Celebrating Sridevi and Mithun's last film--and Bollywood Blockbuster--together: Guru (1989)

Released on February 24, 1989, Guru was a massive hit for Sridevi and Mithun, ending their four-film association with a bang. 

Yet another double role for Sridevi, kicking off 1989 with a blockbuster with co-star Mithun should have been great news, but Guru is however by no means a favourite of anyone I know. In fact, Sridevi said in several interviews that working in this Umesh Mehra directed film was the single "worst experience" of her professional life. Heck, Sridevi even took the team to court!  

But in Bollywood; a hit, is a hit, is a hit! And Guru opened huge and went on to celebrate a silver jubilee. 1989 was unquestionably Sridevi's year, a few personal hiccups aside, Sridevi bookended the year with back-to-back hits and critical acclaim with a double Best Actress nomination for both Chandni and Chaalbaaz. 

The songs of Guru were a smash hit; the Alisha Chinai sung numbers topped the charts. The only other plus point I can think of today, is that we got to see two of the great icons of Indian cinema together; multiple award-winning and legendary actress Nutan worked with young Sridevi in this film. Nutan worked with Sridevi in four films and sadly passed away in 1991.

Sridevi's double role in Guru (1989)

Sridevi's double role in Guru (1989) 

Everyone remembers her award-winning turn in Chaalbaaz, Lamhe and the blockbuster Khuda Gawah for Sridevi's double-act. 

Sridevi also had a double role in Guru (a hit), Banjaran, Gurudev, and a bunch of Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films too. 

Sridevi's double act in Guru (1989): 33 years of Guru

Sridevi's double act in Guru (1989). A blockbuster of the 80s, Sridevi bookended 1989 with back to back hits. 

Released 33 years agao today, on the 24th of February 1989, 

TBT: Amrita Singh, Anil Kapoor and Sridevi: Cover stars of Stardust, Feb 1989

TBT: Amrita Singh, Anil Kapoor and Sridevi: Cover stars of Stardust, Feb 1989

Sridevi's short-crop wig and look from a song in Gurudev. 
 

Sridevi on the sets of Guru back in 1988: The tiger print

No, that's not Sridevi on the sets of Cats! Sridevi's feral look for Guru back in 1988! (the film was released early 1989).

When it comes to this film - though it was a success at the box-office, Sridevi looked back on the movie with nothing but regret. 

As she said in a Filmfare interview, "The kissing problem of Guru was a nightmare. Someone else's lips were used for a kiss even though I had said I wouldn't allow this to be done by a stand-in. My parents saw the film and were very upset. And the director (Umesh Mehra) even claimed that I had actually done the kissing scene. That has been my worst experience in the film industry. I really don't know why I should kiss someone I don't know. Others can do it but I can't."

Sridevi and Mithun in the villain's lion's den! 

Despite the controversy - and legal notice Sridevi sent Mehra - the movie created waves at the box-office and was the biggest opener of the year. The film was launched before Waqt ki Awaaz which would prove to be a bigger hit and released nearly seven months before Guru. Both films had similar cast and music by Bappi Lahiri. Music for both films released around the same time in April 1988. Film made huge money in its time. They don't call Bollywood a dream factory for nothing!

Above: Rare Pic: Sridevi on set with the film's director Umesh Mehra

Sridevi on the cover of Hindi tabloid Filmy Reporter, with Mithun, Juhi Chawla, Jackie Shroff. 

Left: Rare pic of choreographer Saroj Khan with Sridevi on set 

Sridevi and Sunny Deol in Joshilaay

Released on 10 February 1989, after a lot of delay, Joshilaay is.... great in parts, predictable in others. Partly directed by Shekhar Kapur, who left the movie mid-way, the producer Sibte Hasan Rizvi had to take over the reigns to complete the film. Sunny Deol and Sridevi provided comic relief in the caper.

It's... formulaic, Sholay re-dux! All the highlights in the movie are somehow Sridevi related who has several fun songs and scenes in the movie. You can tell the movie took a long time to make as Sri's weight fluctuates throughout this poorly edited film.

We found these pics online recently, scanned from a Sunny Deol interview. With images of Sridevi in it, hence the re-post! Though the two stars of the 1980s acted in several films, rumours are Sunny and Sridevi barely spoke to each other on and off set.