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Guru (1980) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 17 Jul 2026

Guru (1980) Review

Directed by I V Sasi, Guru (1980) is a Tamil action, crime, drama film starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, R. Muthuraman. A young man Raghu sets up an explosive in a railway track to blow up a train. Raghu is a freedom fighter who wants to destroy the train in which British officers are travelling. He returns home after his successful attempt and is slammed by his rich father who is an ardent supporter of the British. ... Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 18 Jul 1980. Runtime: 2h 25m.

Guru
BELOW AVERAGE

Guru(1980)

Tamil · Action, Crime, Drama

2h 25m · 18 Jul 1980

Music: Ilaiyaraaja | DOP: Jayanan Vincent | Writer: Kamal Haasan

ActionCrimeDrama

Ratings

IMDbIMDb6.6
LetterboxdLetterboxd0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB60
TraktTrakt40

Our Rating

2.5

📖 Story

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.

🔍 Analysis

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.

🎭 Performances

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

✅

Strengths

  • ✓Strong screenplay and engaging story
  • ✓Excellent performances by lead actors
  • ✓Memorable music and background score by Ilaiyaraaja
  • ✓Balanced pacing with a gripping second half
❌

Weaknesses

  • ✕Some melodramatic moments that may feel dated
  • ✕Supporting characters could have been developed further

🎬 Direction & Writing

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.

📰 Critic Reviews

Gathering critic reviews…

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IMDbIMDb
6.6
LetterboxdLetterboxd
0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User
0
TMDBTMDB
60
TraktTrakt
40

Our Rating

2.5/5
★★★★★★★★

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive60%
Neutral30%
Negative10%

Critics

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

BELOW AVERAGE

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Guru release in theatres?▾

Guru released on 18 July 1980 (1980).

Is Guru a hit or flop?▾

Guru is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.

Where to watch Guru online? OTT release date?▾

Guru is available on provider-54, MX Player, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Guru?▾

Guru directed by I V Sasi.

Who are the main cast members of Guru?▾

Guru stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, R. Muthuraman, M. N. Nambiar, Major Sundarrajan.

What is the Tollybo rating for Guru?▾

Tollybo rates Guru 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.

Who composed the music for Guru?▾

Music for Guru composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

What is the genre and runtime of Guru?▾

Guru — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 145 minutes, Language: Tamil.

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