Guru is the story of Gurukanth Desai, a village boy from Gujarat who seeks glory and fame as a businessman, starting as a salesman in Turkey selling petroleum cans, and then coming back to India to ultimately create and lead India's biggest company. It's the story of his struggles against the prejudices of a newly liberated India against the "middle class", his fights against the license raj, his rapid ascent through means not always completely legal, his war against a "ethically minded" reporter who vows to bring him down, his showdown with a inquiry commission and loss of faith with investors, till he finally rises as a Phoenix from the ashes as the "Bapu who fought for the freedom of the middle class and the country against the government that tried to hold it back". And yes, you guessed it, it's supposed to be based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani!
The movie delivers in bits and pieces, but was generally a disappointment. The story lacks punch, that extra zing. Abhishek is good in the later parts of the movie, as the paralysis-striken 40-something Guru, but fails to bring across his vision and zeal in the first half in a role that would have perhaps been best played by the King Khan! Check out the way he laughs during the final scene in the stadium - the manic joy on his face comes across beautifully, and thrills with it's devilishness. Aishwarya - well, she is surprisingly restrained in the movie, and after Dhoom 2, is actually tolerable, when she doesn't dance or cry or start with her histrionics. Madhavan and Vidya Balan look lost and are completely wasted. Mithunda is a surprise - never thought he could act this well!
The best part of the movie is the cinematography and the period feel of the movie. Whether it is the kapada market in Mumbai with the quaint cars, or the Gujarat countryside, the smell and the dampness actually chills you to the bone! (Or maybe it was just the AC!) The Humdum theme song is beautifully done - and adds a lot of atmosphere to the movie.
Overall, a can-watch, but don't expect too much!
1 comment:
My take when I saw Abhishek's acting in the first half was also that King Khan could've done it better! SRK is simply great as the "dreamer".. He can literally make you wtch his dreams.. Really really Feel it! In the movie however, the lead is expected to look old and worn out for most of the movie.. SRK is better off looking like the young dynamic types! So on that front, I think Abhishek did a good job, not a Great one, but Quite Good!
Overall, the movie was OK! Didnt move me until much later towards the end! I think the relationship between Abhi and Ash is beautifully shown. Love the song Humdum..
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