Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

My review: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra's biopic based on the life of "the Flying Sikh" Milkha Singh, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" is a long movie running for more than three hours. Though one hardly notice time flying by in the first half, in the second half one does get restless as the movie goes on and on. May be the movie should have ended with the Rome Olympics but then it is a Bollywood mainstream movie in which the hero should go down with all guns blazing as well as conquering his old demons. As a result movie gets unduly stretched for 30 more minutes which lead to all the restlessness.

In spite of the length and the exaggerated theatrics fitting for a mainstream Hindi movie, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" is enjoyable considering that it is based on the life of one of the most celebrated athlete India ever produced. And when film of this magnitude is made and makers want it to reach as many people as possible, one can't avoid the cinematic liberties that the makers have chosen to take. So when the young Milkha stares at his cousins who chase him from above the cliff surrounded by his new found friends with "Zinda" blaring in the background one would surely start enjoying the heroics in spite of the silliness of the idea as we are fed with these kind of scenes all our life.

Or for that matter can we imagine a Bollywood movie trying to showcase patriotism without Pakistan bashing or showing the Pakistani sportsperson as haughty and arrogant. However here the makers have redeemed themselves by showing the then Pakistani president Ayub Khan impressed with Milkha and bestowing upon him the title "Flying Sikh".

Also it is often irritating to see makers of such kind of movies demonizing other contemporary sportsperson in order to extoll the heroism of the protagonists. Shots of the competitors grinding their teeth with  anger or bashing the fellow athlete trying to strip him are all over done and in bad taste. May be there is some truth in what might have happened but to show them in such a crude manner in inexplicable. In the effort to pay tribute to one legend they have tarnished the image of his contemporaries which is despicable. 

In spite all these efforts at jingoism movie fails to elicit goosebumps even once unlike movies on sports previously did, be it "Lagaan" or "Chakde India". Whether the makers refrained from attempting one or they failed to create one is any one's guess. But when you look at it as a regular mainstream Bollywood movie, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" is a well written and executed movie with good performances from most of its cast members.  

Farhan Akthar has given his all, put in his heart and soul, sweat and blood (literally). He has lived the character and looks every inch an athlete.He has done full justice to his role. Other actor who has done exceedingly well is Divya Dutta as Milkha sister Ishri Kaur. Watch out for her in the scene she sees Milkha in India blazer for the first time. Sonam Kapoor's extended cameo fails to create any impact mostly due to her overt cutesy attempt which plain irritating. Others in the cast Yograj Singh, Pawan Malhotra, Prakash Raj and the rest have done their part well. 

Shankar-Ehsan-Loy's music is good with background score mostly supportive of the narrative while technically too movie is good. Various colour hues used in accordance with the time period in which the story happens is good. 

On the whole, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" is a well made movie that is enjoyable especially if you are one who gets easily smitten by the Bollywood's attempt at overt glorification of the patriotic heroes.

Bottomline:Biopic, Bollywood ishtyle.

3/5