Abhishek Bachchan Reflects on ‘Guru’: “If Mani Ratnam Gave Me the Chance, I’d Do a Better Job Today”
Mumbai | July 2, 2025 – In an exclusive interview with ETimes, actor Abhishek Bachchan opened up about his 25-year journey in the film industry, sharing candid reflections on some of his most iconic roles. Among the highlights was his acclaimed performance in Guru (2007), directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam. The actor confessed that, if given another opportunity, he believes he could do a far better job with the character today.
“If Mani gave me the opportunity to do Guru scene by scene, shot by shot again today, I can say with 100 percent confidence I’d do a much better job,” said Abhishek.
The film Guru, loosely inspired by the life of business tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani, is widely regarded as one of Abhishek Bachchan’s finest performances. Critics and fans alike praised his portrayal of the ambitious, gritty, and emotionally layered protagonist Gurukant Desai, making it a career-defining role for him.
🔥 Guru: A Personal and Professional Milestone
While discussing Guru, Abhishek also revealed how the film held deep personal significance for him. It was during the film’s premiere in New York that he proposed to Aishwarya Rai, whom he later married.
“Yes, I proposed to her after the premiere of Guru. All my films are personal to me in some way or the other. If a project doesn’t feel personal, I probably wouldn’t do it,” he said.
This personal connection, combined with the critical acclaim the film received, cemented Guru not only as a professional high point but also as a cherished memory in Abhishek’s personal life.
🎭 Revisiting Yuva: The Complex Lallan Singh
Abhishek also looked back on his first collaboration with Mani Ratnam in the 2004 political drama Yuva, where he played the volatile yet emotionally complex Lallan Singh. Initially, when he read the script, Abhishek found Lallan to be the most vulnerable character in the film, despite his rough exterior.
“At first, I thought Lallan was the sweetest character. You actually feel for that guy,” he said.
He praised Mani Ratnam for involving him deeply in the character development process. The director encouraged him to express his views and even allowed creative space for emotional depth.
Abhishek recalled a deleted scene from Yuva, which he considered powerful but unfortunate that it didn’t make the final cut. In the scene, Lallan breaks down in front of his wife (played by Rani Mukerji) after she confronts him for not changing his violent ways. The heartbreaking line that stayed with him was:
“I’m trying, lekin suvar goo khana chhodta nahi hai” (I’m trying, but a pig never stops eating filth).
He said the line, written by Anurag Kashyap, captured Lallan’s internal struggle perfectly. “That one sentence summed up Lallan for me. It made me feel immense sympathy for him,” Abhishek explained.
🎬 Collaborating with Mani Ratnam: A Creative High
Abhishek Bachchan has worked with Mani Ratnam on three notable films – Yuva, Guru, and Raavan. Speaking about his creative equation with the director, Abhishek described it as intensely collaborative and deeply enriching.
“Working with Mani Ratnam changes you as an actor. He trusts you, challenges you, and helps you find new layers in every scene,” Abhishek stated.
🎥 What’s Next for Abhishek?
While he didn’t disclose specific upcoming projects, the actor hinted at a renewed passion for storytelling and character-driven cinema. After 25 years in the industry, Abhishek believes he is more seasoned, emotionally aware, and creatively grounded, ready to take on even more challenging roles.
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