Guna (1991) User Reviews

Excellent film-making and simply awesome acting!!!

[TheCinemaphile · 9/10 · 12 April 2007]

I need not make mention of how good kamal hassan is at acting....you actually cant call it acting.It can be called getting under the skin of the character and portraying a realistic look on the role.

Kamal draws parallels with the late Sivaji Ganesan...who is admired now even after his sad demise some years back.

I get the opportunity to watch GUNA only on television nowadays...as i was too young to have watched it in theatres.Kamal's acting was way too awesome in the movie...and as another IMDb user suggested,films of such high caliber rarely meet commercial box-offices success.The failure of this movie to rake in money does not deter us from appreciating the performance delivered by Kamal.

Of course he has given awesome performances in other movies like devar magan,mahanadhi,hey ram and many many more movies....this movie stays close to my heart.

The song KANMANI ANBODU is still a melodious song to reckon with now...15 years after the movie was released.The only two things to talk about in this movie is Kamal's acting and Santhana Barathi's acting!!!

Gunaa may have an Outlook of Psychological disorder & abnormality but from Inside it's very Intellectual & absolutely Normal. Kamal Haasan deserves more hype for this Classic

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 8/10 · 30 August 2021]

Gunaa (1991) : Brief Review -

Gunaa may have an Outlook of Psychological disorder and abnormality but from Inside it's very Intellectual and absolutely Normal. Kamal Haasan deserves more hype for this Classic. In technical words, Gunaah is a psychological Romantic tragedy but one has to understand what this film actually teaches to normal people by being abnormal itself. Recently i have used these words abnormality and normality for two outstanding films, one is Bollywood movie 'Ahaan' and second one is Korean Masterpiece 'Miracle In Cell No. 7' (you can take it as informal recomendations) and now i came across this film 'Gunaa' which was made exactly 2 decades ago. So, i have to loud for its path-breaking timing and how sensibly it deal with the subject needs even louder praise. A neurodivergent individual escapes the family he despises and the asylum he is kept in by creating fantasies to marry his dreamgirl. The following events shows us that how this highly educated normal girl falls in love with this abnormal guy and then how the so called normal people around them causes them hurt. There are many scenes in this film which i wll keep with me forever. This kidnapping formula is old, it doesn't offer anything great but the character's point of view and the perspective it offers are the two things which makes it special and different from other romantic films. It is still very much predictable film with few fantasy theories co-incidentally or intentionally completed by reality. Believe me, that's some DRAMA to watch. Kamal Haasan as Guna is extraordinary. I would take this one directly into his Top 10 performances and perhaps even in Top 5. It's better than his many other popular ones and deserves same hype, No, more hype actually. Well done Santhana Bharathi and the entire team of Gunaa. I hope our so called Sane society understand this film.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Psychological masala done right

[Jithindurden · 8/10 · 2 March 2024]

From the one shot with which the movie begins, the one thing that kinda haunted me throughout the movie was how this really needs a restoration instead of this old capture for the VHS that doesn't do any justice to the technical mastery of this movie. The cinematography is outstanding with the use of so many long oners and other clever usage of shots which accentuates the themes as well as Kamal Haasan's brilliant performance.

The film also seems to be highly influential in Indian cinema as I can see the influence in films of various languages. Although, there are aspects I'm not too fond of it too.

Way too many people seemed to have interpretations that are closer to the trend of films this started where psychotic love was glorified. Here, they have tried to show how even the girl is broken inside, a bit like Alia in Highway but not that explicit. Gunaa's love is pure but that isn't pure love as many like to interpret it. The divine metaphors or Gunaa's delusions are there because of how the world treats people but at the same time, the film is also clear about not giving those delusions legitimacy. The existence of these thoughts itself is clearly shown as deliberate poisoning of his simpler mind. The film has some confusion here to confirm his victimhood or divinity because it wants to be both. But even with that, it was a pretty incredible film that tried to do a lot of things within its framework.

Great Movie

[rums_fun · 10/10 · 3 June 2004]

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Of course, it takes a lot to understand the character of Guna in the movie. But it sure was a truly realistic character and Kamal Hassan is at his best in the title role. It is perhaps one of the best movies that describe what pure-love means to a guy who grows up totally devoid of it. The movie delves deep into the psyche of the viewers and the cast is really excellent. Ilayaraja's score and BGM add to the excellence of this movie. Not recommended for those who prefer the usual masala-junk seen in most of Indian movies. No wonder, it wasn't a hit among the tested-formula-preferring-mass of tamil audience. But I for sure have seen this movie over 10 times and this movie has stayed in my mind as one of THE GREATEST movies. Make sure you watch it coz, we don't get movies like these any more !!!

Simple flawless movie!

[kadavul-1 · 10/10 · 10 August 2007]

A flawless movie made in Tamil. Guna has nice twists and turns. Good pace. Strange events. The best Tamil movie recommended for non-Tamils too! Songs are great. Kanmani song was very creative, yet possible in real life. Unnai Naan Ariven was excellent in blending of diverse spots. Notice the little make up Rekha does just before entering a room for a customer – very real – attention to details! At the beginning of Paartha Vizhi – observe the sway in the queue. Songs are not just cut and paste bits. They all blended very nicely with the story flow. Guna is one of Ilayaraja's master pieces! Do we need to say anything more about the music? Just listen to all songs again and again and again….

Kamalahasan and everybody else acted wonderfully. Kamalahasan contributed much in this movie making along with director Santhana Barathi. Both deserve high appreciation. When the plot moves from the congested place somewhere in Hyderabad to hillside somewhere else, you could really feel the change of climate. When I watched this movie in a theater I almost felt like suddenly breathing fresh chill air then (may be the theater guys lowered the temperature or turned on the fans?). The handling by the police force during the climax is very real. You could expect similar things in real police adventures too.

Some may say that this movie cannot claim originality of the plot. As a matter of fact I did exactly have that same thought, what Guna had, when I was growing up – waiting for my dream girl. Many would have. It is simple common dream many boys and girls have, nothing new for a movie. But how the story portrayed makes all the difference.

This was not a hit movie, may not be appealing to everybody. However, if you watch it, with little extra attention to details and a feeling for people who are not very regular, you will really enjoy this movie.

Remember everybody is mad in this world. Mad about something or other. Among ourselves we brand only few as "mad". What kind of mad people we are!

The best movie of Tamil Cinema

[v_jana1 · 10/10 · 3 November 2006]

As the summary says, I think this is the best movie from Tamil Cinema. The intricacies displayed in this movie are unparalleled and something never seen in Tamil cinema!! That it comes as no surprise that this movie failed in the BO where junk-commercial movies are only expected to do well(Except in some urban centres where it was raved about, amongst the youth and Kamal Haasan's admirers). The film had since then acquired a cult status among the Tamil movie audience!

The greatest thing about the movie is , as much as for its intricacies which goes uncomprehending for normal viewers, it is equally a simple movie! If you have seen the movie "One flew over the cuckoo's nest", then you will be able to grasp "Guna" better. The screenplay is one of the best to have been written for Tamil Cinema. The out of the world music rendering by Ilaiyaaraja and Kamal Haasan's brilliant poignant acting makes this movie a memorabilia! If this movie doesn't deserve 10/10 then NO Tamil movie does! A must see movie for ANYONE ! Even if you haven't ever seen a Tamil movie then make this the only one. You would get the glimpse of the best of Tamil cinema with THE best technicians of there Kamal Haasan, Ilayaraja, at their finest!

A classic that was way ahead of it's time

[rassipillai · 10/10 · 8 May 2020]

Like many Kamal Hassan movies, this was a movie that was under appreciated during it's release and gained it's cult status only over time. This movie has served as the inspiration behind many others with similar themes that came out decades later. It's a story of madness, obsession, tragedy and eternal love, with impeccable performances and outstanding cinematography. Guna is a movie that portrays extreme contrasts in it's subject matter. On one hand it's a love story at it's purest, where the millionaire heiress having lost both her parents by then, realizes that her crazy abductor is a much better person than the people she is surrounded by all circling her like vultures for her money, and a life with Guna seeming more meaningful to her than the life she had lived till then. On the other hand, you see the sleaziness of life in brothels, the hero having been raised in one due to his birth father abandoning his mother, and the dismal plight of the under privileged suffering from mental illness. The hero cannot bear the disgust of his existence that he convinces himself to be god Siva who has taken this birth only to be cleansed by Abhirami when they unite in marital bliss. A life riddled with mental illness, abandonment issues, and abuse, his only hope and aim being to find Abhirami so he can be cleansed and start anew with a clean slate. Illayaraja's legendary music adds more life to this already brilliant movie.

One of the classics , a must see.

[l_kris06 · 10/10 · 20 November 2008]

Everybody is mad about something, its a fact, and this movie just reiterates it in such a way that you cant help at places but to cry. The way the movie describes the character of Guna is unbelievable, Director Santhana Bharathi must have relished this movie every bit, because every frame of the movie is an epic, be it the songs, the plot, everything in this movie will speak to you, if u really want to listen.

I first saw this movie when i was 15, 9 yrs now, and I saw it again today, the emotions that one feels while watching this movie, they are real. The character of 'Abhirami' is so palpable, you feel for it, you know there are very few movies that will make you sad and happy at the same time, you share the characters happiness, and their sorrows , you become a part of them. Its magic.

A child's innocence is its greatest gift, but eventually we all grow out of it, and thats a curse. Guna's innocence is child like, and it makes you feel ugly about yourself, its nothing to be negative about, its a fact, look at the mirror, it will tell you your story, mine does.

Its very touching towards the end, why did SK have to kill 'Abhirami'? well maybe if that hadnt happened, i probably wont be writing this. I don't knw. Its the same thing with 'Forrest Gump' , why did Jenny had to die?? Anyways, Guna is a very beautiful movie, one of the very few masterpieces, and its also one of those masterpieces that never got its due.

The songs, 'unnai naan ariven' and 'Kanmani' are soul rendering, a thousand years from now, assuming the world exists, and people are still people, the movie and its songs will still stay in a few peoples heart. Kamal Hassan, Illayaraja, Santhana bharathi, the entire cast of this movie , a legend!!

Awesome movie

[sagarvinod · 10/10 · 17 January 2019]

I saw this movie when I was 8, i was totally disappointed and don't know what was happening in the movie, totally hated. But, when when i was 20 i watched it again and said to myself, This is the best love story movie i have ever watched. More than Titanic. The music and bgm is the soul for this movie. Awesome bgm by Ilaiyaraaja.

Good movie

[bhar1234 · 10/10 · 24 April 2004]

The song Kanmani, is the center of this movie.. Touched me.... Have still not come out of it.. Otherwise, the movie has some unnecessary violence. That is characterestic of Kamal's movies. The heroine seems to have disappeared after that movie..

Kamal is the only actor who can do so many varied roles.

And he follows the notion that the hero should not always come out victorious in all movies. In most of his movies, he does'nt come out victorious..

Thatz why some ppl don't like his movies. They don't become great hits, because, they are tragedies, and ppl don't like to watch the movie again. This is my view..

A dream gone sore

[tsramesh-tsr · 3/10 · 24 May 2006]

This movie plot cannot entirely claim itself to be original. It was produced a couple of years after 'Tie me up, tie me down' [1990 /Spanish / dir: Pedro Almodovar]. The male lead in both films have mental problems. The female lead in the Tamil version is a wealthy girl; she is an actress in the Spanish version.

But Almodovar will find a better attempt at another Tamil version when 'Mayavi' with Surya Sivakumar and Jyothika was made a couple of years back.

Interestingly this movie is not listed in IMDb !!! I cannot immediately provide information on this film.

Then again the Almodovar movie itself has a plot very similar to English novelist John Fowles' 'The Collector' [1963]!!!!!

A life time Must see!

[baggywar · 10/10 · 19 January 2014]

Kamal Hassan is a versatile Actor. I happen to see this movie in 1992 and touched for its content. One of my best movie list. Every actor has put in lot of effort. Varalakshmi amma rendering Unnai Naan Ariven is something phenomenal. A mother's love is well felt. Kamal's anger and agony seeing a sparrow die, still is a evergreen memory. Its a cult movie! Every detail, the song, the lyrics, the singers, the actors,directors, etc., needs to be applauded for this effort of film making. It was less received, that's really sad. The genre was early for 1992, I believe!

The photography of the song, Paartha Vizhi..., is more of delight to watch. Especially, Abhirami Battar's words are shown on Roshini's movements. Wonder, how the director had made research on Abhirami Andhadi and used it appropriate!

A must see movie of life time!

Unconditional love...!!!

[PANDIAN120621 · 8/10 · 7 March 2024]

A classic that was way ahead of its time.

Like many Kamal Hassan movies, this was a movie that was underrated during its release and gained its cult status over the time...

One of the Best Movie of Kamal Hassan who has taken high risk in the caves of Kodaikkanal Hill Area which named as Guna Caves after this Movie...A different love story, a person can do anything for Love... Indeed way ahead of its time...

Never seen movie like this what a performance each every scene kamal Hassan lived literally...When the whole industry at that timeframe wanted to look all fair and bright. Kamal sir at his peak.. performing as dark skinned and abnormal is the most daring decision one could ever think...

One cant pass out this flick without Maestro's music contribution even today's Munjammel boys frames easily matches to the bgm and the love track became a friendship anthem shows his musical skills & thats why he his called ISAIGNANI... Special thanks to heroine for her mesmerizing beauty & her appearence makes the flick a pure BLISS...

Technically Well sounded & with camera work still haunts us even when we see it today & one should wonder the amount of dedication & hard work the team does for this breathtaking visuals...

Overall its a phenomenal movie that taught to embrace the art medium called CINEMA...

I have rated more than 350 films, out of which i have given 10 stars for only 4 films, Guna is one among those 4

[r_k_subash · 10/10 · 7 March 2024]

Abhirami, Abhirmai, Abhirmai. Wow what a mind blowing film it is. A movie ahead of its time! I have rated more than 350 films, out of which i have given 10 stars for only 4 films, Guna is one among those 4. Aandavar at his best. He has given life to the fictional character 'Guna'. "Manithar purintha kolla ithu manitha kaadhal alla". Though Guna's kaadhal is 'punitha kaadhal' which is impossible in the real world, Nothing is silly or nothing is illogical. All the songs are so good. The making of 'Kanmani' song is mind blowing. Great job by Ilayaraja and Santhana Bharathi. Defenitely a movie ahead of its time. Its effect on you after watching this will make you understand why it is one of the best films. Try to fell this movie rather than to watch. One of the best movies i have ever watched. Don't miss this film. Even if you don't like Tamil films or if you are a big fan of Hollywood, you will definitely love this film.

Guna

[santhosh-10290 · 8/10 · 15 July 2019]

Good Movie. Everybody acted good in the movie. Songs and BGM in the movie were excellent. The movie somewhat lagged at 1st half. The movie was so interesting at 2nd half. This movie is one of the Best of Kamal Haasan. Good Movie.

Master Piece

[sairamhair · 10/10 · 15 April 2020]

Must watch .... lesson for writers .....special mention to writer Mr.John sir my mentor