But beyond the impressive physique he has cultivated for the role, Akhtar has captured a sense of focus and piety that led Singh to rise from his humble beginnings as a post-Partition refugee and small-time crook to national champion. He trained hard for a year and a half before the start of shooting, including a regimen in mountainous Ladakh at 14,000 feet. The smart, sinewy Akhtar does not look like the typical Bollywood hero, which is one of the factors that Mehra says led him to choose him for the role after a casting search that took him as far as Canada, the UK and the U.S. Since then, he has earned accolades for roles in films such as Rock On!! and 2011’s delightful bromance Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. He made the shift to acting under the radar, in the little-seen 2005 festival film The Fakir of Venice. He is known as a writer and director, with his 2001 release, Dil Chahta Hai, redefining the youth genre, and Don and Don 2 cementing Shah Rukh Khan’s reputation as an action star. Its length - bloated by several overlong segments and superfluous songs - and the complexity of the India-Pakistan rivalry at the core of the story may prove offputting for non-Indian audiences, but the film is likely to attract healthy returns at the box office within India.įarhan Akhtar’s intelligent performance is a highlight of the film. The story of Milkha Singh is so evocative that it is impossible not to be moved by the extraordinary events and accomplishments of his life.New BBC Chair to "Confront Hard Choices" Amid "Tough" Financials, Wants to Provide a "Sanctuary"īhaag Milkha Bhaag has opened wide for an Indian release in the U.S., in 140 theaters. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's portrait of India's most venerated athlete captures the indomitable spirit of a man whose life was marred by tragedy, but which ultimately propelled him to personal glory. Milkha Singh's idyllic childhood is desecrated by the partition of India in 1947. ![]() Traumatised by the bloodletting, the young Milkha joins a gang and turns to petty crime in a bid to survive. A stint in prison turns him around and he is recruited to the Indian army, where his prowess on the track is quickly recognised. The film charts his journey from the displaced child who witnesses the massacre of his family to impoverished jawan, national sporting hero and pride of India - a journey that led him to take part in the Olympics and overcome the haunting memories of his past to compete at the Indo-Pak games, where he fulfilled his dream of breaking the world record for the 400m.īhaag Milkha Bhaag evokes every possible emotion in the viewer as you are swept along on Milkha's tumultuous journey - and somehow changed by the experience.įarhan Akhtar is exemplary in the role of a lifetime. He wears the character of Milkha like a second skin, his cheeky impudence, his defiance and his determination inspire and charm you all at once. The physical transformation is evident and Akhtar runs like a born champion, but his artistry lies in subtly conveying the many shades to Milkha's personality, while capturing both the physical agony that his ambitious undertaking demands and the simmering psychological torment that is the driving force behind his athletic prowess. The film belongs to Akhtar and he proves himself worthy of the iconic role. His child counterpart too, deserves mention for a performance far beyond his years.īarely recognisable as the heavily bearded Sampuran Singh, Art Malik is a welcome addition to the Indian film fraternity, bringing resonance in key scenes. Sonam Kapoor is perfectly cast as the innocent village belle who captures Milkha's heart, while Divya Dutta is exceptional in a poignant role as his protective elder sister. ![]() The milieu of displacement in post-partition India and the chaos of the refugee camps is authentically recreated. ![]() Seen through the eyes of the boy Milkha, the portrait of carnage is stark and there are moments that are gut-wrenching in their brutality and heart-rendering in their pathos.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |