Bhag Milka Bhag - Finally our Chariots of Fire

"Are you relaxing? No, I am Mikha Singh!" – This the famous joke and that is unfortunately how we have been introduced to the Flying Sikh Milkha Singh all our lives.

While the legend has been living all his life while we grew up to become just mediocre metro-sexual youth, never ever, there has been a sustained attempt by our society to bring out these legends to lead us, or to enthuse our kids and then we had to learn about Pan Singh Tomar, Mir Ranjan Negi and now Milkha Singh through our filmmakers. And hats off to these directors who chose these guys over much hyped guys that are littered in our so- called Indian Sports scenario.

Bhag Milkha Bhag is an homage to that undying spirit so universal but somehow so unsung in this country. And the decay all around is not unnoticeable.

Again this movie proves that at least in cinema , India has matured. As the scene after scene transcendent, it allays my (and others) anxiety over the doubtful feasibility of this biopic. Some three to four years back when Rakesh OP Mehra declared his intention, it seemed a subject of a documentary. And here we are, with a movie, that actually gets deep down your throat and alleviates the inner conscience. Few, very few movies have that effect, where long after you have left the screen, the scenes ghostly hover in your subconscious self. May be the universal value system re-instates itself once again, may be that is the deep rooted ethos-system that we imbibe. Bhag Milka Bhag, brings about those elements in you to the surface which make you promise once again to self that you shall surely rise above your own self pettiness day after day, everyday.

So then, this movie joins the elite, it is as powerfully stimulating and real as Chariots of Fire, as perfect and inspiring as Chuck De India, as craftily and more as Pran Singh Tomar and as heart wrenching as Million Dollar Baby. Its one of the few near perfect movies made in Bollywood.. thoroughly researched, thoroughly perfected.

Biopics are not thrillers, they can't be. To infuse energy and purpose while staying true takes a lot. Here, a lot of credit goes to Farhaan Akhtar. Amazingly dedicated unlike any other actor till now in Bollywood, he has metamorphosed himself to get into the character. Look at his fitness, his toned energy level, struggle and which shows because he went through it it convinces you that yes, Milkha lived those days and we had an Indian athlete doing that.

Technology and paying around with camera and light and music while living the story is a strong forte of Rakesh Mehra, and not one bit, he lets you down. Divya Dutta and Pavan Malhotra (remember, back in 1980s he was part of Nukkad) are amazing.

Finally, its one helluva inspiring story that shouldn't be missed because these stories do repeat everyday around us but we have lost the eye to notice them and heart to celebrate them. Do yourselves a favor now, RUN to get acquainted with Milkha because he ran and did his bit! You shall get a chance to celebrate true nationalism with self triumph!!!