Why India's legendary 'Flying Sikh' sold his life story rights for just one rupee.
In short: Milkha Singh, the celebrated Indian sprinter, refused a massive payout for his biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Instead, he accepted a token fee of one rupee, hoping the film would inspire youth and eventually help India secure its first Olympic track gold medal. It became a global box office sensation.
Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and released in 2013, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag chronicles the life of Milkha Singh, from his harrowing escape during the 1947 Partition of India to his emergence as a world-class athlete. The film depicts his journey from a penniless refugee in Delhi to an Olympian who shattered the 400-meter national record. Rather than a standard sports drama, Mehra framed the narrative as a personal story about the human spirit, focusing on Singh's internal struggle to outrun the trauma of his childhood.
The film's title, which translates to 'Run Milkha Run,' was a phrase coined by the filmmakers rather than a literal quote from Singh's father. To ensure authenticity, Mehra spent hours interviewing Singh in Chandigarh, with the athlete's son, Jeev Milkha Singh, facilitating the meetings. The production was a massive undertaking, with principal photography spanning locations in India, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Rome. Farhan Akhtar, who played the lead, underwent rigorous physical training to embody the athlete's intensity, marking a departure from his usual home-produced projects.
Commercially, the film was a major success, grossing ₹2.1 billion worldwide. It received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Akhtar's performance and the film's emotional resonance, though some critics noted its lengthy runtime. Despite its popularity, the film faced a ban in Pakistan due to its portrayal of sports officials. Ultimately, the project served as a tribute to Singh's legacy, with the athlete himself expressing hope that his story would ignite a new generation of Indian sporting excellence.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
- Also: Wikidata — Bhaag Milkha Bhaag · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Bhaag Milkha Bhaag · CC0
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