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The Flying Sikh

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag ( भाग मिल्खा भाग, Hindi, Run Milkha Run; 2013)
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag poster.jpg
What better way to stimulate nationalistic spirit than via sports? And the silver screen forms the platform to disseminate this message further. After watching this movie I came to realize that this towering Singh is indeed had an illustrious life, on and off the track. Perhaps also with a little push with the magic of Bollywood!
Hailing from the Pakistan part of Punjab, young Milkha Singh was witness to brutal killing of his parents and Sikhs during the Partition. Almost plunging into a life of pilfering and dacoit, he swayed to side of righteousness by promise of love by a young lass. 
In order of getting his life in life in order, he enrolls into the Indian Army. The lad who has been running all his life, first from the mob during Partition and then in his clandestine activities soon started running again. Only this time it was on the tract. 
The movie managed to impress upon its viewers the essence of the transformation and determination of a wayward boy to a national hero of sorts. His representation in the Olympics is spiced up with the usual masala to excite the story. It was entertaining, though.
The actor (R) and the real McCoy
In real life, in fact, his life was such. In the 1960 Rome Olympics, even when Milkha was fourth in the 400m race, he broke the then held world record (contested)!
His final race in Pakistan saw him beat his old time rival and the impressed Pakistani President christened him 'Flying Sikh' for his speed.
My son and I were keenly watching for boo-boos just for the heck of it as it was a sort of a period movie. Many of the scenes were nicely tugged into old footage to made it look authentic. One glaring mistake was supposed to have taken place in the vicinity of Melbourne stadium after his loss in the qualification races. He is walking in anger along the terrace of the stadium. We were laughing our hearts out when the flags of Malaysia (14-striped and 14-pointed star) and Singapore displayed majestically in this 1956 scene! Otherwise, it was a good film worthy of the time spent.
Joke of the day: Girl says, "So, you are relaxing?". Milkha says, "No, I am Milkha Singh!"

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