Review of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) by Morning D — 16 Jul 2013

The media can be a cruel and unforgiving foe. With it's short term memory it can create a hero, and destroy a man within a rather short timespan. This is echoed in the real life story of Milkha Singh, who before now had ceased to be a household name in India despite his many remarkable accomplishments. Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and writer Prasoon Joshi do not mask this fact. Actually, its one of the most poignant and subtle statements made in the film minutes into its opening. The news headline reads "Milkha Singh, the great Indian tragedy." I was immediately intrigued.

The events unfold amidst a fascinating time in India's history, often referred to as the golden years, following India's independence where nation building and patriotism covered a dark and murky blot on the map that stems from the partition of India, and post-independence Pakistan. Farhan Akthar gives a brilliant performance befitting of a glorified hero, but reveals a soft and broken side to Milkha's character, that makes him seem almost ordinary. The extraordinary was the unbreakable spirit, the dedication of a human being to achieve the unattainable, to face unthinkable adversity and emerge to face yet another. Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and actor Farhan Akthar put Milkha Singh's name back on the map and re-introduce him on the world stage. The actor trades in his clean-shaven, urban and hip good looks for an appealing 'Son of Sardar.' His transformation throughout the film is remarkable.

The narrative unfolds in a series of sometimes disjointed flashbacks, in which Milkha finds himself a victim of cruel and unpredictable circumstance. The character's simplicity is endearing. He's often alone and finds refuge in good friendships and romance. He must make something of himself and that leads him to the army. Here he learns discipline, and finds his hidden calling. His time in the army makes for some great comedy. The Jawans (enlisted men) provide comic relief and one of high points of the movie with Maston ka Jhund, a wicked Bhangra which displays Farhan Akthar's dancing ability. The track by Shankar Ehsaan Loy is memorable, as is O Rangrez the ethnic romantic ballad and Gurbani which is sure to give you goosebumps. The supporting cast provide some stellar performances notably Pawan Malhotra, as Milkha's army coach, who becomes a father-figure to him, Divya Dutta as Milkha's older sister, and 12 year old Japtez Singh, who landed the role of a lifetime as young Milkha Singh. He delivers a brilliant and energetic performance that will warm your heart. He has a winning smile and is well on his way to being a true charmer.

Filmmaker Rakeysh Mehra tells an interesting story and backs it up with references from history. The cinematography, captions, slow motion and old film reel are very reminiscent of his Documentarian past. I didn't mind it so much. The indian audience and some film critics were not impressed by the sometimes slow pace of the film, and the painstakingly slow-mo moments which are meant to have you savour the moment. I don't know why we are so rushed. If something is so good, why do we feel the need to rush right through it. I think of it like a good stage performance, after tons of practice, you get up on stage and deliver a masterpiece, but you don't hear it in the moment, you can barely recall the seconds to minutes that it took place. All of a sudden the audience is on their feet roaring, and you take a bow (or run an extra lap) and attempt to savour the moment in all it's glory. I can only imagine an athlete telling his story some 50 years later, reliving every 50-second 400m race, dissecting what went right, and not so right. Seconds that changed history, and marked his transformation from ordinary to extraordinary. The slow mo isn't for us.

Director Rakeysh Mehra clarified in several interviews that this is not the story of an athlete, it's not a film belonging entirely to a sports genre. Naturally track and field play a a huge role in the narrative, and the races ran superbly by Farhan Akthar, will get your adrenaline going. His physique is remarkable and anyone who watches competitive track and field will note his posture, demeanor and athleticism which is flawless. It's easy to forget your watching an actor, who has trained for the role, and get immersed in the character, as Farhan becomes Milkha Singh. The film is really about the triumph of the human spirit, and the ability to shed the shackles of your past, but it doesn't hurt the sports genre either. For any athlete looking for inspiration they will likely get it here, and for a culture that fails to put much emphasis on talent and vocation, over financial stability and prestige in intellectual pursuit, will hopefully prompt a second look. This is the aspiration behind the film; Milkha Singh sold his story for 1 Rs. in the hope that the proceeds generated will fuel a nation of athletes.

Now I'm not one to get star struck and it's no secret I detest the term 'hero' which refers to the male lead in Bollywood films. My 'hero' is the most often the script, and sometimes the director. Rakeysh Mehra delivers another monumental film as a follow up to Rang de Basanti (2006) which achieved cult status and challenged the nations idea of patriotism. The impact of this film remains to be seen once the dust settles but I have a feeling it won't be too far off from that. The script is sometimes flawed, and I would've hoped for something a little more fluid. But unquestionably the hero in this film is Farhan Akthar who delivers a performance of a lifetime. The director turned actor doesn't have many films under his acting belt, but each is memorable with his performances. His dedication to transform his body into that of an athlete does wonders for the authenticity of this character. Farhan Akthar etches a lasting image in Indian filmography with this performance and carves a place in history for Milkha Singh with this role.