Jan 13, 2007 08:22 AM
1903 Views
Guru Bhai was India's first textile magnate who grew from humble origins and dreamt of setting up a factory that was bigger than Burma shell. He towered over Mumbai skyline with his polyester fabric that became the national fabric in a post-khadi, pre-globalization era. And Mani Ratnam takes up this 'inspired' tale to script and ode to this messiah of the middle class, who broke the rules, twisted the system, rubbished the red tape and raced ahead, with impunity. Mani has dared to present the top industrialist as a man who introduced corporate crime in the lexicon of Indian industry.
A man who bribed politicians, smuggled machinery, evaded sundry taxes and used people for profit, married a woman for the dowry. Mani shows Guru cared only about money, not people. Cinematically, the film is quintessential Mani. The frames are stupendous and wonder if hampi is so beautiful as picturised in rains and dances. AR Rehman and Gulzar create magic with melody. Abhishek puts his heart and soul into a dream role showing taking him toward a wizened adult. Aishwarya's role, though very limited is shown as a strong woman, who could throw the family for a man she loved, marrying a man she hated, caring for a person in bed as a wife, standing by his side as a 50% partner.
She speaks in her eyes in most of the scenes. She could have been better. Mithun is great performer and nice to watch him as a newspaper owner sticking to his principles and values of life. Vidya Balan and Madhavan have done their bit of justice with heart wrenching marriage proposal scene in the Mumbai rain. Though the climax is somewhat "thanda", the movie is every penny. Mallika Sherawat ignites the scene with foot tapping number. Background score is splendid. If you are a person who is just dreaming and doing nothing, watch this flick. This would make one to work towards the dream!
