Budhia Singh: Born to Run

I rarely request to watch any movie but this time I beg you to watch it. Perhaps success of this movie will create enough stir to let this sun shine on time. Director and writer Mr. Soumendra Padhi work is very good. Without taking anyone side he has tried his best to be in truth side which is proved by showing very positive character ,Biranchi Das, crossing limit to make his point listen. Movie will provoke you to do something for world's youngest marathon runner Budhiya Singh. Director has enhances every scene with his vision and shot taking. The way he has captured Budhiya's collapsing scene by making screen dark and hazy is very good but it should have been less in duration. Environment created of Budhiya's childhood residing area is very real, like kids smoking half puffed Beedi thrown by elders. This movie is a tight slap on system and hard pat on our self that how could we ignore such things happening in our country. As a writer, director work is just OK till first half. It is slow and gives feel of docu-drama but after interval it makes you captive, you can feel the anger, anguish and frustration as if you are just witnessing all that happening in front of you. In first half when Biranchi Das first notices Budhiya's talent is a bit unreal as he was shown running since morning till late evening, which is indigestible a bit. Dialogues are perfect. There should have been some gradual establishment of his talent. Climax is shot in very intelligent way. It leaves the desire impact without showing violence. Background score and mixing are very good. Need to be especially mentioned. Credit goes to sound designer Subhash Sahu. Performance wise the kid Mayur Mahendra Patole as Budhiya Singh is fantabulous. He gives goose bump just by look in his eye. Manoj Bajpayi as Biranchi Das is pitch perfect as usual. Shuruti Marathe as his wife is very good. Tilotama Shome as Budhiya's mother is impressive. Gajraj Rao as minister's secretary and Gopal Singh as local leader are too good. Hats off to Viacom 18 and independent producers Gajraj Rao, Subrat Ray and Shubhamitra Sen for supporting such type of project.

I was on a flight and had seen all the mainstream movies on offer when I chanced upon Budhia Singh : Born To Run. I vaguely remembered reading about this film when it was released but somehow never got around to seeing it. Now was the opportunity!

What a film. I was entranced from beginning to end with the saga of wonder runner Budhia and his ill fated coach Biranchi Das .

The unknown child actor Mayur Patole was exceptional as the super runner boy Budhia. Manoj Bajpai was superlative as Biranchi Das. Actually everyone essayed their role brilliantly. The sets were realistic, the editing tight and the plot held the interest throughout. How much of it was from the true saga and how much embellished I do not know. Suffice it to say that this is an exceptional film.

The conflict remains of whether the child Budhia was pushed too hard for his age or not,or whether his talent was being given the push it deserved to make him a marathon champion. By all accounts, Budhia is not doing well in his SAI hostel.

If you have missed this movie, do see it.

Amazing story telling can be seen in the movie. Budhia, the long distance runner kid was a prodigy, but the kind of twists and turns that entails his life due to political pressures and interests is beautifully narrated by the movie. The movie constantly revolves around the relationship between the coach and the student; coach's undying spirit to make Budhia an Olympic runner; Budhia's spirit to run; the politics being played around Budhia's success story; the strange role of Budhia's mother. All in just one package, that too beautifully done. You just enjoy the journey. One can see the strong performances by each character. The best one is by the coach, Manoj Bajpayee, as usual. The kid has given the best he could. Coach's wife's role can also be seen as being played well by Gita. Overall a good acting, story and emotions.

More than a movie, it's a documentary or a movement against the selfish system of our country. This story has been kept very truthfully and honestly. Hard to review a movie that hits you back so much. Manoj Bajpayee has hit the right chord where other actors are not really equally supporting him. A decently directed film that implants something into the minds of the viewers.

Storyline Rating: 3

Acting Rating: 3 Manoj Bajpayee: 3 Mayur Mahendra Patole: 3

Direction Rating: 3

Music Rating: 2

Cinematography: 2

Editing: 3

Rarely, we stay back and see the end titles of a movie. Budhia Singh, makes you stay, till the very last title is shown. The true story of a 5 year old marathon runner, who went in to history and record books, by running a 65 km marathon in Orissa - inspires and connects us, to the very real world of Budhia. Here nothing is perfect. A mother who sells him off, a coach who is strict and singly focussed on making him a marathon runner, a media that swings from his side to the other, a government that is vehemently opposed to his running, imposes a ban even. A very real world. What does Budhia do. He runs. No complications stop him or affect him. Mayur is brilliant in portraying that simplicity of Budhia the child. Manoj bajpayee as his stubborn coach is just superb. Inspiring true story, excellently told and acted. Must-watch.