A Running Endeavor

Rating: 7/10 (10 August 2013)

It should have 'A' certificate for many of the scenes, more so as they refer to the history, which could cast a spell on young receptive minds leaving a permanent mark of some poignant emotions in a very dreadful way. All the children from new-born infants to the transforming teenagers should be strictly refrained from watching it to avoid another generation of fanatics being raised who can derail easily in the heat of circumstances. As the friend of Milkha Singh in the movie rightly puts it 'It's not people that are evil, its circumstances' and as we have a very limited authority of controlling the circumstances those would always outlast the human fanaticism and greed, we are left with the only option of developing young minds in the most righteous, noble and generous form as we can. The base of one's understanding of being, self-image and belief system is structured at large in the most formative years of life i.e. from 5 years to 15 years, most of the psychoanalysts agree.
It could be a little, why, a lot more short and crisp as far as the unnecessary stretch of some scenes is concerned and it surely could have done very well with getting rid of few songs. The 'comedy' and 'songs' are considered inevitable parts of a Hindi movie for some incomprehensible reasons which could be avoided for better with the evolving age of bollywood till the point in time when bollywood film-makers get to the depths of its intention and application. Particularly the mindless love songs and inappropriate hyperactive intense scenes (load of which breaks the back of most of the South-Indian movies with otherwise a good plot) could comfortably retire now from the silver screen unless they have a strong bond with the main thread or take the story to a new, high level. Even it is assumed that there is an emotional need of such scenes for 'sensitive' audience, the idiot box with its abundant dramatic reality shows and typecast 'nonsense' serials is providing for that stimuli much more than required(?).
It would be sensible and conscientious to check all the historical facts like Actual World Records, Authorized Documented Achievements and Chronology of the concerned events as the film claims to be inspired from and based on the true story of a living legend. With all the consideration for the cinematic liberty that the director has exploited to its extents, a thought about a less pseudo filmy and more rational authentic treatment could have taken the film long way in its credibility and not just the entertainment value. The sepia-toned fading flash-back style is quite effective and manages to engage the minds of the audience in a different world but it seems repetitive and clichéd as compared to its innovative use for the first time in 'Rang De Basanti' by the same director. Film is a media of great potential and for huge assorted population, director's relentless innovation in telling a story to the contemporary audience in the most captivating way holds the key to the success of a movie. It could be more entertaining yet influential with a touch of little quirky imagination that would offer it as another entertaining movie with an insightful message and still keep it from turning into a documentary.
As far as the cinematography is concerned, it is not only international standard but has raised the bar for world cinema so high that every film-maker will have to strive hard to maintain it. Slow-motion photography being the essence of it, it simply overshadows every other department of this effort except all-rounder performance with almost spontaneous and contagious dancing of Farhan, he has evolved more as an intense actor than the most sensible director he used to be at times. Pavan Malhotra, Divya Datta and Japtej Singh (Childhood) have done full justice to their significant roles and other supporting cast except Milkha's Father (Art Malik) could be forgotten easily. Sonam Kapoor, as usual, couldn't do much of yet another golden opportunity and manages to look comfortable under the skin of 'Biro'- Milkha's first lover. All in all, you can go for it if you are a social person who is supposed to be updated and knows-it-all types and even enjoy it for some part, still it will be audacious to call it a classic or even a must-watch, unless you are the sentimental types relating everything in the cinema to your own life!