Indian Movies take a plunge in Festival De Cannes
The 60th Cannes Film Festival in the land of Sun, Sand and Cinema is going to be a refreshing spot for Indian Movies. The festival started yesterday and will continue till the 27th of May. Several Indian movies are making their presence felt at Cannes this year.
Seven of them in different Indian languages will feature in the “Cinema of the World” section on May 19 and 20. The seven include, Malayalam film Saira, Tamil film Veyil, Bengali film Dosar, English film Missed Call, art-house Hindi film Dharm and popular Bollywood hits Lage Raho Munnabhai and Guru.
For small time filmmakers who can not afford huge marketing campaigns, Cannes is a yielding platform to get international buyers. More than 100 Indian Films along with their Indian entertainment companies take this opportunity to promote their movies.
The marketing section will also have Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Jodha-Akbar”, Anurag Basu’s “Metro”, R.Balakrishnan’s “Cheeni Kum” and also John Abraham starring movie “Goal”.
iDream Productions will act as sales agent for the Indo-US film Karma, Confessions and Holi starring Sushmita Sen and Naomi Campbell. Kaleidoscope Entertainment is expected to unveil plans for their ambitious Mahabharata trilogy which Mani Ratnam is likely to direct.
Apart from the films actors from Bollywood- Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta, Bipasha Basu, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Irfan Khan and Paresh Rawal will sizzle on the red carpet. Let us hope that soon we will have a nomination and an award won at Cannes.
Mani Ratnam’s Guru- Movie Review:(part 1)
Last evening I was in the theatre lounge, with the tickets for the 7:30 show for GURU, trying to anticipate what would the movie be like. But by the time I entered the hall my head was blank and ready for the experience. Now, it’s highly exercising to empty your brain from the reviews that were prolifically written on the movie. Not that I was completely successful to forget them but surely I had no prejudiced view towards any aspect of the film. And the feeling that I had while stepping out of the hall was that of a pleasant experience with no great frustration of having seeing something really unpardonable and with no great admiration towards the movie (which would have made me go gaga about the movie). What was there was a genuine appreciation of the efforts seen on screen and a critical bend that would probably not crucify but point out the defects in the movie. Overall it was an experience worth having, in fact a must have experience for ‘good cinema’ lovers.
Storyline and Plot:
Storyline, as everyone knows, is the fictional version of a real life story inspired by Dhirubhai Ambani’s life. Some say that the inspiration, which was called sketchy by the director himself, was quite apparent. But I feel that the movie has got all the elements (which are part of every good plot, so why the comparison) that a protagonist needs to be a hero- A rival to confront, a press or a court to answer, a mob to favor or be against, a dutiful and strong wife, well-wishers who never question and a strong trait of character that brings the person to the status of a hero. The plot has only one great difference from that of a ‘Tragic Hero’ and that is… Mani’s Gurukant Desai is a ‘Bollywood Hero’ who never fails, but never the less a well portrayed one.
The screenplay is not a well crafted one and the plot doesn’t have a graph. The movie doesn’t pick up pace anywhere but still maintains not loose the one with which it started. But still the audiences are cued because the storyline is Guru himself, his gestures, words and action. The movie is solely on Gurukant Desai’s shoulder and the interest is retained because Guru remains a mystery to the audience- they leave the hall with a feel of not having known Guru completely and that’s the reason why the end doesn’t come as a culmination of the movie. The movie could as well have a sequel!
Review continues in part 2…
Mani Ratnam’s Guru- Movie Review:(part 2)
Casting and Characters:
Mani Ratnam’s cast always surprises and Guru is no different. He chose the most unpopular ‘jodi’ for chemistry on screen and transformed it into a ‘Roja’ level chemistry. Of course it is hats off to the director.
The person whom you see as the protagonist is the character Gurukant Desai and not Abhishek. Good effort by Abhishek and surely his best and unique performance till date. This man has finally proved that he has got the voice, stature and attitude to carry off a character and not just a role! And he very well reminds of Amitabh Bachchan’s antics occasionally (Of course it comes naturally to a son)!
Mithun Chakraborthy, no mention about his performance as I do not consider myself even
eligible to comment on his performance. Only thing I can say is that I lived the character as he glided through his performance with so much ease. Aishwarya stands tall and distinct even when Guru steals the show. She is a director’s actor for sure. Same is the case is with R Madhavan. He makes his character completely comfortable before the towering Guru.
Vidya Balan is completely unnecessary to the film. May be the director brought her to bring out the softer side of Guru but frankly, Guru doesn’t need such a character to show his softer side! Utter waste of a good actor. Arjan Bajwa (Arzaan Contractor) comes as a boom and disappears into thin air even before his character is defined properly. Same is the case with Aryan Babbar (Jignesh bhai). Roshan Seth (Judge) is very impressive.
Technical aspects:
Again no mention about the sumptuous visual treat given by Rajiv
Menon, surely reality looks beautiful but so beautiful…I could never comprehend that! The camera takes Guru’s view in the first half of the movie and then distances from the character as a third person eyeing on Guru. And that’s why the shaky shots in the beginning of the movie and finally the camera matures and becomes steady towards the end. Excellent transition at major junctures- 1) when the young lad ‘Guru’ grows up and 2) towards the end when the figure of Guru initially looks morphed to the background and later gains depth to show the crowd.
Dialogues-
Amitabh Bachchan’s famous one liners are still intact in everyone’s memory and from now on Abhishek would enjoy a similar popularity with Guru. Vijay Krishna Acharya has definitely made Guru speak sense.
Music-
Apart from Mayya Mayya, Ai Hairathe, Barso re and Jage hain, the other songs are completely unwanted and they disturb the flow. Background score is not for the story or the scenes that follow but it works as Guru’s temperament and even goes sinister when the situation is of disappointment.
Director’s part:
A few observations for the director’s part
• Vidya Balan’s cast was unnecessary
• The huge importance given to characters portrayed by Madhavan, Mithunda, Arjaan Bajwa and Aryan Babbar fades with no particular purpose.
• The smooch scene between Madhavan and Vidya had no beauty, which is very unlikely of Mani Ratnam.
• There is no graph in the pace of the movie. The screen play could have been tighter.
• Chemistry between the characters seem very natural and are portrayed well. Brave casting.
• Not his best movie
The movie is a hit not because of its script but because of the treatment. The characters stand out and the Gurukant Desai looks real. The anticipation that runs through the movie is not that of how the movie will end but rather how Guru will react or defend himself in such crisis. That’s why the audience will come out of the theatre wanting to have more of Guru as they are left curious about the character even after the movie ends. Every frame of the movie gives a soothing effect and the background score blends very well with the character of Guru and his actions.
Mani Ratnam’s Guru- Box Office review
A few critics said that Guru’s Box Office earnings increased in India with the announcement of Abhishek-Aishwarya engagement. But the overseas Box Office reports suggest that the excellent performance of the film in North America must have added to the excitement of the much awaited wedding.
First time Abhishek tasted immense success without sharing it with superstars like SRK and Hrithik. Mani Ratnam’s Guru grabbed $840,000 in three days in North America, and has reportedly become a hit in the UK too. Guru grossed about $35,000 more than SRK’s Don took in North America in spite of the fact that Don opened in a record 113 theatres while Guru was shown in only 70. The weekend gross could have been 3 percent higher but for the complimentary tickets given at two venues in New York. It is the first big hit for distributor Adlabs, a new player in North America. Its Jaan-E-Mann, Vivah and Umrao Jaan hardly registered at the box-office. Exhibitors believe Guru could end its run with over $2 million. It could climb higher if the weekend in Chicago, New York and Toronto isn’t freezing. Now that’s a thumbs up for Mani Ratnam and the golden couple.
Mani Ratnam’s GURU review by Amitabh Bachchan with Guru Wallpapers
The King of Bollywood, Big B saw the film Guru last night and gave his verdict on the film. Read it and have a feel of how the much awaited Guru is. Also catch Guru Wallpapers.
The legend says, “Yes, I saw Guru last night and I’ve asked to see it again today and I shall want to see it a 100 times over. It is Mani’s best. And I speak as a viewer, not as a father. I have held myself back on many an occasion from commenting on my son’s work, but this time I shall not. To hell with niceties and restraint. Abhishek is incredible! I have been choked with emotion ever since I have emerged from the theatre and still am. This is a role of a lifetime for him and he has given a performance of a lifetime.
It’s a role any actor worth his salt would die for and it’s a performance that any actor worth his salt will envy. This is the truth, because it comes from within. For someone so young to have performed the way he has, is a revelation. It is the culmination of his strife to prove himself in the face of continuing odds and innuendos. And it is ironic, so ironic, that this is what Guru is all about. The determination, the will and the strength of a common man to succeed in the face of unending obstacles and his courage of conviction, to emerge victorious.
You’ve never been like this before! My father wrote in his biography ‘When a father loses to his son, it is his greatest victory!’ I’ve lost to my son! And I’m the happiest father alive! As for working with Mani, I called him last night after the showing and told him, ‘Now that you have made my son’s life, could you make mine as well, please?’ I don’t wish to foresee anything for myself in 2007 now. I have already foreseen what I want to see, last night!”
Mani Ratnam’s Guru Movie Preview Podcast
The biggest and most awaited movie of the year is up for release tomorrow and therefore i bring you the predictions and news bits from the Mani Ratnam’s Guru
Mani Ratnam’s Guru- Gallery
Download Guru pics free. Take home the saga ready to unfold!
GURU speaks through Abhishek Bachchan
I can remember n number of Amitabh Bachchan’s dialogue from Zanjeer, Deewar, Sholay, Namak Halal, Lawaris and many more films. Not just me any one for that matter and that is why he is Big B. But this time around even Jr. Bachchan is sure to have such an honor because of his most expected Film Guru. Mani Ratnam has made sure Vishal Krishna Acharya pens down the best for the period film hero. Dialogues that suggest time and stays strong time and ever! Taste a little of the treasure in store for you from Mani Ratnam.Guru: Agar aapko mera kaam achcha lagta hai aur woh gora bhi yahi samajtha hai toh phir main us gore ke liye kaam kyon karoon, khud ke liye karoonga.
(If you like my work and so does the white man, then why should I work for the whites? I will work for myself.)
Aapne bambai ko club banaa rakha hai. Yahaan yeh nahin aa sakta woh nahin aa sakta. Bas suit pehenke chal aur angrezi mein baatein. Bambai ko kutta bana rakha hai aap log ne, kutta.
(You’ve turned Bombay into a club. This one can’t come in, that one can’t come in… just wear a suit and talk English…. You’ll have turned Bombay into a dog.)
Abhi abhi bambai aaya hoon. Dhang se jhoot bolna seekha nahin abhi tak.
(I have just arrived in Bombay. I haven’t yet learnt how to lie properly.)
Agar kanoon ek din mein bun sakta hai toh ek din mein badal bhi sakta hai.
(If a law can be created in one day, it can also be changed in a day.)
“Nahi” shabd samaj mein nahi aati mujhe.
(I don’t understand the word “ no”)
Hmmm. Chalna kaun chahta hain, main toh daudna chahta hoon.
(Who wants to walk… I want to run.)
Yeh race hai aur main jeetne ke liye bhaagta hoon, sair ke liye nahin.
(This is a race and I run to win, not for leisure.)
Duniya mein har tarah ke log hote hain — aur har ek ki keemat hoti hai.
(There are all kinds of people in this world — and everyone comes with a price tag.)
Bada socho aage socho aur tez socho.
(Think big, think ahead and think fast.)
Public se kya darna, Main khud public hoon.
(Why should I be afraid of public? I,myself, am the public.)
Aishwarya dead against Mallika attending Guru Premier in Toronto
Mani Ratnam’s Guru premiers in Toronto, Canada. The film’s world premiere is on January 11 at Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre, where most Hollywood films open. The man behind the show is Canada-based Indian, Roger Nair, who has acquired the Canadian rights of the film from Bobby Bedi’s Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
But Mallika Sherawat and Vidya Balan are not in the list of invitees for the premier. Reason…the same one that made the music launch of the film go without Mallika. Well our lead lady in the film- Aishwarya doesn’t want Mallika hogging the lime light- either with her loud mouth or with her skimpy clothes. Rai’s troubles with Sherawat began a couple of years ago when the latter said, “Let Aishwarya Rai cover her face first, then I’ll cover my body.”
Not just that Sherawat threatened Ash that she would overshadow Rai at last year’s Cannes International Film Festival, where the two were promoting their films, The Myth and Provoked respectively. The reason why Vidya is not invited is still under cover. Ladies please don’t invite unnecessary vibes for a splendid movie like GURU. These catfights do not suit Ash, is she really so insecure that she fears Mallika will steal the show?
Mani Ratnam’s ‘Guru’ premieres in Toronto!
Now this one should’ve been written by Sowmya but what to do… the dame is too lazy to work on Sundays 
Mani Ratnam’s ‘GURU’ is soon gonna be premiered – in Toronto! The city, which is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, is proud to announce the arrival of the Abhishekh Bachchan & Aishwarya Rai starrer…
So January 11, 2007 is the big day when the Canadians in Toronto will see Bobby Bedi’s venture at the Elgin Theatre!!! Talk of Bollywood going from strength to strength huh 
By the way, if insiders are to be believed, the movie is predicted to be one of the finest movies ever churned by a Bollywood director…
Plus its got the most talked about pair of India – Abhishekhwarya (read about this grand merger of names in some blog ) so you guys better watch out for it, while Sowmya n I make sure to watch it first day first show and let you know how it was
Mani Ratnam’s Guru and more
Know more on the biggest and much awaited opening film of 2007! Learn bits from Guru…
Cinematographer Rajiv Menon says, “I think this is the first time Mani has shot a film abroad. This is a great film on many counts. For Abhishek, it’s probably a landmark film. I think he has done his job well. Abhishek has a childlike enthusiasm and goofiness on the sets, but when it comes to giving a shot he is an instinctive and attentive actor. We have captured that joie de vivre of Guru bhai really well, yet making him vulnerable at certain points. The grey side to Guru — his hunger to achieve success, the guilt that he carries — these things have come out very well.” For Abhishek, this is going to be his greatest performance till date.
The mark of a pro
During a shoot in Kerala’s waterfalls, Mani Ratnam was in a dilemma because he had shot in the same location earlier. It was a challenge for him to shoot that place in such a fashion that it looked novel to the audience. He did so and was happy with the result.
Golden period
Mani Ratnam has a thing for shooting in what he calls the magic hour, the early morning light. All the stars had to wake up by 4 am to make it for the 6 am ‘magic hour’ shoot.
Lateral thinking
On his magical pairing with A R Rahman, Mani Ratnam says, “Rahman and I work well together because I think both of us are willing to experiment, both of us not scared to fall down. In Guru, we have tried to do something different from what we have done before. Rahman is willing to think laterally, it does not have to be in the same grain as the film. It can go, it can be a counter-point and he is very good at that. We both know we can take drastic steps and may get something different. The fact that you want something different is what makes you get something different.”
Guruspeak
Says Abhishek Bachchan, “As an actor, one can’t find a more interesting and exciting script than this. It’s almost like a biopic. Initially, I was scared because it was going to be challenging. When Mani sir comes to you, he means business. He will not give you an easy film. And once you are on the sets, he will really make your role tougher by the demands he has in terms of performance.”
Set theory
Guru is about India in the 1960s and 1970s, with a special thrust on Bombay of those times and its mill culture. Set Designer Samir Chanda recreated the mill compounds of Bombay in Chennai and that’s where Abhishek Bachchan has shot the mill and labour union scenes.
Mani Ratnam goes for the real
When it comes to Mani Ratnam, it is clear that he would not settle for anything less than real. Mani had initially planned
that in Ash’s introduction song she would ride a bicycle. But unfortunately while Ash was learning cycling she met with an accident and therefore Mani had to chuck the song, which had beats of cycling too. In its place Rahman composed the song ‘Nanna Re’ almost overnight where Aishwarya is seen crossing many places and it’s a rain song. In one sequence where the lyrics say ‘Main Tair Ke Chali’, Mani Ratnam really made Ash swim across the lake area. So you see whether its cycling or swimming, Mani needs it made realistically.
