LEARNINGS FROM MOVIE GURU

The Indian movie, GURU, revolves around the story of a business owner who rises from rags to riches. The main character of the movie Gurukant Desai builds his business empire by whatever means he can. From GURU movie we can learn Power of ambition and vision, Conflict in relationship, Unethical business houses, Growth without principles, Value addition, Changing your orbit, Courageous corporate leader, Negotiation skills, Growth and speed and Self-confidence.

Ethical issues

First ethical issue:

Guru obtained trading permit by trapping a government official to issue it to him. He brings truckloads of polyester cloths to his house so as if it would seem that the official had seized those items from Guru by unfairly exercising his power. The only way that would solve the problem would be by issuing Guru a permit and he would take his items back.

Second ethical issue:

Guru took revenge against the existing wealthy person by defaming him through newspaper articles by bribing its employees and that was unfair and unethical. But when we look at the situation in which Guru was he seems very right to have done it as he also each time had tried to hinder Guru’s progress.

Third ethical issue:

The third ethical issue is similar to the first one where Guru obtains import permit by faking to be already rich. He exports empty. Boxes claiming them to be his products. His motive here was to import polyester at a much cheaper price generating maximum profit. However the law at that time was written for the rich. So anyone else could not thrive in business. From his prospective it seems very ethical that everyone should have equal opportunity to prosper.

Fourth ethical issue:

His failing to realize that he could not install twelve spinning machines instead of six for which he had permit seems to be an illegal act. But when I watched the movie I felt that in those existing circumstances it would have been impossible for him to get the permit for twelve machines. After all he had to consider the interest of all his shareholders by meeting the demand of his products. Also being not so knowledgeable about tax laws was not completely his fault, with his background of coming from a backward village.

There are many quick lessons which can be learnt from Guru Character

Believe in your Dreams:

Guru Bhai wanted to start his own business but his father opposed the idea as the path of entrepreneurship isn’t easy. Yet, despite all the odds, he followed his dreams, worked hard and fulfilled them. The movie starts with a speech which Guru Bhai gives in a huge auditorium full of share holders of his company, “Mera bapu kehta tha, sapne mat dekho, sapne kabhi sach nahi hote, par maine dekha aur kya hamara sapna sach hua?” – And he receives huge round of applause and affirmation. The reality lies between just dreaming and thinking that dreams don’t matter. The reality lies in making your dreams come true through hard work.

 

 Confidence:

Sometimes even the best of the ideas don’t work because people lack confidence to implement them, in such cases, Guru Bhai provides some real encouragement. In one of the scenes where Guru Bhai enters the “kapda” market for the first time, Mathura Das one of the leaders there tells him that he won’t be able to work in the market as he is “sikhau”. Guru Bhai takes even de-motivation in an optimistic way and says – “Thik aapke baaju mein khade rehke dhandha karunga aur aap jaise pachaas hazaar ki chutti kar dunga!” Seeing his confidence, for a moment, even Mathura Das goes numb. It is important to beat the fear and go ahead and do it.

 Be the Boss of Words:

Guru Bhai speaks with a kind of panache which gives one goose-bumps. It is like speaking in a way that strikes a chord. While addressing the annual meeting of Shakti Corporation, his company, Guru Bhai aggressively says – “Shakti Parivar ko Gurukant Desai ka namaskaar…!” By treating the share holders as a family he tries to establish an emotional connection with them. We never know but sometimes, our one single statement can change the lives of people around us. Therefore, make sure to make your words work!

 

 Be Futuristic:

Guru Bhai was an opportunist. He planned ventures which were much ahead of time and in the process, he even observed the mechanics of market with a sharp eye in order to confirm his instincts. Having an idea about your future plans will always help you in keeping things clear and in embracing success.

Apart from the above, I feel that one should always try to build a convincing personality like Guru Bhai which radiates energy, which supports one’s ideas, one’s aura should be such that – “Bas naam hi kaafi hai!” In light of the things, just like Guru Bhai says in one of the scenes, “Idar ke nidar hai hum!”- be headstrong, dynamic and above all courageous. We can change the world even as just students!

Learning Experience

After watching this movie, I came to realize that to achieve success a person may have to undergo difficult circumstances and some situations may carry ethical dilemmas with them. Many times laws are written by the powerful. However, it does not mean that you have to work illegally to achieve success; one should be able to defend true and honest intentions and be accountable in whatever you do.