Cast of biopic 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' launch its music in Mumbai

The cast of the forthcoming Bollywood film, 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' and former Olympian Milkha Singh launched the music of the latter's biopic here on Thursday.

The movie, which is based on life of Milkha Singh, has actor Farhan Akhtar don the turban and playing the role of the protagonist.

Milkha Singh, also known as the Flying Sikh, came in fourth in the 400 metres at the 1960 Rome Olympics, while winning gold medals at the 1958 Commonwealth Games, 1958 and 1962 Asian Games.

The film attempts to understand a catastrophic loss of a sure victory and explores through the darkness of disgrace and Milkha's redemption.

The recovery and catharsis come when he confronts his past.

Rakesh Omprakash Mehra has directed the film.

Mehra stresses that the film cannot be deemed as a 'sports movie' as it goes beyond the track records held by Singh.

Akhtar said: "This is a very special story about a man whose tale had to be told to everyone, this is the story of an inspiration India and in today's time, I feel sometimes that the national pride in people needs to be re-inspired and such a story serve as an really important source for such a thing."

Milkha Singh, 77, applauded Akhtar for portraying him to the minutest of detail. The actor has been getting wide appreciation for toning his physique and his looks to match a young Milkha Singh.

"When I was young, during my running days, my physique, my running style, everything he copied and now everyone says to me, when I go to London or America or any place, everyone says that the actor has done a remarkable job and he looks completely like you. This is a big achievement. I have been meeting him here in Mumbai and I know that he was an athlete in school. He copied my exact running style, the way I used to sand-run, the way I used to hill-run, my starting stance, he learned everything," said Milkha Singh.

The music of the movie is composed by the trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, while the movie also stars Sonam Kapoor, Prakash Raj and Pawan Malhotra.

'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is scheduled to hit the silver screens on July 12.