Last updated: 17 Jul 2026

Tamil · Action, Crime, Drama
2h 25m · 18 Jul 1980
Music: Ilaiyaraaja | DOP: Jayanan Vincent | Writer: Kamal Haasan
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Guru is a Tamil action-drama that revolves around the life of an idealistic and brave protagonist played by Kamal Haasan. The story explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and social responsibility as Guru takes on corrupt forces to protect the innocent. The narrative weaves through intense emotional and action sequences, highlighting the protagonist's struggle against powerful antagonists. The film also delves into personal relationships and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, making it a layered drama.
Guru stands out for its compelling storyline and strong screenplay that balances action and drama effectively. The pacing is well-maintained, with the first half setting up the characters and conflict with engaging sequences, while the second half escalates the tension leading to a satisfying climax.
The film's songs, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, complement the narrative beautifully, blending melodious tunes with situational relevance. The background score enhances the emotional depth and intensity of key scenes, adding to the overall cinematic experience.
Cinematography by Jayanan Vincent captures the mood and tone of the film adeptly, using lighting and framing to emphasize dramatic moments. The screenplay's structure ensures that the audience remains invested throughout, with a good mix of action, sentiment, and social commentary.
Kamal Haasan: Powerful and nuanced portrayal of the protagonist, balancing intensity with emotional depth.
Sridevi: Graceful and emotive, providing strong support to the lead with her expressive acting.
R. Muthuraman: Effective in a pivotal supporting role, adding gravitas to the narrative.
M. N. Nambiar: Convincing antagonist with a commanding screen presence.
Strengths
Weaknesses
I V Sasi delivers a confident and focused direction, effectively handling a complex narrative with multiple characters. His ability to maintain tension and emotional engagement throughout the film is commendable.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 30% |
| Negative | 10% |
Critics praised Guru for its engaging storyline, strong performances, and Ilaiyaraaja's music. The film was noted for its effective blend of action and drama, though some reviews pointed out minor melodramatic elements. Overall, it was well-received for its technical finesse and narrative strength.
Final Box-Office Result
Guru released on 18 July 1980 (1980).
Guru is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Guru is available on provider-54, MX Player, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Guru directed by I V Sasi.
Guru stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, R. Muthuraman, M. N. Nambiar, Major Sundarrajan.
Tollybo rates Guru 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Guru composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Guru — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 145 minutes, Language: Tamil.