Guru is one of the most awaited releases of the year. It has a star studded line up comprising Mani Ratnam, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, AR Rahman and Gulzar. It is only normal for the audience to expect a masterpiece. But Guru flatters to deceive.
The story is the weakest link of the film. Guru is a biopic on the life of Dhirubhai. Movies spanning generations tend to be longer as it takes more time to tell a long story involving different charecters at different times and establish rapport between them. Sadly, Guru does neither. Its 150 minute running time sees it explore too many avenues and do justice to none. The movie starts in 1951, where Guru moves to Turkey. But what he did in Turkey, except dance with a raunchy looking Mallika Sherawat, we never get to know. You suddenly realize that he has earned enough money and acumen to set up his own business in India. And in 30 minutes flat he establishes a business empire. What, how, when? Dont know except that there is one Manik DasGupta (Mithun Chakraborty), a newspaper editor, whose articles lionize Guru and one Mr Contractor, a corporate who is the hurdle that Guru surmounts in his race for supremacy. Post Intermission, enter reporter Shyam Saxena (R Madhavan) who exposes Guru's shady acts. We suddenly realize that Gurubhai's empire has been built on the basis of fraud and corruption. We also realize that old friend DasGupta is now the biggest foe. When he gets tried for the corruption, Guru makes a seemingly heartfelt speech about how all he wanted to do was plain business and how the government and the bureaucracy, through tons of duties, licences and taxes left him with no choice but to swindle and bribe. But alas. The audience doesnt empathize because they are wondering: where on earth did the government come from, we thought that bloke DasGupta is the villian!
OK. So much for the basic plot. What about relationships? Mani Ratnam is very adept at handling relationships (watch Mouna Raagam and Alai Payuthey). In the start, there seems to be a very good chemistry developing between Guru and Sujata (Aishwarya). The subtlety of Ratnam is evident. But again, looks like his confusion took its toll and not enough time is given for their affiliation to develop. Also, the kind of relationship that Guru shares with DasGupta or his confidant Motabhai, we never get to know. Hence, when Motabhai and Guru interact after the former attempts a suicide, we dont feel for them as the bonding was never established. The love story between R Madhavan and Vidya Balan albeit looking good, was uncalled for and deviates from the basic plot. Many of the songs are ill timed and break the flow of the film. Abhishek singing to Rehman's voice is comical.
The performaces are allright. Aishwarya Rai as Sujata is very believable. Looks like she has lost a few pounds for the charecter. Mithunda as Manik dasGupta gives a strong performance. Madhavan as Shyam Saxena does justice to a small role, although at some points he lacks the punch that the role required. Vidya Balan does a good cameo. Finally, Abhishek as Gurubhai is good in parts. His performance until Guru gets paralysed is credible. But he is unable to carry off the most difficult part of the role, post paralysis. Also, his imitation of Amitabh every now and then is a let-down.
Rahman's music and background score are haunting. Tere Bina, Ae Hairathe and Jaage would be counted among his better compositions. Gulzar's lyrics are profound. You can't but hum the words of "Jaage" when you leave the hall.
Overall, Guru disappoints on many fronts. Hopefully Ratnam's next, 'Lajjo' with Aamir Khan would be better.
26.1.07
12.1.07
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