GURU - Review!

Prologue:
This is a movie made for professionals. When I say professional, I don’t mean it as IT or management profession. It is for the set of people who belong to profession called audience, who use statistical/non-statistical approach to do qualitative evaluation of the film. They are the true connoisseurs. For others it is a movie which can’t be understood in the first pass. Who ever has said Da Vinci Code is cryptic movie probably did not watch “Guru”. Mani Ratnam’s taking is clubbed with Abhisek’s acting to make it a class act.

Story:
Story is the base for many movies and a story based on a villager and illiterate and yet creator of biggest Indian company has its own charm in itself. In a country where Heroes and achievers are worshipped, a movie based on one of the most successful businessman is always received with awe. How ever it is loosely based on the real life story. It did not depict all the things the so-called hero has done and so GuruBhai still remains a hero. And some patch ups like Aiswarya Rai were added to spice it up little more. The director did not waste time show that Gurubhai is a gem of a man with abundant practical sense and audience are supposed to assume this. Also he chose not to show how crooked he is as it would create a controversy. No one needs to explain the great director how to show Mumbai as it was in late 50s, he has done it flawlessly. License Raj killed many entrepreneurs during first few decades after Independence and it is attributed to conservative and socialist nature initial national leaders. (Post 1991 is the time when economy became open and that’s why Manmohan Singh is widely respected as a visionary) But that is not good excuse to justify corruption Gurubhai introduced into the bureaucracy. Corruption, Manipulation of Stocks, misusing export/import laws, producing goods with out permit, lethal blows to competitors by using one’s power are not simple enough crimes that can be justified by saying “I am moving ahead and am taking the country with me”.

Performance:
Abhisek did justice to the role. Aiswarya Rai did justice to the role. (Even though some of the scenes looked as if they are depicting personal life of the actress, they were not awkward). It is nice to see Mithunda with out a pistol in his hand. At this old age he looked as if he has realized that pen mightier than pistol. J He did really well. Madhavan comes with the same cute trademark smile and has done well too. Vidya Balan looked cute. (Only thing I felt unnecessary was the kiss scene. Even though there are few people who appreciated it, it looked gross to me and did not turn out well.) Another man behind scenes who needs a mention is AR Rahman. His music did not help the film any way. It is as if loudly announcing “I can do badly too”.

Epilogue:
If you are looking for six songs, few fights and romance scenes, you need not think of this movie. If movies are relaxation for you, skip this one. If you are a true connoisseur who can appreciate the taking, here is the one for you. Watch it second time only if you did not understand it in the first pass.