Runner , Runner

Rating: 9/10 (12 July 2013)

Milkha Singh , the name many youngsters don't give a damn about . A country with nearly 1.3 billion population where almost every other boy dreams to be playing cricket , how can they remember this legend. But Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has changed the scenario. With the actor Farhan Akhtar with his side, this movie truly triumphs.
The story of super-sprinter Milkha Singh unfolds in this exceptional biopic at its own volition. There's no effort here "to tell a story", to create an impression or to whip up a dramatic storm to captivate audiences. The synergy in the storytelling seems subliminal From the trailers we have seen that how much Farhan has given for his physique. He has done excellent job , probably he may claim the National Award for his acting. The multi talented guy who has already shown his acting capabilities simply makes you say 'WOW' when you see him in this flick. And he gets tremendous support from other actors, specially Divya Dutta, who is incomparably sincere in her role. Pavan Malhotra as Milkha's coach is as usual, first-rate.
With immense help from Prasoon Joshi, Mehra harnesses Milkha's life-story into an experience that is pure cinema and yet undiluted and uncompromised by the mandatory, often silly, illogical and idiotic semantics of mainstream commercial cinema.
In Prasoon Joshi's interpretation of Milkha's amazing success-story, yearning is the cornerstone to achievement. In 1947, when India became two nations, we see little Milkha (Jabtej Singh) run for his life to escape the savage butchery that snatches away almost his entire family. Only his dear sister, played wonderfully by Divya Dutta, remains. As we see it, Milkha never stopped running since the partition trauma.
The 'run' as a metaphor of life's expedient circumstances, runs through the narrative.
Happily, the screen time is as much taken up with Milkha's record-breaking achievements on the field, as it is with vignettes from his personal life. There is a robust heartwarming romance between Milkha and the vessel-friendly 'kudi' Biro (Sonam Kapoor, looking prettier than ever). The writer and director invest inexpressible warmth in the protagonist's courtship scenes. We've seen this kind of love blossom on Punjab's soil before. But it still feels special and unique.
I have never seen Milkha Singh running but when you see Farhan on the screen you can easily say that he is not faking. He has immersed himself deep down in the athletic spirit. When he runs, he really runs. When he stumbles and takes a fall, we flinch and wince in our seats. Farhan's body language and emotions and expression as Milkha is pitch-perfect.
I have never thought that a biographical movie can be such interesting till I saw this and Paan Singh Tomar. While you are on-the-run, pause to watch this one. Go run and see this epic!