Abhishek as Guru

Sara Saleh is impressed by the Indian actor's powerful performance in the Bollywood rags-to-riches tale.

REVIEWS

Guru
Director: Mani Ratnam
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Mithun Chakraborty, Madhavan, Vidya Balan, Mallika Sherawat

In his first release of the year, Abhishek Bachchan stars as Gurukant Desai aka Guru, who dreams of becoming a very successful businessman. He marries his best friend's sister Sujatha (Aishwarya Rai) to use her dowry as start-up capital for a polyester business venture in Mumbai
With the help of Manikdas Gupta or Nanaji (Mithun Chakraborty), the humble owner of a newspaper Guru starts his business. But a clash of ideologies leads to Nanaji appointing a hotheaded journalist (Madhavan) to expose Guru Bhai - now the biggest success story in India.

Once the film reaches its emotive climax, Bachchan's exceptional performance begins to come through as the film's anchor, as does his tingling chemistry with real-life fiancée Rai. Underdeveloped as their roles are, Madhavan, Chakraborty and Vidya Balan - as wheel-chair-bound Meenu - prove worthy by adding colour and eliciting a more authentic side to Bachchan's characterisation. A taut storyline and potent dialogue make this one of Ratnam's better, but by no means best, efforts.

The Black Dahlia
Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Fiona Shaw, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Mia Kirshner

Twenty-two-year-old aspiring actress Elizabeth 'Betty' Short's (Mia Kirshner) lifeless body is found in downtown Los Angeles, mutilated and with her mouth grotesquely grinning from ear to ear.

With suspicion, deceit and accusations flying around the city, the gruesome murder of the woman known as 'The Black Dahlia' seems destined to remain unsolved, but for two determined boxers-turned-police officers (Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart).

Based on the book by James Ellroy, this is a fictionalised tale of the true and still unsolved notorious murder that took place in 1940's LA.

Obviously enjoying this noir piece of work De Palma has set off to create, the actors successfully induce the audience into enjoying this entertaining, at times, weak plot enhanced by the profuse thrills and dark shadows such cinematic expressions typically divulge.

We say: Delightfully dark

60-second Profile: Abhishek Bachchan

Born: February 5, 1976

Background: Son of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and renowned actress Jaya Bhaduri, Abhishek was schooled in India and Switzerland. He attended Boston University in the US but chose not to finish.

First Seen: Bachchan's debut was in J.P. Dutta's unsuccessful Refugee in 2000.

Lucky Break: Came in 2004 with a role in Mani Ratnam's Yuva, which earned Bachchan the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.

Real Claim to Fame: Straight after Bachchan starred in Dhoom, the first box office hit of his career. In 2005 he shot to fame with four consecutive hits: Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus and Bluffmaster, and in 2006, both Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Dhoom 2 added to his solid standing success.

Future Plans: Guru, his first movie for 2007, has just been released and Shootout at Lokhandwala will be released in the coming months. Bachchan has also begun filming for Drona, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Chudiyan and Sarkar 2.

Private Life: Bachchan was engaged to actress Karisma Kapoor in 2002 but the two later broke it off. His engagement to actress Aishwarya Rai is currently big news.

Moments:
2005: Won his second Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actor category for Sarkar.

2006: Won the CNN-IBN Entertainer of the Year-2005 for Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus and Bluffmaster.

2006: Won Best Supporting Actor for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna at the Global Indian Film Awards.

- The writer is a movie mad 19-year-old