I never tried to impersonate Milkha Singh: Farhan Akhtar

I never tried to impersonate Milkha Singh: Farhan Akhtar
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 13:17 IST
Actor Farhan Akhtar, who plays legendary sportsman Milkha Singh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', says it was a huge responsibility to take up the iconic role and he has not tried to mimic the sprinter

"To do a role like this you have to interpret the character as you don't want to go into impersonation of somebody or do mimicry act. You have to make the character your own for that you have to start becoming that person.

I did focus on this aspect," Farhan told in an interview. Also, while working on this mega project, Farhan met the 'Flying Singh' and observed him closely. "I had couple of meetings with him where I just heard him speak about his life and did not want to ask him any specific questions.

To hear someone talk about their life - you get to know the way their eyes moisten up, how big the smile is or how comfortable their body language is while talking to someone. So that is how you pick up things and you focus on when you act," he said.


"To do this character was a serious responsibility as that is the big thing. To say whether it was difficult or easy is subjective because when you are excited about something no matter how hard it is it becomes fun and easy.

There was a huge responsibility to play Milkhaji," Farhan said. Considering, the film is a biopic on the sportsman, so most of the creative inputs mainly came from him and the writers to which Farhan was not privy.

To look the part, Farhan built an admirable athletic body besides long hair and beard pushing himself beyond limitations. He was religiously following a fitness regime that athletes follow for two years. He has reportedly been through various training sessions, which only sport-persons undergo.

The actor-filmmaker insists when Milkha Singh would watch this film he would will feel proud as they have stood by Singh's philosophy which was to push himself, work against almost all odds and achieve the kind of status that he has, in the film. The film Aso stars Sonam Kapoor and the makers are looking for a July 12 release this year.

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old has been roped as the brand ambassador by electronics maker Intex Technologies for its range of smartphones. Farhan is a gadget freak and his work keeps him heavily dependent on technology.


"As filmmaking involves lot of technology. So fortunately because of that you have to stay interested, try and stay ahead of everything as it is beneficial," he said.
‘Stardom pushes you to do better’ - says global star Ram Charan

In a recent interaction, global star Ram Charan opened up about stardom as he reflected on its impact on his work and his approach...

Saturday, January 13, 2024
Nehha Pendse opens up about her new show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai!

The well-known talented actor Neha Pendse has entertained her audience through her magnificent performances in several Bollywood...

Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Kanwar Grewal in a tete a tete with Roopam Singh on farmers' demonstrations and latest release!

For over 3 months, farmers have been in revolt. While it was a slow-starting, after two to three months, separate unions...

Saturday, January 09, 2021
Exclusive interview of Harf Cheema by Roopam Singh on farmers' protests!

Farmers have been in a protest for over 3 months. Though the start of this protest was slow, various unions started marches towards the...

Thursday, December 31, 2020
I rejected Sacred Games initially as I had no idea how web series worked: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Catch the entire episode of Royal Stag Barrel Short Large Films on Saturday, 2nd January 2021 on Zee Cafe...

Tuesday, December 29, 2020