2007 Movie
Dir. Mani Ratnam · India · English, Hindi
A humble villager transforms into the nation’s top industrial tycoon in this striking drama
When a man does things so different that it shifts the industry of an entire nation, but gets accused of shady business practices to get there, it can be tricky to create a compelling narrative to depict a complex man. It’s probably why Guru, suspected by most to be a depiction of one such polyester textile tycoon, is said to be fictional. But it’s also why while the first half is a dynamic, inspiring rags-to-riches story, the second half struggles to create a cohesive message. Still, Guru holds excellent performances, especially that from the film’s leads, and in writer-director Mani Ratnam’s hands, these performances are captured beautifully, scored wonderfully, and weaved into such a striking and memorable drama.
A villager, Gurukant Desai, arrives in Bombay in 1958, and rises from its streets to become the biggest tycoon in India.
"Strongly cast, long-limbed yarn contains some of Ratnam's best stuff in its first half but script weaknesses mar the later going and film's overall impact."
— Derek Elley
Bombay, 1958. After studying abroad, small-town villager Gurukant Desai returns to the country to become the biggest tycoon in Indian history, in spite of his father’s lack of belief in him.
A. R. Rahman’s impeccable soundtrack, and the incredible dance scenes paired with it.
Can we say Guru is a genius or a thug? I can't really decide, but it was just so cinematic that the long runtime really flew by.
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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