The film itself is well intentioned and shines a light on an important figure. But it’s too long and too unfocused to leave a lasting impression. I’m going with two-and-a-half out of five for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Watch it for Farhan Akhtar’s sincere performance.

As it has turned out, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is more the overlong, overblown Singing-Dancing-Flying Sikh, than just the triumphal, true Flying Sikh.

Put on your patience caps for three hours, and try it. There’s enough bang for the bucks here.

For a film about sprinting and clocking shortest timings possible, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag moves at a snail’s pace and goes on for over 3 hours. And while the protagonist purportedly possesses tremendous focus, the film seems to lack that very quality.

It is very rare to see a Bollywood actor this committed to his/ her role, to totally become someone else. I wish I could find any other reason to recommend Mehra’s three-plus hour film that attempts to be an epic, but is really thin in plot and goes in so many different directions before it finally solves the so-called mystery: Why would Milkha Singh not run in Pakistan?

One can well imagine the huge wave of disappointment that would have assailed the nation when, at the 1960 Rome Olympics, the legendary Milkha Singh missed a medal in a photo-finish. Over half a century later, the overstuffed cinematic re-enactment of that 400 metres race and the historical and biographical events leading up to it is no less of a downer.

Cinematography is ace (Binod Pradhan); the music (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy) heightens the drama. Prasoon’s writing is powerful, lyrics are pure poetry and emotions robustly sweep the scenes with few dialogues. While there’s a lot to marvel at, a hint of the director’s over-indulgence in the art, results in a long ‘runtime’ and prolonged scenes that distract.

“Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” could have been an inspiring, uplifting film about one man’s journey, but Mehra botches it up completely.

Sport has enough inherent drama. All he had to do was show that. Mehra chose to play games instead, and ruined it.

I recommend a national holiday for the entire nation to go and see this movie. It makes the other recent high-profile acclaimed films look hopelessly inadequate.

Some lives are made for the big screen. Milkha Singh’s certainly is one. It has everything. Finally, Mehra proves that it is possible to make a good biopic while the events that transpired are still relevant and the characters involved are still alive.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag will have you captivated with its grit and enigma. Made with panache, it’s hard to take your eyes off Farhan Akhtar, who enriches Milkha Singh as a surreal charismatic figure beyond the realms of flesh and blood! I am going with a 4/5 and applause for the film’s team. This one is so moving and scintillating that such films are a reward to the audiences for bearing through the fiascoes!

Go and run with Milkha. In this fast-paced life, this race will definitely soothe your senses. I promise you.

BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG is sure to win accolades, admiration, respect and esteem, besides emerging as a champ. Reserve the applause for Milkha Singh and the team behind BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG. Give it a standing ovation!

The film may belong to Akthar, but in the final analysis it is the work of a director in complete control of his material, and his craft. Mehra has helmed ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ into a compelling story and an exemplar of cinematic brilliance; that it is also an inspiring tale almost seems to be a by-product.

. It’s brutally honest in telling a great sporting story. Watch this film to realise greatness doesn’t lie in winning but in picking up the gauntlet. Taking a challenge. Working hard. That is true inspiration.

What works for the movie apart from Farhan is the sports theme, the races, which give you that ‘live’ stadium feel, and the moments of brilliance in between.

What goes against the film is its length. It clocks 3 hours eight minutes. There are unwanted songs (two of them) that pull the narrative in the opposite direction. Apart from that, the picturisation of the song when Milkha comes to meet Sonam is confusing. Something you saw in the eighties when fillers were needed to mask a poor script.

Not for a moment undermining his efforts, I would like to call this as a serious case of miscasting. Farhan’s body language and diction seemed too ‘posh’ to have been brought up in the rustic conditions that Milkha Singh was. In fact, the boy who played younger Milkha was far more believable. A tad unfair comparison maybe, but Irrfan’s effortlessly believable portrayal of ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ kept coming back to me.

I recommend a national holiday for the entire nation to go and see this movie. It makes the other recent high-profile acclaimed films look hopelessly inadequate.

Cinematographer Binod Pradhan indulges in riveting imaginary to capture Milkha’s haunting memories of a past bloodied during the Indo-Pak Partition.

Though some of the cinematography is stunning, and practicing gymnasts and torso enthusiasts will love Akhtar’s exceptional physique, it’s neither riveting entertainment nor smart filmmaking for the rest of us.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag will have an eventful run at the cinemas and will turn out to be a richly rewarding film for all concerned. Its undue length will adversely affect collections to an extent and will, therefore, tell on the box-office results but it will still prove to be a very paying proposal. Business in the big cities and good multiplexes will be excellent.

‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ may not impress an average moviegoer, for it comes across as a very slow film. But it will certainly leave you with a sense of pride for having the legendary athlete as a fellow countryman.

If you are a patriotic Indian, you will be left teary eyed and your head held high.

At three hours and nine minutes, it’s the longest biopic in a generation in India [just two minutes shorter than Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi]. But Bhaag Milkha Bhaag doesn’t numb the bum. Instead, you might find yourself sitting comfortably through this one because you finally have an Indian story you can applaud without apology.

BMB deserves every ounce of praise for the filmmakers’ conviction on display. When you’re done watching Rakyesh Omprakash’s epic effort, you’ll come out of the theater wanting to run. And be a better person. This, right here, is the film’s ultimate victory.