When we watch a movie multiple times, we often begin to notice new perspectives sometimes it’s the acting, other times it’s the direction, background score, or even hidden Easter eggs. But for me, Guru (2007), directed by Mani Ratnam, stood out beyond its cinematic brilliance. Every time I revisit it, I see not just a great film but a masterclass in management and leadership skills. Loosely based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani, it beautifully captures the journey of an ambitious entrepreneur navigating the complex world of business. The film doesn’t just tell a story; it teaches invaluable lessons about resilience, strategic thinking, and bold decision-making qualities every leader needs.
Main Characters & Their Management Skills:
Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) – Visionary Leadership with a Risk-Taking Attitude
Role: The protagonist, an ambitious village man who dreams of building a business empire in post-independence India.
Skills: Guru is the epitome of a visionary leader. He is fiercely determined, highly motivated, and relentlessly pursues his goals. He knows how to take calculated risks and make bold decisions. Guru possesses an ability to inspire people, whether it’s investors, employees, or his family. He shows resilience in the face of adversities and pushes through failures with persistence.
Management Lesson: Guru represents the classic entrepreneurial leader—someone who isn’t afraid to bend the rules to achieve their goals. He shows how visionary leadership, ambition, and calculated risk-taking can turn an idea into a thriving enterprise. However, his willingness to sometimes cross ethical lines highlights the need for integrity in leadership.
Manik Dasgupta (Mithun Chakraborty) – Ethical Leadership with Integrity
Role: A respected newspaper editor who initially supports Guru but later opposes his unethical business practices.
Skills: Manik is an advocate for transparency, integrity, and ethical business practices. As a manager, he is not driven by profits but by values and the greater good of society. His leadership is based on ethical decision-making, ensuring that success is built on honesty rather than deceit. He plays a balancing role in the movie, representing the voice of reason and morality.
Management Lesson: Manik’s character teaches the importance of ethics in leadership. While Guru shows the value of ambition, Manik demonstrates that sustainable success requires honesty, transparency, and a moral compass. Good leadership is not just about profit but also about doing what’s right for employees, stakeholders, and society.
Sujata Desai (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) – Supportive Leadership & Emotional Intelligence
Role: Guru’s wife and emotional anchor throughout his entrepreneurial journey.
Skills: Sujata showcases the role of a supportive partner and leader. She stands by Guru through thick and thin, providing emotional support, perspective, and encouragement. Her leadership is subtle but powerful, as she demonstrates high levels of emotional intelligence, helping Guru stay grounded while navigating his ambitions.
Management Lesson: Sujata’s role highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in management. A leader’s ability to understand and manage emotions—both their own and those of others—can greatly influence the morale and productivity of a team.
Shyam Saxena (R. Madhavan) – Investigative Leadership with Analytical Skills
Role: A journalist who exposes Guru’s unethical practices.
Skills: Shyam is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and investigative in nature. His management style is focused on fact-finding, accountability, and bringing transparency to the system. He represents leaders who hold organizations accountable for their actions and insist on ethical standards.
Management Lesson: Shyam’s character shows the importance of being thorough and holding others accountable in leadership roles. His pursuit of transparency and fairness is a reminder that integrity should always be at the core of management.
Key Management Lessons from “Guru”:
Visionary Leadership & Risk-Taking: Guru’s bold decisions and his relentless pursuit of growth demonstrate the importance of having a clear vision and the ability to take risks, which are crucial traits for entrepreneurs and managers.
Ethical Leadership: Manik Dasgupta emphasizes that leadership is not just about reaching the top but about how you reach there. Sustainable business growth requires adherence to ethical practices and values.
Emotional Intelligence: Sujata’s role as a quiet yet emotionally intelligent leader underscores the need for empathy and support in managing people, both in personal relationships and business.
Accountability & Transparency: Shyam’s journalistic approach shows how leadership must be accountable, with transparency being essential for long-term success.
“Guru” is a remarkable film for anyone looking to understand different styles of leadership, the balance between ambition and ethics, and how experience and moral integrity are crucial in management and entrepreneurship. It offers a nuanced look at both the triumphs and challenges of leading a large business.