Guru(1980)
Guru is a 1980 Indian action adventure film directed by I. V. Sasi. It stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in lead roles. The film follows a wealthy philanthropist who secretly operates as a masked vigilante to fund his orphanage. Set in pre-independent India, the story involves family secrets, a love triangle, and a quest for justice. The film is a remake of the 1973 Hindi film Jugnu and was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Telugu. It was a major commercial success, completing a 365-day theatrical run. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The Tamil version released on 18 July 1980, followed by the Telugu version on 19 July 1980.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 18 July 1980
- Director
- I. V. Sasi
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 39m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
A young boy kills his mother's murderer and runs away. Years later, he grows up to be Ashok, a rich man who secretly becomes a masked vigilante named Guru. He steals from the corrupt to fund a shelter for orphans. His double life gets complicated when he falls in love with the niece of the police commissioner hunting him.
“A masked hero. A hidden truth.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Guru
Cast reunions in this film: Kamal Haasan & Ilayaraja (60 films together), Ilayaraja & Sridevi (23 films together), Kamal Haasan & Sridevi (13 films together), Ilayaraja & R. Muthuraman (6 films together), Ilayaraja & I. V. Sasi (4 films together), and Kamal Haasan & I. V. Sasi (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film was a remake of the Malayalam movie 'Guru' released the same year, both directed by I.V. Sasi.
- Actor Sivakumar, who played the lead, was known for his intense roles, but this was a rare period action drama for him in that era.
- The movie's climax and train explosion scene were considered technically advanced for Tamil cinema in the early 1980s.
- The soundtrack by Shankar-Ganesh became popular, with the song 'Aasaiye Alai Pole' being a notable hit.
- The film was shot in and around Madras (now Chennai) and Ooty, with the hill station standing in for the story's cooler regions.
- It was one of the few Tamil films of its time to depict a protagonist directly targeting British colonial rulers.
- Actress Sujatha, who played Parvati, was a major star in Malayalam cinema, and this was one of her prominent Tamil roles.