Article Updated 15 May, 2004 06:35:53 PM IST   'Run' - Run Run Run! By Prema K. ©2004 Bollyvista.com   Run Run Run! This is what one feels while viewing 'Run', especially the first half. Unlike most Bollywood films that slip in the second half, this one surprisingly picks up a wee bit in the second half, but not enough for resurrection. The film is bad from the word Run! One wonders why filmmakers invest so much time, energy, and money to make a film with a concept that has been over and done with in the 80s. This is yet another film that fails to grip or entertain the viewers. Siddharth, lovingly referred to as Siddhu (Abhishek Bachchan) comes to Delhi from Allahabad for studies. He falls in love with the supposedly beautiful Jhanavi (Bhoomika Chawla) at first sight (although she leaves a lot to be desired in the looks as well as oomph department). It's too late when Sidhu discovers that she has an extremely possessive elder brother, Ganpat (Mahesh Manjrekar), who is a local goon and will have none of this romantic track in his sister's life (why are all brothers and fathers in Hindi films think alike?). The brother shouldn't have worried. The romantic track between Sidhu and Jhanavi is very boring. Jhanavi confesses her love to Sidhu only in the second half. By now the viewer doesn't care anymore. Surprisingly all that our local goon does is bash up guys who chase his laadli sister. By now our hero has decided to do a 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' number. The two have already professed undying love to each other. (Why do we still have to suffer an onslaught of all those hackneyed dialogues that we have been enduring for years in our Bollywood films?). There's an overdose of romantic songs. The best part is they are all 'dream songs' (although they are hummable!). Little wonder now that the Sidhu-Jhanavi romance lacks chemistry! Vijay Raaz's comedy track provides relief at times although it is over the top. His track is left incomplete. He just disappears considering he has come to Delhi to meet his childhood friend, Sidhu. Anyway, all's well that ends well. Sidhu and Jhanavi unite after a clichéd climax. Now for the performances. Abhishek Bachchan is not bad but can't do much with a film like that. Bhoomika Chawla is a major disappointment. She had best restrict herself to South films. Action sequences by Peter Hain is superb especially the one in the subway when Sidhu takes on Ganpat's men for the first time. But even this is not a good enough reason to watch the film. Surely Madhavan, the hero of the original Tamil hit must be having the last laugh! For the Hindi version is bound to be a huge disaster. ** (TWO STARS) *poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/29/2587