Milkha Singh said Jawaharlal Nehru ‘manipulated' him to go to Pakistan after Partition horrors, recalls Dalip Tahil: ‘He changed my life'
In a recent interaction with Red FM Podcasts, Dalip shared that he had asked Bhaag Milkha Bhaag's team to arrange a meeting with Milkha Singh, as the athlete was the only one who had actually met Jawaharlal Nehru. The actor believed that hearing about Nehru from Milkha himself would help him portray the leader more authentically on the big screen. 'Jawaharlal Nehru had a big role in Milkha Singh's life and I got to know about it after meeting the athlete himself,' Dalip shared.
Dalip Tahil recalled Milkha Singh confiding in him that he didn't want to go to Pakistan after being invited to take part in the 200m event at an international athletic competition in Lahore in 1960. The athlete, who was born in what is now the Pakistan side of Punjab, had witnessed the brutalities of Partition up close — Milkha Singh's parents and siblings were killed during the Partition — and he was reluctant to return to Lahore 13 years after the traumatic event. However, Milkha told Dalip that it was former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who convinced him to take the trip in order to help ease tense relations between the two nations.
Opening up about the meeting, Dalip Tahil said, 'Milkha Singh talked to me for 4 hours and we spoke a lot about Jawaharlal Nehru. He told me, 'I didn't want to go back to Pakistan but Prime Minister Pandit Nehru told me to go and he manipulated me by making me the Captain of the team.' Nehru wanted a civilian with a stature to visit Pakistan at that time to amend the bridges, he didn't want to send a politician. Nehru knew what had happened with Milkha ji during partition, so to get him to go back there, he convinced him by making him the Captain. Milkha Singh couldn't say no to Nehru.' Dalip went on to say, 'Milkha Singh told me that he was treated so well in Pakistan. He said, 'I couldn't believe the contrast.''
Dalip also shared a hilarious anecdote. He said, 'After winning the medal in Pakistan, when Milkha came back home, Nehru ji asked him 'what reward you want?' and he responded, 'I want leaves.'' Dalip recalled Milkha Singh's wife's reaction and said, 'She quipped, 'If he would have asked for 100 acres of land, we would have had so much land by now,'' Dalip recalled, adding, 'Milkha Singh told me that Jawaharlal Nehru changed his life.'
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
THIS ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' star charged just Rs 11 as fees; director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra reveals why
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra 's 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', one of the most celebrated biopics made in Bollywood, completed its 12th anniversary this year. The 2013 film, which chronicled the inspiring life of Indian sprinter Milkha Singh , featured Farhan Akhtar in a career-defining role. Made on a budget of Rs 41 crore, the film went on to even win an impressive 55 awards at both national and international award shows. While Akhtar's performance and dedication to his role bowled over fans and critics alike, it was another gesture by one of the film's cast members that won appreciation. At a time when actors are in the news for charging whopping fees exceeding Rs 50 to Rs 100 crore, back in 2013, one star on Mehra's cast did the unthinkable and charged a fee of just Rs 11. Rs 11 Paycheque This star was none other than the lead actress, Sonam Kapoor . The actress, who appeared in a brief but pivotal role as Biro, a character who alters Milkha's emotional journey, charged a nominal fee, surprising even the director. In an earlier interview with Bombay Times, director Mehra revealed the circumstances that led to this remuneration. He said, 'I approached Sonam and told her clearly that she would be in the film for about 15 minutes. I wasn't sure if her character would appear in the trailer or the poster,' he recalled. 'She listened and said, 'The film must be made, and I'll charge you a bomb.' Later, her contract arrived — and the fee was just Rs 11 as shagun. She brought great dignity to the part.' Film's Enduring Relevance Looking back on the film's enduring relevance, he reflected on its historical and emotional resonance. 'Some stories don't fade out; they mature with time. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is one of them. It's timeless, not topical,' he said. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag also starred Divya Dutta, Pawan Malhotra , and Yograj Singh in key roles.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Made for Rs 41 crore, this 2013 blockbuster won 55 awards, actress charged only Rs 11 as fee, movie name was...
In 2013, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag stormed into cinemas, leaving audiences inspired and critics applauding. Directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, this biopic drama chronicled the life of legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, brought to life by Farhan Akhtar in what is still considered one of his most iconic performances. A story that won 55 awards According to IMDb, the film didn't just win hearts, it collected a staggering 55 awards, including 6 Filmfare Awards. Farhan Akhtar won Best Actor, while the film also bagged Best Film. Its global appeal was reflected in the 14 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards it secured, along with two prestigious National Awards. The role that cost just Rs 11 While Farhan's performance dominated headlines, Sonam Kapoor's understated portrayal of Biro also left a mark. In a surprising revelation, IMDb notes that Sonam accepted a symbolic fee of just Rs 11 for her role, a gesture that became part of the film's lore. Why Bhaag Milkha Bhaag still resonates? With an IMDb rating of 8.2, the film remains a favourite for fans of inspiring sports dramas. Its blend of heartfelt storytelling, powerful performances, and a rousing soundtrack ensured its place in the history of Indian cinema. Where to watch Bhaag Milkha Bhaag? For those yet to experience its magic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is available to rent or purchase on YouTube. Whether you're revisiting it or watching for the first time, the film remains as moving as it was a decade ago.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Time of India
Exclusive: Stories like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag don't fade, they mature with time, says Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra As Bhaag Milkha Bhaag turns 12, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra looks back at the film's journey, relevance and longevity in an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times. 'I grew up in Delhi idolising Milkha Singh, Dara Singh and Dhyan Chand. They were our Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Milkhaji didn't have shoes at one point, so he ran barefoot. I identified with it because our whole generation grew up without having proper facilities' What makes Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (BMB) relevant even today? Some stories don't fade out. They mature with time. Samay ke saath aur gaadha ho jata hai. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is one of them. The story is timeless not topical, so it does not lose its relevance with time. I always wanted to tell a story weaved around the partition of the country and in Milkha Singh's biography, I found that. Besides being the first biopic made on a sportsman in our country, there were two tracks in the film. One was Milkha Singh's journey, and the other was one of the most seminal point in modern Indian history -- the partition of India. The plot and the character are intertwined in each other. They coexist because of each other. I am glad it's re-releasing in theatres on August 8. Certain films are meant for the big screen. We should develop a culture of revisiting our classics. Not just for business, but legacy. That's more important for me. Why did you want to tell a story that was woven around the Partition? The partition is a seminal point because millions were celebrating the independence of the country, and millions were suffering the partition. I was born in the 60s. I grew up listening to both horrific and beautiful stories of partition. They left an indelible mark on me. When I entered college, we shifted to a colony in Delhi which was given to refugees of partition, and they rebuilt their lives from scratch there. Everybody had come from Pakistan there. I used to hear their stories of how they loved their land. Vatan aur desh mein farak hota hai (sentimentally). A Sindhi will consider Sindh as his land. A Punjabi will consider Punjab as his vatan and three-fourth of Punjab is in Pakistan. Borderline politics is another thing. I see myself through the lens of human beings. I don't see it from the lens of aaj kal kya ho raha hai, log kya soch rahe hain. I am drawn to common man. Ek aam aadmi kya kar raha hai, kya soch raha hai, uske sukh-dukh kya hai. What moves them is very important for me. As a filmmaker, you get to choose your gaze and mine is human. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Farhan Akhtar on set of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag While the story belongs to Milkha Singh, it also resonates with your past. Tell us about that. It is a story of have-nots. Milkha had nothing to lose. When you don't come from privilege and you make it, that resonates with me a lot. I grew up in Delhi. I used to swim and play cricket in the National Stadium. Before my time, Milkha Singh, Dara Singh and Dhyan Chand used to practise there. We grew up on these three names. They were our Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Milkhaji didn't have shoes at one point and ran barefoot. We all identified with it because our entire generation grew up without having proper facilities. I come from a lower middle-class family. I could relate to characters who were thrilled when they got to wear a Team India blazer like Milkhaji did. He won his first race for a glass of milk and two eggs. He didn't win to make a world record or become a great athlete. I have practiced swimming because at the end of the practice section, we would get a glass of warm milk with Horlicks and two boiled eggs. It was great breakfast and that too for free. This is everybody's story in India. The late Milkha Singh on sets of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag At three hours and six minutes, the film's duration was much talked about. In hindsight, would you make any changes in terms of length or otherwise? It was a difficult story to mount because everyone said where is the romance, hero is just running. Where is the action? Athletics kaun dekhta hai India mein? Saare sawaal sahi thay. But it was important for me to prove the detractors wrong. If I didn't believe in what I made, I wouldn't make it in the first place. Pacing derives its essence from the story and how it is told. A length of the film is the length that works. A two-hour film can feel long and a three-and-a-half-hour film, can seem perfect. Look at the modern-day epics like Avatar, Oppenheimer, Brutalist (3 hours, 34 minutes). Lagaan, was longer than these at 3 hours and 44 minutes. When you're enjoying a movie, you are completely lost in that world and time flies. This whole length concern came from distribution. It never came from the audience or critics. It was a distribution thing because they believed they could pack one more show if a film is shorter. Longer films mean lesser shows and perhaps lesser business, but they are totally mistaken. All these films including Milkha dismissed that notion. Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, still from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag The casting of the film was one of its highlights. Take us through that process. If you cast the right actor for the right job, that's half the battle won. Every journalist has asked me if Farhan Akhtar was my first choice to play Milkha. He was the right choice. Let me put it like that. His eyes reminded me of Milka sir. They have the same intensity and depth, the way he looks at you. Farhan doesn't have many lines in the film because his eyes speak. We bumped into the club almost every day. I knew he's an athlete. He's good on the treadmill. He's good at sports. He's kept himself fit. So, the getting into shape part I knew he will cross the bridge. It was painful for him to go through that body transformation process in 18 months, but pain is a part of sports. Rishabh Pant met with an accident. He was out of action for a year. Look at the way he's bounced back. It's not a miracle. It's a story of inspiration and determination. When you're playing a character like Milkha, something intangible happens to you. Farhan didn't play the role. He became the part which is my brief to all my actors. Don't play yourself. Play the part. 'Sonam only charged Rs11 for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' 'When I approached Sonam Kapoor , I clearly told her she would appear for 15 minutes. Her character changes Milkha's life by making him question his choices. I told her she won't appear later in the film, and I don't know if she will appear in the trailer or the poster. She heard me out and said the film must be made, and she will charge me a bomb for it. I told her bata dena fees, koshish karenge. Her contract came, and she had only charged me `11 as a shagun. She brought so much dignity to the part. '
