A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Positive Messages
some
No matter how improbable or impossible it might seem, be courageous enough to fight for your dreams. Supporting loved ones is extremely important. Some examples of corruption within a business context.
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Positive Role Models
a little
Gurukant "Guru" Desai, a simple middle-class man, faces immense adversities and challenges head-on to become one of India's most successful business tycoons. But he does dabble in corruption. Sujata, his wife, supports him wholeheartedly and stands with him throughout.
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Diverse Representations
some
Set in the latter half of the 20th century and pans across different Indian states such as Gujarat, Delhi, and Bombay as well as Istanbul in Turkey. All characters are Indian. Story revolves around a man from humble beginnings going on to become a major business tycoon. A character has multiple sclerosis but is not reduced to their disability.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Mentions of corporal punishment and threats of slapping. Characters smack each other playfully in multiple scenes. Elaborate conversations on gambling, corruption, smuggling. Characters have intense, heated arguments. Some enforcers bash a person's car. An individual is ordered to remove their clothes; no explicit nudity. A character is hospitalized after they slice their own wrists in a suicide attempt. Elaborate discussion about a character's multiple sclerosis. A cremation ceremony is shown. Another character passes out due to a paralytic stroke. Numerous hospital scenes.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
Sexualized belly dancing sequence. Characters flirt with one another and there is a lot of romance. Sex is implied; no explicit nudity. Characters are seen making out. People partake in the orthodox custom of giving dowry in a marriage ceremony.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Language
a little
Language includes "hell," "stupid," "monkey," "witch," "damn," "fool," "donkey," "crazy," "idiot," "beast," "shut up," "mad," "lousy," "dog," and "get out." "God" is used as an exclamation.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Characters are seen drinking on numerous occasions. In one elaborate sequence, people are seen taking cannabis.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Guru is an excellent Indian drama movie that follows its titular hero, Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan), a villager who goes on to become an extremely successful industrial tycoon. The film revolves around themes of corruption and smuggling. There are various verbal fights and arguments between individuals. A character talks about being caned as a child, and threats of violence and slapping are made. In one scene, enforcers smash the glass of someone's car in order to threaten them. A character attempts suicide by slicing their own wrists, after which they are hospitalized. There is heavy conversation about someone's multiple sclerosis in the film, a character has a paralytic stroke, and an elaborate cremation ceremony takes place. Characters are briefly seen making out, and sex is implied in several instances, but there is no nudity in the film. There is one elaborate song and dance sequence where a belly dancer is sexualized. Characters are seen drinking at various parties and get-togethers in the movie. In one song and dance sequence, people are intoxicated after having cannabis. Language includes the likes of "hell," "stupid," and "shut up." The film is in Hindi with English subtitles. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
GURU tells the story of Gurukant "Guru" Desai (Abhishek Bachchan), a middle-class man from a small village in the state of Gujarat. Guru travels to Bombay with his wife, Sujata (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), and his brother-in-law, Jignesh (Arya Babbar), to start his own business and achieve his dreams. Facing intense challenges and obstacles at every corner, will Guru be able to rise above them and claim victory?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Guru's messages of courage, perseverance, and teamwork. Why are they such important character strengths to have?
Would you describe Guru as a positive role model? Why, or why not? What makes a good role model?
Talk about how the film deals with themes of death and suicide. How did the characters support one another during such difficult times?
How did the film depict drinking, smoking, and drug use? Were they glamorized? What were the consequences?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 12, 2007
- On DVD or streaming: August 13, 2017
- Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty
- Director: Mani Ratnam
- Inclusion Information: Indian/South Asian directors, Female actors, Indian/South Asian actors, Indian/South Asian writers
- Studio: Adlabs Home Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History, Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 162 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: September 12, 2023
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