Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is the story of Indian sprinter Milkha Singh who won accolades for his country during the 50s and the 60s. In fact, the film can be termed as a cinematic experience that pays tribute to possibly the greatest Indian athlete of all time. It chronicles the rise and rise of the Flying Sikh (a title bestowed on him by President Ayub Khan) and how he managed to reach for the stars, and touched them in the end!

The story of Milkha Singh!

Based on Milkha Singh’s autobiography, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag chronicles the life of the greatest Indian athlete of all times. It takes you back in time when young Milkha was living happily in parts of British India that are now in Pakistan, how he lost his family in the riots of 1947 and why he opted for athletics despite not having a coach or monetary backing. Some definitive scenes here and there (Milkha drinking asli ghee, helping his love interest carry buckets, first trip in an plane and/or coming back to his village as a champion!) help in making this flick a classic biopic.

Brilliant acting, amazing direction!

For a film that didn’t have car chases, fight sequences and item songs, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has done well by excelling in the ‘other’ departments. The lack of thrill is covered by excellent acting whereas the director Rakesh Omprakash Mehra must be commended for his overall handling of the subject. Farhan Akhtar resembles Milkha Singh in each and every frame and although he may not have been able to overcome his fast-talking way of speech, he compensates for it with his commitment, his on-screen passion and dedication to his goal of making his nation proud.

The supporting cast must be mentioned here for Pawan Malhotra gives a first-rate performance as Milkha’s first coach Gurudev Singh. Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh (father of another cricketer Yuvraj Singh) is splendid as Ranveer Singh, the coach who takes Milkha under his wing as soon as he enters the big league. The most detested actor of all – Prakash Raj – gets a positive role for a change and doesn’t disappoint, in fact he evokes laughter with his attire and antics.

As for the ladies in Milkha’s life, they all have little to do. Divya Dutta as the sister excels whereas Sonam Kapoor as the lady love makes most of the screen time she has. Pakistani actress Meesha Shafi as the national level swimmer looks stunning in her few scenes and becomes the first actress to have a release in Hollywood (The Reluctant Fundamentalist), Bollywood (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) and Lollywood (Waar) in the same year!

The Pakistan connection!

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was not released in Pakistan and it had nothing to do with Milkha Singh’s initial refusal to tour the country where he was born (Govindpura is part of Pakistani Punjab now). The release was first delayed due to the holy month of Ramadan and later because of some issues between the distributors. It was a shame because two of the songs in the movie’s soundtrack have been rendered by Javed Bashir (Mera Yaar, O Rangrez) whereas the title track features the vocals of the indomitable Arif Lohar, both Pakistani vocalists. Pakistani born British actor Art Malik makes his Bollywood debut as Milkha’s father and delivers an A-class performance.

The end of the film also takes place in Lahore, Pakistan where Milkha wins the hearts of all (that really did happen when he finally agreed to a race). However, the depiction of Pakistan’s greatest ever athlete Abdul Khaliq  seem more ‘filmy’ than based on reality because Milkha and Khaliq are shown as rivals, whereas in reality they were good friends. In fact, historians on this side of the Wagah believe that the Pakistani athlete was so fond of his Indian colleague that he used to wait for him at sprint relay races, rather than run away as soon as he was handed the baton!

Milkha wins the ‘Award’ race!

For once, the judges of Filmfare Awards went with their mind rather than the heart and gave Farhan Akhtar his first Award for Best Actor recently, instead of their favorites Shah Rukh Khan (Chennai Express) or Hrithik Roshan (Krrish 3). Farhan Akhtar’s Punjabi accent may seem a little dodgy (Milkha Singh was a Sikh, remember!) but the effort he put into essaying the character was double of what the other two actors (SRK and Roshan Jr.) had done in their films. Chennai Express and Krrish 3 may have won the race at the box office but dedication helped Farhan Akhtar win the race to the award.

Similarly, the Best Film and Best Director award went to the hardworking Rakesh Omprakash Mehra (toppling award-magnet Sanjay Leela Bhansali), Prasoon Joshi was adjudged Best Lyricist for his song ‘Zinda’ (in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) while Best Costume Design and Production design awards also ended in the BMB camp!

Not to be missed, must watch!

The best thing about Prasoon Joshi’s screenplay is that it doesn’t cover the sprinter’s career chronologically but in a series of flashbacks that only make sense as the movie progresses.Bhaag Milkha Bhaag didn’t break broken box office records, but it did break the mindset that a biopic can’t be successful!

The flick doesn’t lose audiences despite being 3 hours long; such is the magnetism of the narrative. The story may not be 100% accurate but the cinematography, the costume design and the production values are just amazing. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag brings to screen the life of India’s greatest athlete and makes you believe that anything is possible!

*CINEMATIC SUICIDE
**FORGETTABLE
***WATCHABLE
****COLLECTIBLE
*****AWARD-WORTHY