Athlete Milkha Singh is happy that actor Farhan Akhtar is playing the lead part in "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", a biopic on his life.

"In my initial interactions with Farhan, I realised he is the best man for the role. He has the same determination and grit as me. Farhan is the best choice for the film," Milkha Singh said in a press statement.

Milkha Singh has been interacting and chatting with Farhan for over a few months and has become very fond of him.

Recently at an event in Chandigarh, Milkha Singh handed over his 1960 Rome Olympic spikes to Farhan in the presence of his family.

Singh's son Jeev said: "I couldn't have imagined anyone else apart from Farhan to play my father. In my first couple of interactions, I felt internally he is a sportsman. Acting may be his profession, but he is true sportsman in spirit."

The film is directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.