Guru

Guru is a Hindi drama film produced and directed by Mani Ratnam that was released in 2007. Mani Ratnam, a film-making genius, had already made notable films by this time and had a distinct storytelling style that allowed him to capture the attention of his audience through his humanistic depiction of his characters.

The movie stars Abhishek Bachchan in the title role and features an ensemble cast including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, R. Madhavan, Mithun Chakraborty, Vidya Balan, and Arya Babbar. This star-studded film's backbone is its stellar performances and brilliant character portrayals.

The film is set in India spanning from the post-Independence time to the 1970s and 1980s, a time of considerable change in India. The story is based on the life of a businessman named Gurukant Desai — played by Abhishek Bachchan. It showcases his journey from a small village in Gujarat to becoming one of India's most prominent industrialists in Mumbai.

The titular character, Guru, dreams of making it big in life and does not wish to succumb to the regular village mundane life. Despite the odds, he manifests his dreams through determination and hard work. This movie celebrates and explores the spirit of entrepreneurship and creates a canvas where it paints the transformation of India from a newly independent nation to a global commercial entity.

The film starts with Guru, a smart but below-average student in terms of traditional education. However, his astute understanding of the economy and his burning ambition to climb the ladder of success make him a unique character to watch out for. He moves to Turkey and starts working as a petrol station attendant, where he learns the tricks and trades of a successful business. After accumulating enough experience and knowledge, Guru returns to his village and gets ready to embark on his entrepreneurial journey.

One of the significant aspects of the film is Guru's relationship with Sujatha — portrayed by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Their relationship, which begins as a calculated alliance, evolves into a loving relationship between two supportive partners, leading to a deeply moving and profound cinematic experience. Rai Bachchan delivers a passionate performance, complementing the dynamics of Guru's character, his zeal, arrogance, and shortcomings.

Mithun Chakraborty's portrayal of Manik Dasgupta, a newspaper editor who becomes Guru's stringent critic and adversary, is one of the film's highlight performances. Their ideological clash forms an integral part of the narrative, giving an extra dimension to the story.

Besides its gripping story and stellar performances, the film stands tall, thanks to its music and cinematography. A.R. Rahman weaves magic with his music, and the songs beautifully blend into the film's narrative. The cinematography showcases both the rustic charm of the village and the bustle of city life, enhancing the visual appeal of the movie.

Guru is not just a rags-to-riches story; it is a journey of a man navigating his way through ethical dilemmas, professional challenges, and personal growth while chasing his dreams and pushing the boundaries of success. This film maps out a unique route that an ambitious capitalist takes to carve out his space in a post-colonial changing India.

Overall, the purposeful plot, excellent performances by the cast, the soulful music especially composed by A.R. Rahman, and the accompanying Oprah-worthy real-world wisdom make Guru an engaging, inspiring, relatable, and thoughtful watch. The film is not only a cinematic experience but also reflects upon the socio-economic and cultural shifts that were inevitable during India's developing years. By commenting on themes of ambition, power, love, and the spirit of enterprise, Guru has become one of the most significant films of its decade. It’s a thoroughly crafted masterpiece that blends realism with fiction, leavened with the right amount of emotion and drama. It remains as a touching film, worth watching for its portrayal of the human spirit's resilience.