I proudly dedicate this post to Milkha Singh and to the cast & crew of the film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
This
post is my compilation of the 25 Lessons that I Saw & I Learnt from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the
2013 Hindi Film.
Directed
by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is based on an interpretation of
the life of Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete who was a world champion runner and
an Olympian. The ‘Flying Sikh’ won with élan- 77 of the 80 races he ran! The
film shows the Blood, Sweat, Tears that went into shaping the Champion and how
the Legend earned his place under the sun.
Bhaag
Milkha Bhaag film has the following lessons for you and me-
1-Be
honest about your background, dare to show your true colours, be real like Coal
“Koyla
Kaala Hai, Chattano ne Paala Hai; Andar Kaala Baahar Kaala, Pur Sachcha Hai
Saala”
–
Prasoon Joshi, Lyricist, Screenplay & Story-Writer of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
(Coal is Tough & Black- both inside & outside; but, it’s Real &
Honest)
2-Just
set goals by deciding what you want at that point of time & then run for
the purpose!
Milkha
Singh runs to attain different goals at different phases of his life. At first,
young Milkha runs in the blazing sun on the hot sands from school just to reach
home early. Then, he runs for his life, at the behest of his father, to escape
from the horse-rider-attackers during India’s partition. He runs after he beats
up his brother-in-law. He runs to dodge getting caught stealing coal from the
train. He runs in the Army Cross Country Race as he wants the privilege of
earning a mug full of Milk, 2 eggs & pardon from exercise! He runs for
India's Blazer & for his self-respect. He runs for the Medals and for
making India proud...
3-Success
needs Inspiration, Support, And Expert Training & Guidance
Milkha
Singh’s ladylove, Biro, inspires him to earn an honest living and ‘become
somebody’ in his life. His sister, Isri Kaur, is always a pillar of strength
for him; even sells her ear-rings to bail him out. His friend does not
‘disturb’ his training to inform Milkha about Biro’s wedding. Milkha Singh’s
coaches, Gurudev Singh and Ranveer Singh play the part of the jewelers who recognize
his worth & shape the gem!
4-Earn
things for your need; don’t even try or eye other’s belongings with greed
Milkha
Singh falls in love at first sight with India’s Blazer. He understands that it
exudes respect. However, just because he checks out the Champion, Sher Singh
Rana’s Blazer, Milkha Singh is attacked, his clothes are ripped off and he is
humiliated. His Coach/Guruji Gurudev Singh slaps him and tells him that he
can’t get it “ainvaye”(just like that), he has to work hard and earn it!
5-Nothing
is impossible to the mind that believes!
After
the humiliation, when his Guruji challenges him if he can defeat the current
champion, Milkha Singh expresses unflinching confidence & faith. His Guruji
assures him that he can beat 100s of such champions!
6-Life
is not a bed of roses, there are thorns & stones
In
the first race for the Blazer, Milkha Singh loses as a stone on the track
severely injures his bare feet. Yet, his effort & talent gets noticed by
the Superiors and he is selected for the main race. His Guruji tells him that
he has to train in such a way that no ‘Kankad-Patthar’ (stone) can harm
him.
7-Learn to get used to and make
friends with challenges with time
Milkha
Singh is uncomfortable in his new pair of Sports Shoes. Milkha Singh wants to
run barefoot rather than struggle with the Shoes! Coach Ranveer Singh says, “Aaj
Jinse Lad Rahe Ho, Kal Wo Acche Dost Honge” (With what you are struggling
today, they will be your good friends tomorrow).
8-Real champion is the one who
wins fair and square
Perhaps
believing ‘All is fair in love and war’, the Indian record-holder and his gang
attack Milkha Singh the night before the all-important race. However, undaunted
by physical pain or Coach’s advice, Milkha Singh still runs, breaks the National
record and proves who the real champion is!
9-Learn
to let go and move on
On
realizing that his ladylove was married, Milkha Singh’s dream of a future with
her is shattered. Milkha Singh lets go off the pretty red Dupatta, the gift he
had bought for Biro. Such a symbolic moment when ‘Hawa mein udta jaye, laal
dupatta mulmul ka…’ Close the chapter and just keep running- “Bas Tu
Bhaag Milkha”.
10-No one can harm the one whom God
protects
Milkha
Singh makes the observation “Jake Rakhe Saiyan Maar Sake Na Koyi” aboard
his first flight as he is scared! But, this is true for his entire life. He is
saved while almost his entire family is wiped out during Partition. He survives
attacks from jealous contenders and also from his severe training.
11-No
need to act smart to impress anyone. Be yourself- People will still fall in
love with you & be your fan!
Milkha
Singh is his real simple and innocent self when he’s in Australia. He doesn’t
even understand English answering “Milkha Singh” when asked if he’s “relaxing”!
Still, his Australian Technical Coach’s grand-daughter, Stella takes an instant
fancy to him.
12-Accept
mistakes & learn from failures & defeats; Use them as strengths to
succeed & win & attain great feats
Milkha
Singh loses the qualifying race in 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He realizes that
losing focus and spending time with Stella for personal pleasure didn’t help
him to win the race.
13-Champions
train when the world sleeps
One
night, a Senior Officer spots Milkha Singh running with the purpose- practicing
to get selected! When everyone in the aircraft, on way back home from Australia, is
asleep, Milkha Singh wakes his Coach up to know what the World Record timing
for 400 metres race is.
14-Success
is not easy- needs years of hard-work, focus, courage, grit, discipline,
perseverance, sacrifice, passion, perspiration, dedication, determination…
Milkha
Singh starts out by seriously working out and wringing his sweat into a Mug and
soon graduates to doing the same using a Bucket! His Coach, Ranveer Singh says,
a sportsperson needs ‘Jazbaat, Discipline, Tapasya’ (Passion,
Discipline, Penance) He adopts extreme pressure with intense training everyday!
Vomiting blood and collapsing in exhaustion don’t stop him from getting up
& tirelessly running with a ‘tyre’ tied around his waist, skipping with
weights attached to his legs, running over hills…
15-Success
needs 100% Attention & Concentration & 0% Distraction & Temptation!
Milkha
Singh does not reciprocate the feelings of Perizaad, a female National Swimming
Champion. He frankly tells her what his aim is.
16-Be
Grateful, Humble & Grounded even after Success
Milkha
Singh gifts his sister new gold ear-rings to express gratitude as she had sold
her previous ones for him. After his wins, Milkha Singh touches the feet of his
Coaches acknowledging their key roles in his life. Out of respect, he even
makes his Coach Gurudev Singh wear his medal, showing that his Coach deserves
it & is responsible for his win!
17-India
comes first. Learn to put our Country’s pride & honour above
individual-interest
Milkha
Singh is in a moral dilemma about visiting Pakistan for the Indo-Pak Peace
Friendly Games. Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru’s explanation convinces him to gain
strength to confront his past and lead the Indian Contingent.
18-Pride
comes before a fall
This
is a universal truth- border no bar! We find how both Indian (Sher Singh Rana)
& Pakistan (Abdul Khaliq) champions lose to Milkha Singh! Sher Singh Rana
is too proud of his India’s Blazer and tells Milkha Singh,“Humare jaise kuch
Champions ko milta hai”(Some Champions like me get this.) Abdul
Khaliq is cocksure about his win in the press-conference in Pakistan!
19-Records
are meant to be broken
Milkha
Singh is determined to better the World Record for 400 metres. He burns the
Air-India Tissue-paper on which his coach has written “45.9” seconds. This is
symbolic to break the mental-block that the figure might have. He achieves his
target by clocking 45.8 seconds!
20-Success
is the best revenge
In
spite of his Guruji’s pleas, Milkha Singh does not even name or complain
against the ‘Champion’ runner & his friends who harm him before the
important selection-race. Rather, he turns up at the race to shock the same
people & lower their face! Pakistan’s Coach and star-player, Abdul Khaliq
try to hurtfully ignite Milkha’s past Pak-links and emotions. Milkha Singh does
not say anything in retaliation! He just runs in races & lets his wins
speak!
21-Talent
is honored everywhere, irrespective of Borders
An
astounded Pakistan’s President, General Ayub Khan, proudly presents the title
of ‘The Flying Sikh’ to Milkha Singh. He tells Milkha Singh, "You didn't
run today, you flew." Good performance wins over hearts of all, on any
side of the Border!
22-Don’t
turn back. Run races focusing on the finish-line
During
India’s Partition, when the killers on horseback attack them, Milkha Singh’s
father says-‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and asks him not to turn back. Still, Milkha
Singh turns to see the unfortunate slaughtering of his father. In the 1960 Rome
Olympics, this turning back costs Milkha Singh & India an Olympic medal.
23-We
can’t choose from where we originate from, but we can choose where we wish to
head to
Milkha
Singh’s story from modest origins in a tiny village, Gobindpura, is proof that
with hope, confidence and effort, we can go a long way, stay ahead, attain
international fame and live life fully!
24-Share
lessons and experiences to inspire the world
Milkha
Singh is a noble soul to have shared his true-life-story, knowing fully well
that it may be scrutinized and criticized. However, it serves as a wealth of
learning for all. If we learn from his experience and adopt “Hardwork,
Willpower & Dedication”, we too can make our lives a success. Hats off to
you, Milkha Singh!
25-“Lives
of great men all remind us that we can make our lives sublime...And departing
leave behind us footprints on the sands of time…”
Farhan
Akhtar ably portrays the character of Milkha Singh by actually following Milkha
Singh’s above principles! The film shows how an actor can so convincingly step
into the shoes of a legend onscreen by literally ‘stretching’ himself and
strenuously ‘working out’ for the role…2500 ab crunches a day to play Milkha!
Small wonder, Milkha Singh complimented him, “Every nuance, every mannerism is
right. You have become Milkha Singh!” Congratulations, Farhan Akhtar!
