RUN, ELSE SOME ONE MAY PULL YOU IN THE THEATRE TO FILL VACANT SEATS
By Pankaj Shukla
Critic's I-view
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The atmosphere in the country is just different today as the most popular Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, A. B. Vajpayee has lost the general election for the 14th Lok Sabha . The stock market has crashed to a new low. So, only fresh films can cheer up the people .Maybe the people need a 'Munnabhai MBBS' to entertain them at this moment. Luckily. We have two films to choose from this week. Both the movies have been directed by first timers. 'Run' is directed by famous cinematographer Jeeva. He is a known name down south, and even in Bollywood he has handled camera for many films.
Abhishek Bachchan is his protégé in this remake of Tamil hit 'Run'. Madhvan played the main lead in that film. Jeeva has lifted the film in totality and has set it in New Delhi. So while every one is busy either in formation of the new government or watching the developments for this (and that's not less entertainer any way). News channels are banking on high TRP's these days. There is a young man who is running around to confess his love and if not so, playing hide and seek with some goons who are out to eliminate him. This is 'Run'. This film is made by a young director and that too in a phase when many youngsters are coming up with fresh ideas and fresh presentation. Jeeva on the other hand sticks to time tested things.
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'Run' revolves around Siddharth (Abhishek Bachchan). His nickname is Siddhu. He is in the capital for his studies but instead falls in love with a simple girl Jhanvi (Bhoomika Chawla). The girl who made debut with Salman starrer, 'Tere Naam'. Studies take a back seat and the boy from the banks of Ganges in Allahabad starts roaming around to catch the attention of the girl. It's not clear how well he does in studies, but he dances well, sings well and even fights well. And all that makes a hero out of one and not a brilliant scholar. So if the purpose is not to get a degree what remains? Obliviously the girl!
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So, the hero is hell bent on getting Jhanvi to his den and little does he know that in that he will have to cross a hurdle that is known as Ganpat (Mahesh Manjrekar), Jhanvi's brother. Ganapat would not tolerate anyone touching his sister and Siddhu loves her. So, he tries to eliminate him too. Siddhu confronts him to get his true love. Battle lines are drawn and a war of love begins. Did you find anything new? No. Many present in the cinema hall were yawning as they knew what was to happen on the screen. But before you reject the film as a trash, let's see if there is something worth watching.
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To find the value for money in a film that is a not a good entertainer, it's a Herculean task to watch it in full. But, a critic has no choice. He has to be there for whole two and half hours. The best thing about the film is its music. Set to tune by Himesh Reshamiya, the songs are melodious and a treat to watch. Jeeva may have failed in the film as a director though as a cinematographer he is good at work.
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So the first alibi to watch the film is its song content, in between when the story progresses one can visit the loo. Next is stunt. Abhishek Bachchan may have looked awkward in love scenes like many. Sorry, I don't remember the numbers now, maybe after 13 films he will get a hit like his father in 'Zanjeer' and if that happens, surely you will know the exact number of his flop films. He has enacted some good fights in the film. Don't expect him to be next angry young boy but he is as close to street boys in fights as one comes across in lanes. Isn't it called natural acting in film diction? The credit goes to some Peter Hain for all this, haven't heard the name before?
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Let's dissect the creation of Jeeva. There are performers like Mukesh Rishi and Ayesha Julka too. Having started the career with the first hit film of Abbas Mustan in 'Khiladi', it is heart wrenching to see Ayesha doing these tid-bit roles now. And, before you turn to click on any other link, let me remind you that Mahesh Manjrekar is there too, yes, as an actor again. No producer is giving him a chance to direct a film these days, thanks to a complete string of his flop films. So, he is now a director-turned villain. But soon this job may get out of his hands too. He is at his worst in the acting in this film. So better you 'Run' on the streets with your friends than to go out for this movie. The film hardly has any motive and it ends the same way. Once again bad time for its producer Boney Kapoor who earned a name in filmdom by making several hit films but the list of flop films seems to be getting bigger with the failure of 'Run'.
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