Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor, Yograj Singh, Divya Dutta Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Genre: Biographical Sports film Rating: 4/5

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Milkha Singh was approached by dozens of filmmakers to make his biopic but he declined and finally Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra was the one who got approval from him. Thanks to Milkha Singh, for not only has Mehra crafted a phenomenal movie, but has also successfully portrayed and conveyed the emotions to the audience of the struggle, passion and dedication that Milkha Singh went through to earn his title of ‘The Flying Sikh’.

Despite the character of Milkha Singh obviously taking centre stage, the film does not have any sole leader; as when you sit through the long 3.20 hrs span of this movie, you will realize that this movie excels in every department of filmmaking – be it Direction, Acting, Cinematography or Screenplay. Everybody involved has gone to their maximum caliber to generate this biopic and it shows in the results on the silver screen.

As for the plot, the movie revolves around Milkha Singh (Farhan Akhtar) who with his wounds of the past, from the time of the India-Pakistan separation, continues his life as a local thug, then an Army man and finally a runner representing his country. Nirmal Kaur (Sonam Kapoor) plays a very limited role of his first love interest and Stella (Rebecca Breeds) plays the second.

The plot was simple, the story was not unheard yet Mehra succeeded in carving these obvious elements into something phenomenal that constantly touches your heart and makes you salute the spirit of the finest sportsman in Indian history for his courage and passion.

The run time of 3.20 hours may startle you, but be sure that it is worth. The only thing that may bug you is the stretched flashback tale, which at certain times hinders the flow of the main stream. Apart from this,nothing can be taken away from the movie.

Farhan Akhtar look so much into the character that you won’t believe that he is the one who played a Rock Band member role in Rock On and a jolly, happy-go-lucky friend in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. He has worked his butt-off for the role, and he has done it with near perfection.

The coaches of Milkha Singh in movie, Pavan Malhotra in the earlier phase and Yograj Singh in the later runs, did a fine job of proving the casting team right.

The movie gets you engrossed after Milkha promises his coach to break the 400m World Record. You will see the perfection in execution of the character, while watching Farhan running on tracks and working out in the shoes of Milkha Singh.

The portrayal of the emotion of a sister for his brother, a lover for his love, the respect for the coach in a sportsman’s heart leaves you awestruck and mesmerized.

One other character who is worth mentioning is Isri Kaur, Milkha’s sister played by Divya Dutta. Her act signifies that, none other could have been apt for the role she has played.

The soundtrack is powerful and many sound-bits were well used at places. The light comedy punches will tickle you and a few love sequences will also take you by surprise but never take you off focus.

If you love real life movies, are sportsmen, want to be motivated or are among the ones who praise a good cinema, then this movie is for you. Do not go with the opinion of BMB to be a family movie, it is not – it is larger than that.

If you happen to watch this one, let us know your ratings via comments.