A great story, albeit an overly long one

Rating: 8/10 (10 October 2013)

I read reviews before viewing this movie, giving me a preconceived image of what to expect. An epic story of one man's struggle in a harsh environment which he will inevitably overcome and triumph against the odds. My predictions rang true. That being said, I was not disappointed with what was presented to me on the big screen. Far from it in fact. Although Run Milkha Run uses a familiar formula (see Rocky, When Saturday Comes, The Karate Kid, Cool Runnings, Hardball...), the screenplay is entrapping. Milkha (Farhan Akhtar) plays the charismatic no-hoper. The odds are stacked against him and nothing comes easy. The audience wills for him to succeed and he tends to capture your attention for every moment he is on screen. Akhtar brings life and a large chunk of likability to the character. The story is solid, regularly jumping back and forth between his troubled past and, somewhat, troubled present. The editing could have been sharper. A three hour movie it didn't need to be. Numerous scenes were overplayed and filled with unnecessarily long detail. As absorbed as I was in the story, at times I found myself glancing at my wrist. Farhan Akhtar was skillfully cast as Milkha and he brings his epic story to life. The sub-plot about Milkha's womanizing was flaccid and hard to believe. Undoubtedly, many found this entertaining but on a personal note I felt it was a road this story didn't need to take. Especially the scenes involving Stella (Australian girl). Here, I can't help but feel that western women are depicted as immoral and debauched souls. Was the audience hoodwinked into pointing the finger of blame at Stella for Milkha's Olympic short-comings? It certainly felt like that, but I'm not buying it.
Overall, I gave Run Milkha Run a solid 8/10. It more than satisfied my entertainment receptors which, after all, is why I go to the picture house. To those lacking in patience, the choice is yours. Watch an epic story of one man's triumph in a entertaining and fresh Bollywood fashion , or watch a rerun of Rocky IV. I'm glad I chose the former.