In the present era, Hindi cinema has been witnessing a surge in remakes from Southern industries, drawing both appreciation and criticism. However, a few decades ago, Southern remakes were embraced more positively. One noteworthy example is the Hindi film Guru, featuring Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi, directed by Umesh Mehra. The plot of Guru was adapted from the 1985 Kamal Haasan-starrer Kaakki Sattai. The original film also starred Ambika, Madhavi, Sathyaraj, Rajeev and Thengai Srinivasan, directed by Rajasekhar.
Kaakki Sattai marked a shift for Kamal Haasan, known for his roles in romantic dramas, into the action genre. The film revolves around a young man facing obstacles in joining the police force due to a lack of influence. Frustrated with corruption, he transforms into a local rowdy, with Ambika portraying his supportive love interest. Released at a time when the youth resonated with themes of rebellion against corruption and unemployment, the film became a significant box-office success, propelling Kamal Haasan further into stardom.
Capitalising on the success and the relatable theme, Umesh Mehra remade the film as Guru in Hindi in 1989. While the basic plot remained unchanged, modifications were introduced, such as Sridevi’s character having a double role. Guru mirrored its Southern predecessor’s triumph, emerging as a major success at the box office.
During the film’s production, rumours circulated about Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi’s alleged affair, adding an extra layer of publicity. Reports suggested that Sridevi expressed a desire to marry Mithun Chakraborty, who declined due to his existing marriage. This publicity angle contributed to the film’s success. Interestingly, 14 years later, Mithun Chakraborty starred in a 2003 Bengali film titled Guru, followed by a 2007 Hindi film with the same title featuring Abhishek Bachchan as the lead.
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