Gurubhai gurubhai avya che

Saw this movie yesterday and found it to be quite interesting. I surely don't have to spell out on whose life this movie is based. One just has to watch it to realize it. Visually the film is a technical masterpiece. It starts out in Black & White, moves on to Eastman colour, and then ends in the vibrant range we see in today's movies. This itself depicts the journey of the protagonist from his teens to his middle age.

Rather than talk about the story, I'd prefer to describe the performances of the various actors. Firstly the chemistry between Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai is excellent, especially in some of the scenes. Abhishek seems to have put all his energy into this movie and that is clearly evident in parts where he clearly shines over other actors.

On the downside though, there were a few songs which could have been removed. They just jar the continuity of the film and I was almost waiting for them to end so that we could get on with the story. Don't know what Vidya Balan was doing in the film. Her story seems completely out of sync with the film. Both R. Madhavan and Mithun Chakraborty play their roles genuinely though it seemed to me that their roles were cut off abruptly. But there's only so much you can put in about three hours.

The high point of the film is its climax, and Abhishek clearly shows the intensity that Amitabh Bachchan used to bring out in his films. Maniratnam has shown the technical finesse that is expected of him especially the last couple of his films didn't do well.

All in all, a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable film. And a hummable background score too... Gurubhai gurubhai avya che, dhoom dhadaka thaila che.

PS. Here are some interesting reads on Dhirubhai Ambani - Indian Legends, The two faces of Dhirubhai Ambani. Also thhe book 'Business Maharajas' by Gita Piramal gives a very detailed account of his rise in the Indian business scenario.