Film: Run Anthony
Director: Raghu Shastry
Cast: Vinay Rajkumar, Rukshar, Sushmita Johsi, Devaraj
Debutant director Raghu Shastry surely has dared to be different in a film that thrills commercially, but what has been his falling with Run Anthony is that he made the movie thinking constantly about the imagination of his audience. So, an ideal thriller turns irrational when the conventional requisites of love and songs are thrown in.
The result is a slow movie which does not focus on the core: why is Anthony running and from whom?
Anthony (Vinay Rajkumar) is the son of an army officer. After being rejected by his love interest, he runs to end his life, but accidentally meets a girl (Rukshar) at a railway station. The girl dressed in a wedding attire is chased by goons and Anthony protects her from them. Conversation strikes between the two and they spend the night at the station. The next morning, the girl is dead. All eyes on Anthony. The rest of the story is about whether he is the culprit and if not, who is and will he able to trace them.
While there is a good twist in the beginning, the subject starts only after the interval. The director, who has tried to keep up the suspense, does not manage to hold the attention of the audience because of the unnecessary romance and songs plugged in.
Raghu probably did not realise that there is a difference between knowing and understanding; while he knew he had a unique subject, he did not understand that it had to be made in a distinct style sticking with the core. But going by his effort and talent, his lapse can be termed intelligent ignorance.
Vinay Rajkumar has faithfully gone by the director’s instruction. Individually, he has opened up from his first film and has tried his best to get into the skin of the character. This is just his second film and surely, he seems promising. Following Vinay is Rukshar who has also gone by the director’s instinct. She makes for a pretty picture but has little scope to perform.
Sushmita Joshi in a guest appearance has space for a few scenes and a song. Devaraj, who only comes in the second half, does what he is best at. Though Dattatreya has a blink and miss role, his character comes as a surprise.
With cinematographers Manohar Joshi and Karm Chawla being part of the project, the picturisation is good in parts and they have captured the backdrop for all the songs in a pleasant manner. The background score comes in handy. Even though a few songs were unnecessary, music director Kadri Manikanth surely knows his melodies.
There is a clear effort by Raghu and Vinay to churn out a unique film, which is laudable but for the future, both newcomers need to realise their shortcomings and find satisfaction not in subtle applause for being different but in standing ovations for being unconventional trendsetters.