularly highlighted the film's climax.
The Hindustan Times: The reviewer gave it three and a half stars, praising its closeness to life and overall realism. Ratnam, Bachchan Jr, and Rai were all highly praised.
Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama: Adarsh gave it four stars, claiming it's one of the finest films by Mani Ratnam, praising Abhishek Bachchan's exceptional performance.
Raja Sen from Rediff: Sen gave it three stars, impressed by Bachchan's captivating performance.
Daily News and Analysis: A three-star rating was awarded, feeling the movie managed to enthral for most of its run-time.
Sify: The verdict was Very Good. They praised Mani Ratnam's gutsy direction and the outstanding performances of the cast.
The Hindu: They found Guru to be vintage Mani Ratnam. They consider it to be Abhishek Bachchan's role of a lifetime.
Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN: Masand gave the film four stars, admiring Ratnam's unpredictable cinematic vision with special admiration for Rai and Bachchan.
The Sunday Times: They appreciated Bachchan's believable transformation and deemed it one of the best Bollywood offerings.
BBC Reviewer, Jaspreet Pandohar: Pandohar gave it a three-star rating noting a unique and complex weave in the protagonist's relationships.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan began her acting career with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Iruvar and is renowned for her roles in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Jodhaa Akbar.
Mithun Chakraborty debuted with the art film Mrigayaa for which he won his first National Film Award. He is famous for his roles in Disco Dancer, Guru, and Agneepath.
Madhavan marked his acting debut with the English-language film Inferno but gained fame through Tamil cinema. He is known for his work in Alaipayuthey, 3 Idiots, and Tanu Weds Manu.
Vidya Balan made her feature film debut with the Bengali film Bhalo Theko and is acclaimed for her performances in The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, and Tumhari Sulu.
Roshan Seth
Justice Thapar
Roshan Seth landed his first role in Peter Brook's film version of King Lear. He is known for his significant contributions to Indian and British cinema, including Gandhi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and My Beautiful Laundrette.
Mallika Sherawat debuted with a small role in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye, but her breakthrough came with the film Murder. She is known for her roles in Murder and Pyaar Ke Side Effects.
Sarita Joshi started her acting career in Gujarati theatre. She is best known for her roles in popular television serials like Baa Bahoo Aur Baby and Saat Phere.
Sachin Khedekar made his debut in the film Jeeva Sakha. He is known for his roles in Astitva, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero.
Prathap K. Pothan made his acting debut with the Malayalam film Manjil Virinja Pookkal. He is famous for his roles in Meendum Kokila, and Kadalora Kavithaigal.
The protagonist of the film, Gurukant is a driven and ambitious young man from a small village in Gujarat who dreams of making it big in the business world. He is willing to take risks and defy convention to achieve his goals, but his relentless pursuit of success also leads him to make questionable ethical choices. Throughout the film, we see Gurukant's transformation from a determined underdog to a powerful and influential businessman, but we also witness the toll that his pursuit of success takes on his personal life.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Sujata Desai
Gurukant's wife, Sujata is a supportive and loving partner who stands by him through thick and thin. She is also a strong and independent woman in her own right, running her own successful dance school. Sujata provides a moral compass for Gurukant throughout the film, reminding him of the importance of honesty and integrity, even as he becomes more ruthless in his business dealings.
Mithun Chakraborty as Manik Dasgupta
A newspaper editor and Gurukant's mentor, Manik is a wise and respected figure in the world of journalism. He recognizes Gurukant's potential and helps him navigate the complexities of the business world. Manik is also a voice of conscience for Gurukant, challenging him to think beyond profits and consider the impact of his actions on society.
R. Madhavan as Shyam Saxena
Gurukant's friend and advisor, Shyam is a loyal and trustworthy ally who helps Gurukant start his business and guides him through the challenges he faces. Shyam is also a voice of reason for Gurukant, urging him to be cautious and ethical in his business dealings, even as he is tempted to take shortcuts.
Mithun Chakraborty as Nanaji
Gurukant's father, Nanaji is a hard-working and honest man who runs a small grocery store in their village. He instils in Gurukant the values of hard work and perseverance but also warns him against the dangers of greed and corruption. Nanaji serves as a reminder of Gurukant's humble origins and the importance of staying true to one's roots.
Behind The Scene
Check out the above video to know the making of the Guru movie. The video mentions the story of the movie, and how the movie was made. You'll also know how the songs of the movie was composed and shot.
Guru is a powerful and inspiring biographical drama that tells the story of a man who defies the odds to achieve success and prosperity. The film is masterfully directed by Mani Ratnam and features a talented ensemble cast, including Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Mithun Chakraborty. It is a cinematic masterpiece that offers a powerful message about the importance of integrity and the pursuit of success. It is a film that will stay with audiences long after the credits roll, inspiring them to reach for their own dreams while staying true to their values.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Guru about?
Guru is a biographical drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, released in 2007. The film tells the story of a young man named Gurukant Desai, who comes from a small village in Gujarat and dreams of making it big in the business world.
Who directed Guru?
The film was directed by Mani Ratnam, a critically acclaimed Indian filmmaker known for his works in Tamil and Hindi cinema.
Was Guru movie hit or flop?
Guru was a commercial success, grossing over ₹83 crore worldwide.
What are some of the themes explored in Guru?
The film explores themes of ambition, perseverance, determination, and the costs of achieving one's dreams. It also touches on issues related to business ethics and the impact of entrepreneurship on society.
Where can I watch Guru?
Guru is available to stream on Netflix.
Who stars in Guru?
The film stars Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role of Gurukant Desai, with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, and R. Madhavan in supporting roles.
When was Guru released?
Guru was released in India on January 12, 2007.
Did Guru win any awards?
Yes, the film won several awards, including six Filmfare Awards, three National Film Awards, and the Zee Cine Award for Best Director.
What languages is Guru available in?
The film is primarily in Hindi. It is available with English subtitles for international audiences.
Is Guru movie based on Ambani?
Speculation had been rampant suggesting the movie was a biographical account of industrial magnate Dhirubhai Ambani. However, director Mani Ratnam debunked these rumors, stating explicitly that the film was purely a work of fiction.
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