Guru (1997) :
Brief Review -
If any film has ever used Fantasy theories for eye-opening lecture on socially important topic in the world cinema, then Guru is that film. Usually, Fantasy genre is used only for entertainment or to tell some humanly important subjects like love, compassion, sacrifice etc. I remember watching some German and Swedish Fantasy flicks from 1920s decade and how it changed the definition of this genre. The films which used afterlife formulas to teach importance of being Alive and how not to waste this gifted life and for 20s it was way ahead of time. Even Hollywood has some great films made in the same genre but i like I said the motives were different. Those children orientated fun films with some jinx, curse stuff attached and then simple life lessons at the end, that's all. But i don't think any film has ever used this Fantasy theme for highly sensitive topic like religious fights or to some extent terrorism. Guru is one such film and it's by far the most hard-hitting film ever produced in this genre. Situations turn a man who believes in secularism into an extremist. He plots to bomb a monastery where the survivors of a riot take refuge but then benevolence of Guru takes him to some Fantasy World where he learns or better say teaches about Humanity. Mohanlal is excellent as Raghuraman, especially in the second half. The entire supporting unit is just terrific. The art designing and costumes here are very effective considering the kind of imaginative world they have created. Guru is one of the finest example of how wide and rich a writer's imagination can take him to break the silence on socially important topic. A big and memorable achievement for director Rajiv Anchal. Not just Malayalam industry but to all the cinema industries across the globe. A Maverick Classic which even puts Hollywood at its feet. Let Guru spread light into eyes of Filmmakers all over the world on how to expand Fantasy Drama Genre.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest.
