Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag accomplished 10 years of its launch final month, and it set to re-release in theatres on August 6. Calling it a special occasion, actor Dalip Tahil, who essayed the position of former PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru within the Farhan Akhtar-starrer, will get nostalgic sharing his heartwarming encounter with the late legendary athlete Milkha Singh.
“I had fully prepared for Nehru’s role before heading for the shoot and that thanks to our director, I had the privilege of meeting Milkha Singh and his family at their home in Chandigarh,” remembers Tahil, who fondly remembers Milkha as a “very simple, down-to-earth, and a quiet person — a gem of a man. The warm memories of Milkha ji and his gracious wife have left an enduring impression on my heart.”
On how the assembly, which was initially meant for half-an-hour, ended up being an “enlightening” four-hour dialog, the 70-year-old goes on to element the truth that Milkha, also called the Flying Sikh, shared a particular bond with Nehru ji, as he was the one individual within the set-up who had met the chief in individual.
“When Milkha was selected to represent India in a track meet in Pakistan, it was Pandit Nehru himself who appointed him as the captain of the team, sending him off to Pakistan,” Tahil continues, “Milkha ji was initially sceptical about meeting Pandit Nehru due to the trauma he had faced during the partition. But Nehru Ji’s charisma and power of persuasion had a profound impact on Milkha ji, healing the wounds of partition and inspiring him to lead the Indian team with pride.”
Seeking an perception into Nehru ji’s persona, the veteran actor requested Milkha Singh to share some anecdotes from his assembly the previous PM, which the actor admits had a constructive impression on his portrayal within the movie.
“Milkha ji described Pandit Nehru as a very charming and charismatic man… There was a moment when Milkha Singh, after winning the race in Pakistan, was offered anything he desired by Nehru Ji. He humbly responded and asked for a national holiday, as he never asked anything for himself from anyone in his life. His essence lied in selflessness and commitment to his sport, making him an iconic national hero,” shares the actor.
The movie’s authenticity and dedication to preserving Milkha Singh’s legacy is attributed to his son, golfer Jeev Milkha Singh. “Despite several lucrative offers from prominent Indian producers, Jeev’s priority was to keep his father’s legacy pure and unblemished. He wanted to get his essence out and keep his legacy intact, so anyone who watches the film knows what Milkha ji’s true personality was,” concludes Tahil.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com