Guide – An Enduring Classic

The Guide (1965 ) is based on the novel by R.K Narayan who also wrote the Malgudi Days, the movie adaption directed by Vijay Anand and stars Dev Anand-Waheeda Rahman in stellar performances.

Plot Summary 
Guide is about Raju (Dev Anand) who is a tourist guide and his complex relationship with Rosie (Waheeda Rahman) who is a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage with Marco
who is an archaeologist obsessed with his work.

Rosie turns suicidal but Raju comes into her life and helps her break free from her husband and mentors her to become a classical dancer with great success. They start living together which alienates Raju's family. Eventually his insecurities and access to instant wealth makes him jealous and gets  intimidated by her success. In a moment of indiscretion, he commits a forgery and he gets jailed and the difference of opinions drives a wedge in the relationship of Rosie and Raju. 

Once Raju leaves jail instead of returning to Rosie or his family, he runs away and he is mistaken for a saint in a village. Eventually due to a drought, the villagers persuade him to undertake a 12 day fast to evoke the rain Gods. 

Rosie, his mother and friends try persuading him to give up his fast but he refuses as he does not want to break the faith of the villagers. Eventually the faith of villagers is rewarded and Raju dies in the end but in the end after achieving true peace of mind and transforming from a man to an ideal.  

Takeaways from the Movie  

The first and most daring plot device of a woman in an unhappy marriage and her courage to walk out and have an affair with another man. For the 1960's India it was tremendous leap ahead to show a live in relation between Raju and Rosie. 

Secondly Rosie's pursuit of her dreams to become a dancer and how that leads to souring of her relationship with Raju who eventually succumbs to the typical insecurities. The depiction of an imperfect relationship is quite a refreshing change to the typical goody two shoes romances of the 60's Hindi cinema. 

Thirdly when Raju goes to the village, the depiction of rural India, abject poverty and the willingness of the masses to follow anyone as a spiritual guide / leadership. The rich have the luxury to entertain ideas of atheism and the triumph of science over religion but for the poor, only faith in a higher power God is the only comfort to live on another day. 

Fourthly the movie deals is the exploration of Hindu beliefs of the eternal soul and impermanent body, so when finally Raju dies for the village, it is not an unpleasant choice but actually an evolution in his mindset. The transformation of a impostor to an spiritual being is quite plausible and engaging.

Guide as the Metaphor 

The “Guide” is quite the metaphor, in the first phase, Raju is 'Tourist Guide' guiding people as his work, then he becomes 'Guide-Mentor' to Rosie to end her unhappy marriage and also become a successful dancer. The Third phase of his life is 'Guide-Guru' to the masses as the spiritual Guru. But the most significant transformation as 'Guide to Himself' when he is able to rise above his ego, attachments and pettiness to sacrifice his life for the people.

In the name of 'Bold' movies we are subjected to semi-pornographic movies these days but to be honest, Guide sans skin show was a bold, unconventional movie.  

Words do not do enough to describe this great classic of Indian cinema, I recommend you the reader to catch it soon. 

The travails of the 21st Century workplace

Even though, a young professional of 25-26 years of age earns more than what his/her parent draws as a monthly salary, there is little to suggest there is more happiness or prosperity in today’s life. Just got me wondering in spite of increased salaries and better facilities and a 2 day weekend, what is going so awry?

Longer Work hours

Then: In the old days, it was about punching in 8 hours a day. Come in at 9 am and leave by 5 pm dropping everything in hand.

Now:we have flexi timings – you can come in when you want but cannot leave till your manager wants :P sounds lot like Hotel California.

Competitive Workplace and Title Race

Then: Parents worked years at the same role and looked up to becoming an assistant manage or DGM. Time bound promotions was the norm with no critical appraisals. The title held a lot of respect and honor and it took years to achieve it.

Now: you have 6 monthly appraisals and all your achievements are brushed off and you are told you barely meet expectations and made to fight for your rightful compensation. Funnily titles/ designations are thrown a plenty. How 25-26 years become senior consultants / AVPs are beyond me. 

Where are the perks/benefits really ?

Then: Even if the take home salary in a govt. job, life time pension, job security, access to medical care/insurance and affordable living quarters ensured a higher quality of life.

Now: Although the monthly pay-packet may seem bigger, paying for medical care and financial planning post retirement are big questions which need to be addressed.

Traffic and long commutes

Now: the explosion in traffic and infrastructure projects means it takes longer to commute to and fro. Believe me getting struck in traffic for hours adds to the daily misery after a long day at work.

Financial independence is now taken for granted – since jobs a plenty

Then: Getting a job was tougher, also the Indian economy was growing lot slower and in a license raj driven environment, career advancement was very slow and steady. People were genuinely grateful to be employed.

Now: With job hops and campus placements, people today haven't really seen struggle in their life, financial independence has become much easier;

How to reclaim the happiness and avoid work related stress ?

Increasingly people are turning to alcohol, binge eating, insane partying and shopping to cope with the emptiness in life. A few sensible ones turn to spirituality or new age gurus like Sri Sri and the Art of Living. There is an acknowledgement there needs to more than just professional life in a person's life.

It is important to re view relationships with family, spouse and friends which is losing prominence in 21^st work life culture and make amends. Its ironic when some one is unhappy, he/she stops doing what they love best. Anyway its never too late to re-claim your life.

Pick up again on your hobby, call that old friend and relive the fun times. Take the vacation, learn to worry less, leave office early for a change. Remember money is important but not everything in life. Opt for work from home when possible. Watch movies, read books go for a romantic date, hit a gym, do something for the society. Do solid financial planning and retire soon.

There are 100 different dimensions to you outside to your professional life. Learn to embrace it and set yourself free.

Don't measure everything in terms of Return on Investment but learn to take decisions based on Return on Life - ( Quote reference – Jamal/Quebin)

P.S : I confess I am yet to reach this stage but let today be the first day in my new life.