‘JANMA RUNN’ (MARATHI) REVIEW | 22 March, 2024

Ganesh Films and Sri Adhikari Brothers’ Janma Runn (Marathi) is the story of an old man who is cheated by his own son.

Anna (Manoj Joshi) lives with his wife, Vasudha (Sukanya Kulkarni Mone), and son, Dilip (R.K. Tushar), in Dapoli village. He is respected by the villagers as he used to be a teacher. Dilip is jealous and scheming by nature. Ashok Gurav (Sushant Shelar) is posted as the village collector. Ashok used to be Anna’s student.

Dilip gets admission in Bombay to study electronic engineering. While going to Bombay, he asks his father for Rs. 1.50 lakh but Anna gives him only Rs. 10,000 which he refuses to accept.

After completing his studies, Dilip gets a job in the US. He returns to Dapoli for only a day because he wants Rs. 5 lakh from his father. Anna gives Dilip Rs. 5 lakh following which Dilip goes to the US. After eight months, Dilip returns from the US and coaxes his parents to accompany him to the US. Under the guise of signing their visa papers, he takes the power of attorney from Anna. Furthermore, he doesn’t even take them to the US. Instead, he misuses the power of attorney. What happens thereafter?

Kanchan Adhikari and Manjushree Gokhale have written a nice story but there are very convenient twists, one of them being the point at which Anna gives the power of attorney in Dilip’s name. Kanchan Adhikari’s screenplay is engaging in parts only. Emotions do touch the heart but the convenient portions rob the drama of the plausibility factor. That is the screenplay’s biggest undoing. Kanchan Adhikari and Manjushree Gokhale’s dialogues are good at places and alright otherwise.

Manoj Joshi shines as Anna. Sukanya Kulkarni Mone is excellent as Vasudha. R.K. Tushar is alright in the role of Dilip. Sushant Shelar lends reasonable support as Ashok Gurav. Shashi Pendse is okay as Anna’s friend, Vasant Soman. Anagha Bhagare provides average support as Uma. Mahesh Thakur, Niharika Raizada and Kanchan Adhikari do as needed. Others fit the bill.

Kanchan Adhikari’s direction is fair. Vaishali Samant’s music and lyrics are nice; there is only one song in the film. Nitin Hiwarkar’s background music is alright. Suresh Deshmane’s cinematography is eye-filling. Siddhesh Salvi’s art direction is appropriate. Anand Kamat’s editing is proper.

On the whole, Janma Runn is too ordinary to attract sizeable audience. It will, therefore, flop.

Released on 22-3-’24 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru August Entertainment. Publicity & opening: poor.