Here’s true grit, affirming where there’s a will, there’s triumph. Using the true-life story of a knee-high boy of Odisha – who ran from Bhubaneshwar to Puri in 2006 covering the distance of 65 km in 7 hours, 2 minutes – this ‘brio-pic’ is a class apart. An emotional firecracker, it’s full of sound and fury signifying something extra-special.
If you’re not moved by first-time director Soumendra Padhi’s Budhia Singh – Born To Run, sorry to say but then your heart just isn’t in the right place. Tautly scripted, excellently photographed by Manoj Kumar Khatoi, fluidly edited and crowned by life-like performances, this one leaves the marathoners Mary Kom and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag behind by miles. In recent years, Paan Singh Tomar has been the only other take on a torn-from-the-news-headlines athlete, which was as stirring.
If you’re not moved by first-time director Soumendra Padhi’s Budhia Singh – Born To Run, sorry to say but then your heart just isn’t in the right place. Tautly scripted, excellently photographed by Manoj Kumar Khatoi, fluidly edited and crowned by life-like performances, this one leaves the marathoners Mary Kom and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag behind by miles. In recent years, Paan Singh Tomar has been the only other take on a torn-from-the-news-headlines athlete, which was as stirring.
Quite audaciously faux glamour, cosmetic star value, a bloated budget and over hype are avoided by the director as sugar is by a diabetic. Instead, there’s cutting edge realism, assured storytelling and the conviction that talent can surmount the most Goliathan of odds. Now, that may not be a novel point to make. Oodles of sports flicks have harped over that ad nauseam before. Indeed, it’s the sheer passion and the power which are invested in the little big boy’s sprint odyssey which takes the endeavour to the next level.
Image Source: facebook/BudhiaBornToRun
In addition, the bond between Budhia Singh (Mayur Patole) and his coach Biranchi Das (Manoj Bajpayee) is traced with an engaging psychological acuity. A bit of a wild child, Budhia was sold for Rs 800 by his poverty-stricken mother to a Dickensian ghoul. On being rehabilitated by judo coach-and-orphanage operator Das, it’s not exactly empathy at first sight. Accidentally, Das recognises the boy’s inborn talent and steels Budhia into believing that, “The more they tell you not to run, keep running.”
‘They’ form quite a phalanx actually. Initially, Das’ wife has her reservations about an under-age boy being weaned on proteins. Media types fling their barrage of controversy-curdling questions. And inevitably, cut to local politicos and then some more to do their nasty number. The bureaucratic naysayers do veer towards the predictable and the caricatured. On the downside too, the music score tends to be so bombastic that it’s an ear-sore.
But the interplay between the determined marathon boy and his tetchy coach, who’s egotistic and ambitious rather than a laundry-white hero, is handled with compassion. The running sessions through hills and watersides by twilight have a poetic quality about them. Vignettes like Budhia talking crudely to a school teacher and the close-ups of his eyes reflecting a soldierly determination, draw you as close to him as the bright-eyed, underprivileged kids of your own neighbourhood.
But the interplay between the determined marathon boy and his tetchy coach, who’s egotistic and ambitious rather than a laundry-white hero, is handled with compassion. The running sessions through hills and watersides by twilight have a poetic quality about them. Vignettes like Budhia talking crudely to a school teacher and the close-ups of his eyes reflecting a soldierly determination, draw you as close to him as the bright-eyed, underprivileged kids of your own neighbourhood.
Indeed, there’s a certain universality about Budhia: you’ve seen many of them break into astounding acrobatics, literally walk on tight ropes and perform impromptu songs and dances expertly on the streets. However, they remain undiscovered because of the absence of any effort by any governance to scout for unschooled talent.
Image Source: sportwenscr
The epitaph following Budhia’s triumph has been tragic. It is suggested that the coach’s murder some 6 years ago involved more than just a gangster killer. Meanwhile, today 14-year-old Budhia’s dream of making it to the Olympics this year, has faded out.
At the core of Budhia Singh – Born To Run, there’s Bajpayee who plays his part from within, keeping the externals to a minimum. It’s a stubborn, crusading, rooted-to-the-soil man played by a supreme actor – and the finest performance evidenced this year so far, along with his unforgettable act in Aligarh. Wonder boy Mayur Patole is faultless, too. And they’re supported ably especially by Shruti Marathe as the coach’s wife.
Unsolicited suggestion: Run to the nearest auditorium showing this little jewel of a movie.
Image Source: sportwenscr
The epitaph following Budhia’s triumph has been tragic. It is suggested that the coach’s murder some 6 years ago involved more than just a gangster killer. Meanwhile, today 14-year-old Budhia’s dream of making it to the Olympics this year, has faded out.
At the core of Budhia Singh – Born To Run, there’s Bajpayee who plays his part from within, keeping the externals to a minimum. It’s a stubborn, crusading, rooted-to-the-soil man played by a supreme actor – and the finest performance evidenced this year so far, along with his unforgettable act in Aligarh. Wonder boy Mayur Patole is faultless, too. And they’re supported ably especially by Shruti Marathe as the coach’s wife.
Unsolicited suggestion: Run to the nearest auditorium showing this little jewel of a movie.
Thumbnail Image Source: cinestaan