Has anyone seen it yet on cinemas? How does the subway fight sequence look? I'm hoping it will be more better then the original (which was top quality). I haven't bought ANY HINDI DVDs since erm...K3G 2 disc set. I might consider this film as my first purchase in a long time. I know quality will be shite, but hopefully that sequence will be worth it.

I dont think, even MUD fight in NAYAK, created any STIRRS in Lame film

Here u GO, BRO, for Abhishek!

Ronjita Kulkarni | May 14, 2004 20:35 IST


Halfway through Boney Kapoor's latest production, Run, I wondered what about the film would appeal the audience.

A Boney Kapoor film may carry weight with the film industry but outside it means little. His last few films -- Khushi, Shakti and Koi…Mere Dil Se Pooche -- were box office disasters.

Besides, the Hindi audience has not heard of director Jeeva, even though his Tamil debut 12B was a superhit. Run is his first Hindi film.

Let me take you through the story and you can decide for yourself.

The story

It's the oldest one in the book. Boy meets girl, falls in love. Many obstacles later, their love triumphs.

Most Hindi films tend to take a share of this cake and decorate it with their own icing. Two of Bollywood's biggest stars were born this way: Aamir Khan (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak) and Shah Rukh Khan (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge).

Perhaps Boney wants the same for the industry's dark horse, Abhishek Bachchan.

So Run opts for the same clichéd story. Siddhu (Abhishek Bachchan) falls in love with Jhanvi (Bhoomika Chawla). But her brother Ganpat (Mahesh Manjrekar), the local goon, is ready to kill anyone who dares give his sister a love letter.

A similar plot was tried in Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Hai. It worked.

But how many times will the audience agree to see the same story? In an age when viewers are exposed to new themes like Bhoot, Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai, filmmakers may need to rethink their strategy.

The action

One of the big attractions in the film could be the action. To watch a collegian beat up a gang of mobsters may sound unrealistic. But Abhishek, with some help from action director Peter Hain, makes it very entertaining.

Like the time when Siddhu thrashes the gang in what appears to be a subway.

Even the pre-climax fight scene is well-shot.

Throughout the film, one gets the distinct feeling that, somewhere, Siddhu and Ganpat will clash. And the earlier sequences of Siddhu beating up Ganpat's goons keep your expectations high. Unfortunately, the climax fight is a dampner.

The cast

Bhoomika does well as Jhanvi. She manages to look timid and scared when required. Her character is similar to the one she played in her debut Hindi film, Tere Naam, where she was intimidated by Salman Khan's character for a while. Here, she is intimidated by Manjrekar's character.

Watch out the scene where she delivers a terrified yet subtle performance as Ganpat oils her hair. Most of all, check out her fabulous wardrobe.

Her relationship with her brother is a question mark. Why is Ganpat so over-protective about her? And why does he talk in a Bihari dialect when she speaks urban Hindi?

Mahesh Manjrekar is too loud in the film, especially since his actions are unexplained. He's supposed to be the local goon standing for elections, but that barely comes across. His only mission in life seems to be beating up boys who come close to his sister.

Later, his change of heart is so sudden that it seems to have happened only because the director wants to wrap up the film quickly.

Vijay Raaz provides the film's lighter moments. As Siddhu's friend who spends much of his time trying to locate him in Delhi, Raaz cribs his way through the film. He cribs when the roadside tea stall waiter gives him watery tea. He cribs when a man steals his suitcase, wallet and clothes. He cribs when the doctor removes his kidney. He cribs the most when he's with his retired father.


There are moments when he's a laugh and moments when he jars. But, on the whole, this talented actor who put in a superlative performance in Monsoon Wedding is wasted in Run.

Abhishek Bachchan

The star of the film is, no doubt, Abhishek.

The actor slides into his rugged college boy routine easily. He falls in love with Jhanvi the moment he sees her. While side-stepping Jhanvi's 'bodyguards,' Siddhu manages to score with his lady love.

Sadly, director Jeeva does not depict their romance well. Due to her powerful brother, Jhanvi cannot spend much time with Siddhu. Instead of delving deeper into their romance in those few minutes, Jeeva shifts abruptly to a song and kills the moment.

But the couple's first date in a restaurant is interesting. Siddhu appears cool as a cucumber while Jhanvi seems flustered that Ganpat's men might see her. Yet, later, when Siddhu's brother-in-law (Mukesh Rishi) bumps into them, Siddhu's transition into Mr Butter Knees is amusing. The scenes between the two are quite comical.

Whether this film turns Abhishek into a star remains to be seen. But one does get a glimpse of the actor's sincere effort in every aspect -- dancing, fighting or acting.

At the end of the film, I discovered the answer to my initial question. Run hinges on Abhishek. Even the film's billboards promote only Abhishek. And rightly so.

No wonder the movie theatre was mainly filled with girls.


*** I kinda DOUBT re those GALS running for ABHISHEK?

Run

By Taran Adarsh, May 14th, 2004 - 1700 hrs IST


In this fast changing scenario, when more and more innovative themes are being attempted by film-makers in Bollywood, you still come across films that are stuck up in the 1980s' jaded formulae.

The Indian cinegoer has witnessed parents/families opposing the young lovers in an umpteen number of films before - from Q.S.Q.T. to MAINE PYAR KIYA to D.D.L.J.

So, what's new in RUN? Nothing! It's old wine packaged in a new bottle. Not only is the film low on content, it's even low on entertainment!

Siddharth aka Siddhu [Abhishek Bachchan] comes to Delhi for further studies. He spots the beautiful Jhanavi [Bhoomika Chawla] and is attracted to her instantaneously. Little does he know that she carries with her an excess baggage that threatens to take his life away.

This excess baggage is Jhanavi's demonic brother Ganpat [Mahesh Manjrekar], who's overtly possessive of his sister. For him, the hand that dares to touch Jhanavi's heart just has to be cut.

Ganpat leaves no stone unturned to make life hell for Siddharth. Finally, Siddharth devises a foolproof way to combat the devious Ganpat.

Remake of the Tamil hit RUN [Madhavan, Meera Jasmine], the Hindi adaptation is only as 'fresh' in its concept as last month's newspaper headlines.



The problem with RUN is that the viewer can actually predict what's going to happen next. To look for anything novel in the film is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. From the word 'go', director Jeeva relies on the same old recipe to convey what he intends to.

The story hardly moves in the first half. There's an overdose of songs [most of these are 'dream songs'!], which pop up every 10 minutes without valid situations. Besides, there's a comedy track - Vijay Raaz - which has no relevance to the story of the film. Of course, there's Mahesh Manjrekar, who is supposed to be a goonda, but does nothing more than bash up guys who keep making passes at his sister.

If the first half is bland [Abhishek confronting Manjrekar's henchmen is the sole watchable sequence in the first half], the post-interval portions take the graph of the film completely down. Mainly because, till almost halfway through the second half, the story hardly moves ahead.

The lovers continue to meet, away from the prying eyes of the overtly possessive brother. And even the brother doesn't confront the guy head-on.

You expect things to pep up towards the pre-climax, when the guy [Abhishek Bachchan] is sacked from the college, a speeding truck knocks down his sister [Ayesha Julka] and the brother-in-law [Mukesh Rishi] is falsely planted in a corruption case. That's when the narrative gets slightly exciting.

But the climax is again archaic. Abhishek is beaten black and blue by Manjrekar's cronies, but he suddenly gets up and bashes up Manjrekar in true filmi style. Thus, the hand-to-hand fight between Abhishek and Manjrekar fails to evoke any reactions from the viewer.

Ditto for the romance between Abhishek and Bhumika. All through the first half, the girl does not respond to his overtures, but when she confesses her love in the second half, it's done in such a fashion that your heart doesn't beat for the lovers when they find themselves in a crisis.

Director Jeeva is just not able to get the viewer hooked on to the proceedings because he is saddled with an outdated story [N. Linguswamy]. Having an obsolete or mundane story is still pardonable, but RUN doesn't even have any twist in the tale or a stimulating screenplay. The film also does not connect with the viewer because it tends to get monotonous after a point, more so towards the post-interval portions.

From the script point of view, the film offers no reason why Manjrekar opposes Abhishek throughout. In fact, not once does Manjrekar confront his sister even though he knows that she has been meeting him secretly. Strange, isn't it?

Himesh Reshammiya's music is tuneful and thanks to some good promotion, you tend to hum the songs when it plays on the big screen. But, as mentioned earlier, the songs are not an integral part of the story but are used as a commercial ingredient since a love story is incomplete without songs. It won't be wrong to state that a few songs have been wasted in the film.

Cinematography [Jeeva] is better than his direction. Action sequences [Peter Hain] are well executed, but the sequences are so raw that it might tend to put off the ladies and family audiences. Dialogues [Kamal Pandey] are alright.

Abhishek Bachchan provides some engaging moments thanks to his performance. He seems to be taking a step forward with every film. Bhoomika Chawla doesn't get much scope to display histrionics. She run through her part mechanically. Mahesh Manjrekar has a half-baked role, but he enacts it like a seasoned performer. But if you expect him to steal the show, like in KAANTE, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Cast in different roles, Ayesha Julka and Mukesh Rishi are passable. Goga Kapoor is adequate. Vijay Raaz tends to go overboard. In fact, the digs against his parents [calling his father Anjan Shrivastava a crow and what not!] is in bad taste.

On the whole, RUN is too weak a fare to leave any impact whatsoever.

Rating:- *.


Tell us what do you think of this feature

Run is a very South Indian film. Whereas Hindi films these days tend to have ensemble casts with a few heroes and heroines, films with one hero kicking everyone's butt are still popular in the South.

U know DRAGUN, all SOUTHERN REMAKES have been STINKERS( SMELL SOUTHISH from a mile) I dont know why they go extra length to remake? just DUB, put new songs A la Bombay and Let film work on its ORIG merits..BHB, NAYAK, RUN ..Run away from them..Oh SHAKTI..BONEY KAPOOR started long time on this REMAKE STINKING HABBIT, from Kartivya etc.It continues!!

I still wonder? how TERE NAAM worked, may be SHEAR BAD LUCK of SALLU!!

will this film be cut at the cinema's or is it worth waiting for a dupe dvd !!!

Asif Miyan:

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 prot駩 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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Abhishek and Bhumika sprint across Delhi in Run

Fighting fits Run Cast: Denims, dupattas, dhotis Direction: Jeeva Rating: **

Limp-o-rock. Cinematographer-director Jeeva’s remake of a Tamil hit, kind courtesy producer Boney Kapoor, is a perfect argument for why cinema should walk, not Run.

Surely the script could have been majorly modernised and spring-cleaned. As it is served to you, the yawnfest strikes you as a leftover from the Padmalaya or the Gemini studios of yore, complete with a bunged-in comedy-bomedy track. Crrrack.

And there’s no plot except for this bit of kerfuffle: A middle class Allahabad boy lands in New Delhi, flips for a dupatta-clad damsel and is bashed up black-‘n’-boo by her big blond-haired brother (it’s the season for bhais, no?) Boy hits back, the possessive brother relents and all’s well in Dilli. Yaara silly silly? You bet.

On the lean positive side, Himesh Reshamiyya’s music score is first-rate. Star sinew is provided by the appealingly confident Abhishek Bachchan and the endearingly simple Bhumika Chawla. Vijay Raaz’s jab at front-bencher comedy affirms that he can be superior to the written material assigned to him. And oh daddy, Mahesh Manjrekar as the heavy-duty baddy, would he do the world a quick favour? Stick to direction, please. That’s Run, then, which is about as much fun as eating a cement bun.

Another South to North flop for Abhishek! They say Run "boomed" but he should have said "bombed"

http://www.behindwoods.com/gilli_remake.html

Gilli to be remade in Hindi

Vijay starrer Gilli broke all records and is termed as one the greatest hits of all time. Rajkumar Santhoshi, whose latest movie Khakee starring Amitabh Bachan was a great hit, has brought the remake rights of Gilli. He has already started shooting with Abhishek Bachan, playing the role in which Vijay excelled.

Abhishek Bachan’s latest movie Run, a remake of the Tamil original, boomed at the box office. Abhishek also plays the role, Madhavan plays in Ayaitha Ezhuthu.

The remake rights for Okkadu were brought before Gilli was made. It did not take off because Rajkumar Santoshi was busy with Khakee. Apparently it is being produced by Amitabh himself