As reports said, the film recalls Dheerubhai Ambani in giving nomenclature to lead character as Gurubhai and even his body language resemble the same. The essence of the film is given in three words as ‘Villager, Visionary and Winner’. It goes like a biography of a Winner that runs on 70MM screen.

Story:
The film starts at a village in Gujarat that dates back to 1951.

Gurukanth Desai (Abhishek Bachchan), marries Sujatha (Aishwarya Rai) a girl from his own village. He then moves to Mumbai to do business. After facing many ordeals and hindrances, Guru, a dynamic, shrewd and driving individual turns a Business Tycoon from a normal middle class village background. His money mindedness gives him drive and vision shapes his character and thus he emerges as a big doyen of industries in entire nation. He spreads his business, Shakthi Corporation everywhere and makes lakhs of people involve in his endeavors as share holders. Gurukanth turns Gurubhai!

Gurubhai turns bold, stubborn and breathes the pride of winning spirit. In the process he takes media into his control by shelling currency notes. Manik Das Gupta (Mithun Chakroborthy), who was a God Father to Guru initially, turns against to him due to mismatch of ideologies. Manik aka Nanaji is also an editor of the daily News Paper, ‘The Independent’. Manik Das, who goes in Gandhian way, uses Shaym Saxena (Madhavan), a New Reporter, to break the pride of Gurubhai by suppressing his illegal means of business.

Shyam Saxena, by all his means, collapses the business of Gurubhai. But still he fights back and stands as a winner once again.

Vidya Balan plays the role of Minu (also the daughter of Mithun Chakrabothy), the love line of Shaym Saxena.

Performances:
The film showcases the latent talent in Abhishek Bachchan by projecting him in a life size character. Abhishek Bachchan is at his best and shown varied histrionics to suit to the role. Only the character can be seen on screen leaving AB behind. He deserves huge accolades for his overall life size performance.

Aishwarya is very sensible, dignified and pleasant in the role of Sujatha.

Vidyabalan is really good in the role of Minu, a handicapped due to Central Nervous breakdown.

Madhavan is mediocre and Mithun Chakroborthy is balanced.

Mallika Sherawat’s item song goes on the line of belly dance while the tune sounds to be Arabic in nature.

Direction:
Mani Rathnam showed his unique talent in narrating a biographical picture of a business tycoon in the form of a fiction. He managed many challenges in his direction very shrewdly in technical aspects and proved little down in portraying that financial crimes are quite common and acceptable (it may not be convincing to logical heads as this ideology comes out from hero himself). A few scenes to recall:

· Titles in Typewriter · Managing with Abhishek Bachchan’s belly! That looked almost natural, although a mirror shot was used. · When Guru hits by paralyses · Vintage cars and depicting the atmosphere of 1960s. · Climax shot in Court and then in Stadium .

Music:
AR Rehman’s music marveled in this film and the chanting of ‘Gurubhai….’ fills the theaters with hysterical effect.

Other departments:
Production department worked really well and Cinematography plays very vital role in this film. Editing also deserves a good mention.

Analysis:
The film totally appeals the multiplex audiences. It’s like a biographical celluloid story that resembles the story of a business tycoon although the statement ‘All scenes in this film are fictional and if there is any resemblance to anyone living or dead, is only coincidental’ is rolled before titles. It is a showcase of performances as well. Abhishek, Aishwarya and Vidya Balan are at their best for the scope given to perform. Senior actor Mithun Chakraborthy did his best.

First half of the film goes with romance and little comedy. Second half goes with serious narration that deals with ins and outs of business, which turns a hard nut to crack for mass folks.

Mani Rathnam did his best in technical aspects but he implied that financial crimes are unavoidable and they can be welcomed! This revolutionary thought sounds meaningless for many and leaves a big ‘question mark’ for some at the end!