Bhaag Milkha Bhaag begins race with music and trailer launch

It’s not every day that history gets to be showcased on the big screen. But soon you will get to experience the magic of the iconic flying Sikh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. The film stars the extremely talented Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh, the only athlete who has won 77 gold medals out of the 80 races he ran. He is ably supported by Sonam Kapoor who plays the female lead. The cast of the film accompanied by Milkha Singh and Ajit Andhare (Viacom 18) recently came together to launch the music and trailer. Said Mehra, “This is not a sports film, but it is one about the triumph of the human spirit. Milkhaji, who lost his parents when he was just 12, fought all odds to stand out as an Indian every citizen looked up to. This story had to be told to inspire each one of us.” Commented an ecstatic Milkha Singh, “Earlier, there had been many offers to me to sell my story but my son was adamant that it will be only Mehra who will get to showcase my story and that I get just a mere one rupee for it.” He further added that loosing the Rome Olympic was a regret he will have all his life and that he wished that an Indian will repeat his feat someday. Farhan Akhtar, who plays the athlete in the film, said that it was difficult for him to get the style and look of Milkha, but he had promised the flying Sikh that he will work hard to make him proud. “When I heard the story, I knew I had to do the film. Working on a story of such an inspirational person is rare and I am lucky to be part of this film. His story about his victory, not just as an athlete, but also as a human, deserves to be told. Every youngster will be inspired by the film and we hope it will leave a positive mark on them too,” he observed. Sonam Kapoor who was in tears watching the trailer, said, “The film looks lovely, and watching our sweat and blood turn into something so beautiful is definitely an emotional moment for me.” When asked if his film was banned in Pakistan, Mehra laughingly said with a wink, “We just got three great offers for the film to be released there. I think it is the film that will result in the revival of cinema in Pakistan.” The film produced by Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra and Viacom 18, is slated to release on 12 July (2013).