Mani Ratnam recreates Bombay in Chennai for ‘Guru’

It’s arguably one of the most lavish sets ever created for an Indian film. For his much talked-about Hindi venture Guru, filmmaker Mani Ratnam has recreated an entire era, representing a slice of Mumbai in the 1950s.

The set, built by art director Sameer Chanda, has roads with trams as they used to ply on the streets of the 1950s, houses and hordes of junior artistes dressed in clothes that appear to be tailored in that era.

Those who’ve seen the set say the detailing of the architecture and mood is so meticulous that one is instantly transported to the Bombay of the 1950s. The location of this marvelous set was kept a complete secret from the public and even the artistes.

In fact Mani hasn’t narrated the entire script to anyone except Abhishek Bachchan who plays the title role and is in the film from the beginning to end.

Says a source from within the unit, ‘No actor from Mani’s repertoire has ever had a chance to play a role like the one Abhishek plays in Guru. His character starts in his 20s in the Bombay of 1950s and ages to 65. Abhishek not only had to put on weight but had to be fitted with a specially made bodysuit to make him look bulky and obese. It took him four hours every day in the sweltering sun just to get into the bodysuit and another hour at the end of the day to get out of costume. But at the end of the day the effort was worth his while.’