Like Guru, Mani knew 'Guru' would be a hit

"Guru" continues to rake in the moolah even after five weeks and veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam says that he had always been positive about the outcome of the film - just like his protagonist who dreamt big and went on to become a mega industrialist.

"Of course, I knew it would be a hit. Because when you make a film like 'Guru' you start thinking like Guru," Ratnam told IANS in an email interview.

According to the ibosnetwork.com, the Abhishek Bachchan - Aishwarya Rai starrer, released Jan 12, has grossed approximately Rs.800 million across the country.

Loosely based on the life of industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani, the late founder of the Reliance group of industries, the film even managed a tax exemption in Uttar Pradesh.

When asked how much importance he gives to box office collections, Ratnam said: "I make a film with two objectives -- I should be happy with the film and the man who pays for the ticket should be happy with the film as well.

"The first one I know because I am making the film and more clearly after I complete it. The second one I know only when it reaches a lot of people. Box office collections are equal to your film reaching a lot of people."

The film was dubbed in Tamil and Telugu and released the same day as the Hindi version.

Ratnam's next film is "Lajjo" in which Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor will be seen together for the first time. He hasn't yet started work on it, but says: "I'd better get to it."