So I saw Guru.may be it was the pleasant and charming company that made me sit up, see and take ineterst in the movie.but if one has to ask for my frank opinion.it is a bit of a disappointment considering that it is a Mani Ratnam *movie.
For whatever politico-personal reasons the opening screen says the mandatory’all resemblences to any person.blah blah.merely coincidental’ even the most uninformed will realise that it is biopic on late Dhirubhai Ambani *of’Reliance’ Industries.
Because of the golden egg of a story and his essential brand of cinematography and portrayal of characters Mr. Ratnam has a runaway clincher for the viewers.but.
If only Abhishek can shake off his efforts of trying to fit into Pa’s shoes(he never can and he shouldn’t even try), if only Aishwarya can garner a few additions to her range of emotions.till now she has four viz. a beatific vulnerable look, a pained damsel in distress look, a giggle a dime stupid shake of her head look and a standard model mugshot look. if only A R Rehman cuts down on number and give us maybe a few but magical creations that we know he is capable of. and IF and only IF Mr.Ratnam stops showing glimpses of Roza and Bombay in his recent movies.
Well.the above can be a very personal opinion.so readers need not get biased about the flick.It is definitely worth a one-time viewing and appreciating for the efforts put in by everyone to give us a glimpse on the life and times of our modern day Indian business magnate who could make such a huge corporate empire during his lifetime. He dreamt and believed that he could make it big and spared no scrupules and principles in making his dreams come true.
From a gas company worker.some say in real lige life he was a gas station attendent to start with.to bringing polyster to the country.challenged the then reigning textile giant’Bombay Dyeing’ .to delving in petrochemicals.he did it all and came up trumps.
His methods were questioned.are still questioned.but he silenced everyone by growing bigger by the day.and even the most sane know not to try and stop a tornado.it’s better to use it’s power and fly with it.rather than snuff it out.
Everyone benefitted.be it the powers he supported or the comman man who overnight became rich because he owned Mr.Guru’s company Shakti’s* *shares.
The movie stops short of Guru( Abhishek) setting up a petrochemical refining plant.*in real life the second largest grassroot level refinery in the world which put India in the petro refining map.the Jamnagar Refineries in Gujrat.
Back to the movie.
Abhishek.11 kgs and all.a good effort.but like I said.he must try and create a niche of his own.rather than ape Big B.
And somewhere Mani Ratnam seems to have gone a bit awry with his timing or was it the editor playing traunt.Guru grows up, does a bit of flourish in his business. then becomes father of twins and suddenly looks younger and minus the weight doing a neo-ethenic jig trying to exhibit his utter joy. Aishwarya.ah THE AISHWARYA.never ages till maybe the final scenes.and M Ratnam even has given her a opening spell of a long quintessential Rehman song *a la *’Choti choti aasha’ of’Roza’.
The bright sparks.
- Mallika Sherawat.( please don’t let her believe that she looks turkish) . doing an Indian version of a seductive belly dance in the opening scenes.a catchy song .and definitely a pleasurable viewing to the male eyes.
2.’Bhalo! Khub Bhalo’ spewing communist/socialist bengali firebrand editor played surprisingly well by an aging Mithun Chakroborty .
One should not doubt his abilities.Disco Dancer etc apart.he happened to land up a national award for’Mrigaya’ before he even had set foot in bollywood.
- Bollywood’s latest darling.the thinking man’s girl.beautiful Vidya Balan.who as the paraplegic/ struck with multiple sclerosis daughter of our rightous editor exibits a range of emotions while sitting on a wheel chair that can be acting lessons for Aishwarya.
The Dampner.
Definitely a few unwanted songs.