Ayushman

Ayushman
Directed byJacob Verghese
Produced byMathew Verghese
Dinesh Rajkumar N
Naveen Francis
StarringBabu
Manik
CinematographyJacob Verghese
N Dinesh Raj Kumar
Edited byKalveer Biradar
Ashwin Prakash R
Music byRicky Kej
Production
company
Jacob Films
Release date
  • 2021 (2021)
CountryIndia
LanguagesKannada
English[1]

Ayushman, also titled Running Positive internationally, is a 2021 Indian Kannada-language documentary film directed by Jacob Verghese. The film won the National Film Award for Best Exploration/Adventure Film.[2]

Plot

The film follows two 14 year old boys, Babu and Manik, from Hoskote (near Bengaluru) and Bidar, respectively, who were both born HIV positive. They grew up at NAMS Snehasadan and Sarjapur after their parents passing. The film follows their journey as they run 10 km and half marathon races in 12 different countries across 5 continents, including the UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland; the Children Olympics in Netherlands; and Rome.[3][4][5]

Cast

  • Babu as himself
  • Manik as himself

Controversy

The Bengaluru School Sports Foundation alleged that Jacob Verghese failed to provide copyright rights for the film to the organisation although they were paid for it. Verghese falsely claimed ownership of the film while applying for the Sahitya Akademi Awards. The Bangalore School Sports Foundation reported losses due to this.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Case Filed Against Director Jacob Varghese Accused In A Copyright Case". News18. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  2. ^ "69th National Film Awards for the year 2021 announced". Press Information Bureau. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  3. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (14 March 2017). "Running positive is an inspirational docufilm on two regular boys". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  4. ^ Govind, Ranjani. "Sports helped transform their life the positive way". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Babu and Manik will keep on running till their last breath: Jacob Varghese, Director of IFFI 53 Film Ayushman, a real-life story on the greatest journey of hope". Press Information Bureau. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2026.