Guru

This is Abhishek at his best. Loved every minute of this historical film loosely based on one of India's greatest industrialist rise to greatness. I would recommend that anyone interested in the rise of India from a developing nation to a competitor with first world countries and economies watch this film and learn about the indomitable spirit of India. Great acting, great story; very inspiring!

I am not a Hindu but I loved this movie - If you are a romantic and like fun movies this one is for you,

This is a hard one to review. For one thing I couldnt get through it and bounced between fast forwards to see if it shifted.It depicts years from 1951 onwards with the movie quality of the day for effect. So the film texture and colour emulates the old and there are lots of little breaks in movement if someone is running for instance. They really achieved the look of the times but I found it alienated me fro the emotion presented. I'm not an arthouse fan but filmies may well find a lot to like in this movie.It is a sociopolitical piece that has a realistic, almost documentary feel about it. There was one review up when I wrote this and I refer you there for more of the plot. Unfortunately I didn't get to the bit about India riding on the coattails of the West. That may well be so and I as a Westerner support them finding their own way differently. However the early bit showed more that their own corruption and egos may be as much, if not more, of a challenge in turning things around. Not that they are the only country with those challenges!Abhishek does what may be his best work to date in the movie and the tenderness and chemistry between be and Aishwarya are palpable.Unfortunately the subtitles were unusually a problem. The grasp of English wasn't as good as Indians usually have it. Many of the subtitles made no sense, substitutes vaguely similar looking words like 'league' for 'luggage' so often I was working hard to decipher what was being said rather than absorbing the movie.I found one or two memorable songs but it's not really a song and dance movie. The dances are more traditional in style (in keeping with the era depicted).So I didn't relate nor find it powerful as advertised (but would have liked to as it is obviously well executed in many ways). I have a Sri Lankan friend who recommended it and she usually only likes light and fluffy romances with no violence. So will you like it? If you are into Ab and Ash you'll want it and if you like arthouse there are things to explore. If you like realistic sociopolitical stuff or are interested in India and its history it may be for you.I wished I could have got into this more (and understood many of the subtitles). I'm giving it 4 stars for creativity, thoughtful execution and fine acting- and because it is probably an important sociopolitical movie for those that enjoy that. Unfortunately my enjoyment of it wasn't at that level but I don't want to dissuade viewing of this on my taste.

One of the finest ever Indian movies, with superb performances by Abishek Bachchan, his future wife Aishwarya Rai, and above all the great Mithun Chakraborty. You will not be the only one to want to watch it all over again. Crying is optional.

While actor Abhishek Bachchan might seem like a natural to play romantic heroes, given his looks--and he's usually cast in that type of role--he does his best work when playing unconventional, even unlikeable, leads--for example, his exceptional portrayal of a thug in 'Yuva' (2004). His turn in 'Guru' as a business tycoon with slippery morals is likewise one of his finest performances. The film chronicles the rags-to-riches rise of his character, Gurukant Desai, a poor Gujarti boy who goes first to Istanbul and then to Mumbai to make his fortune selling textiles. He's not book-smart, but he's a savvy hustler, and he gets ahead the only way a common man can--by bending the rules. His arrogance and ambition take him far, and he eventually becomes the king of a polyester manufacturing empire.'Guru' also marks Bachchan's first successful pairing with actress Aishwarya Rai, whom he starred opposite in such weak films as 'Dhaai Akshar Prem Ki' (2000), 'Kuch Naa Kaho' (2003), and 'Umrao Jaan' (2006). Perhaps it's no coincidence that this was also the first time the two worked together while dating in real-life. (They reportedly became romantically involved during shooting. The couple married four months after the film's release.)Rai is the bigger star of the two, but Bachchan outshines her in 'Guru'--only slightly though. Despite Rai's extraordinary beauty, she manages to pull off playing an ordinary woman whom no one wants to marry (!). Her character, Sujata, is a disgrace because she tried to elope with a man who stood her up. At the beginning of Guru's quest for success, he offers to marry her as a favor to her brother, who is Guru's friend and future business partner, but unbeknownst to Sujata, Guru really only wants her dowry for startup capital. The newlyweds soon realize they're kindred spirits: Sujata is as willful and defiant as Guru, and they both want more out of life than what they grew up having. Their shared dreams become the basis of their budding love.But Guru's challenges at the bottom are more interesting than his problems at the top, and the energy, hopefulness, and heroism of the first half fizzles in the second. In addition, the plot becomes somewhat confusing because of underdeveloped characters. Manik (Mithun Chakraborty), a newspaper editor who championed Guru when he was an underdog, turns on him with little explanation. Shyam (R. Madhavan), a reporter who's obsessed with exposing Guru as a fraud, is grossly unethical himself. Manik's granddaughter Meenu (Vidya Balan), who becomes involved with Shyam, doesn't serve any purpose in the story. Finally, the film raises interesting questions about business ethics in the beginning, but fails to reach any satisfying conclusions by the end. Still, 'Guru' succeeds modestly as an epic about a challenging subject--a textile entrepreneur--and gets points for originality.- The Bollywood Ticket: The American guide to Indian movies (Subscribe: The Bollywood Ticket)

First forget that its based on whom and what? thats not needed to see this movie. It has every thing a good movie needs to have. Casting, music ,cinematography, above all a great subject, that is still relevant.Its a story you may or may not think is great. But its a story that was told in great way. Don't try to judge, you can't judge something practical with something that is theory.If you want a movie that can project life-spectrum in another angle, here it is.What I can say is DON'T MISS IT.

Guru (2007) (Hindi Film / Bollywood Movie / Indian Cinema DVD)When one believes in himself and others who believe in you as well you can accomplish many things. To strick out on your own and not work for someone else after a while takes courage. There were odds against him and serious challenges confronted by main character. He dug deep and did not give up and fulfilled his dream. This movie I will watch many times more than happy I purchased it.