WELCOME THE NEW ACTOR IN ABHISHEK
By Pankaj Shukla - Eye TV India Bureau
Critic's I-view
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Try and try again till you succeed. Or, putting it another way by borrowing lines of a famous saying in Hindi, even a fool becomes perfect by regular and continuous practice (...Karat Karat Abhyaas Ke Jadmati Hot Sujaan). Abhishek Bachchan for me has never been a great actor except for his performance in 'Yuva' and few other movies. We, the critics, put actors on Guillotine every Friday and declare the verdict. While driving to the theatre to watch first day's first show, I was talking with my colleague about the future of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan at the box office in 'Guru'.
I was of the opinion that Abhishek and Aishwarya don't get well on screen. They have failed in their last three films together, namely, 'Dhai Akshar Prem Ke', 'Kuchh Na Kaho' and 'Umrao Jaan'. To be frank, I had the least expectation from 'Guru'. But, all this changed when I watched the movie. I was witnessing a new actor taking birth on Indian screen, the same director did his baptism two years back in 'Yuva' and Lallan had now become 'Guru'.
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'Guru' is actually Guru Kant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan), a dreamer but he also knows how to make his dream come true. He defies set norms of village life. He fails to pass his matriculation exam but succeeds in life. He goes to Turkey to sell oil and when he gets a chance to become a senior officer he leaves for his hometown. To start a business he needs money and for this he marries a girl named Sujata (Aishwarya Rai) who once ran away from her home to marry a boy of her choice. 'Guru' now moves on in his life but bureaucracy shackles his very first venture. At this juncture media baron Manik Das Gupta aka Nanaji (Mithun Chakraborty) helps him by publishing his pains.
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Both of them develop a fondness for each other. Guru grows his empire and soon becomes a successful man. People feel jealous of his growth and he too isn't as true in his heart. He wants to get his goal by hook or by crook. Nanaji learns about Guru's misdeeds and asks his favorite reporter Sham Saxena (R Madhvan) to file a series of stories that will uncover Guru's illegal activities. An enquiry is set up against Guru but before that Guru goes through sever trouble. He gets a paralytic attack but his zeal to win keeps him floating even in his worst time.
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'Guru' is the finest example of story telling in recent times. A genius like Mani Ratnam had to succeed in Hindi cinema and he does this with 'Guru'. Mani's earlier two efforts in Hindi movies like 'Dil Se' and 'Yuva' had fallen flat. Abhishek Bachchan too till date had not been considered as a solo hero. Aishwarya was appreciated in 'Dhoom 2', but the audience never took her seriously post 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'. Mani Ratnam makes a team of misfits again and comes out with a marvelous film.
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The very opening shot of the film where we see Abhishek as an old man standing alone in a huge stadium sets the mood in motion. The sepia tone takes you back in time and Mani Ratnam sets his story in an era when India has just attained the Republic image. People may find 'Guru's story linked to uprising of Dhiru Bhai Ambani, founder of Reliance Industries, but Mani Ratnam has handled all such controversies amicably. Vijay Krishna Acharya writes dialogues that will be remembered for long and will also be spoken in day-to-day life.
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'Jab Log Tumhari Burayi Karne Langen Toh Samajh Lo Tarakki Kar Rahe Ho', is the best dialogue in the film. It has several other punch lines. Like Nanaji saying 'Apni Biwi Ko Bheekh Maangne Mat Bhejo'. There are scenes that show how Abhishek has now become a true actor. His handling of a story that spans three decades needs applause. The climax scene is ultimate but before that he excels in many scenes, like his first meeting with Aishwarya in train, his meeting with his would be father- in- law, his interaction with the young contractor, his confrontation with Madhvan at his place.
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'Guru' is Abhishek's film from scene one to the last. But in between this one sees some of the finest performances of Aishwarya Rai, Mithun Chakraborty, Madhvan and Vidya Balan. Aishwarya looks very beautiful in Indian attire, this I have written earlier too, and Mani has presented her as a Gujarati girl very beautifully. Mithun shows his class once again though after long. He along with Abhishek will certainly win many awards for his performance in coming days. Madhvan does his job well but it is Vidya Balan who makes you cry even in a short role.
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Mani Ratnam also brings back unison of Gulzar and A R Rehman after 'Dil Se' in this film. The duo has created magic. 'Jaage Hain Der Tak', Hamen Kuchh Der Sone Do' is ultimate and so is 'Dum Dar Dum Dar Mast Mast'. Bappi Lahiri seems to be getting new lucky mascot tag as a singer in 'Guru'. He sings for Abhishek in this film. Not many will remember that he has also sung for his father Amitabh Bachchan in 'Giraftaar'. 'Guru' is a complete film in all aspects.
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It has eye-catching cinematography by Rajiv Menon, excellent editing by Sreekar Prasad, eye-catching choreography by Saroj Khan and Brinda besides brilliant production designs by Samir Chanda. On the whole, 'Guru' is a winner at box office and it will break the jinx for Abhishek and Aishwarya as a flop pair. Also, it may set the much publicized and expected wedding of the duo in motion. This is to recall that it was the first hit of Amitabh, 'Zanzeer' that made him tie knot with Jaya Bhaduri, just a week after its release. Congratulations for the first hit of the year!
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