Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - Trailer Trash Talk

Lalit: Bhaagh Milkha Bhaagh, the first time I heard that, I had no idea what the movie was about or who was producing it. The first thought that came to mind was "Run Forrest Run". I gave it some thought and eventually made the connection to Milkha Singh, the Flying Sikh.

I did a bit of reading and learnt that Farhan Akhtar would be living in Milkha Singh's skin in the movie. But that was about it. I had forgotten about the production until I saw the teaser a few weeks ago.

The teaser instantly made me want more, and finally, on the 19th of June, the first trailer was officially published on YouTube.

Tarun: There are quite a few movies named this way. Run ___ Run

Lalit: Excitedly, I clicked on the link, and was spammed with a trailer of Ramaiya Vastavaiya before my video was ready to be played. I have never been so impatient for that Skip button on YouTube. And you only have to wait five seconds for it. But enough about that.

The trailer - first and foremost, when will Bollywood learn to cut proper trailers? It felt like watching a short movie. From start to finish.

Of course, the real star of the trailer was Milkha Singh and Farhan Akhtar. That was the intention. But what really stood out for me more than Farhan's portrayal of Milkha Singh was Binod Pradhan's cinematography. I uttered the word "woah" more than once just because how beautifully some scenes were shot.

If that wasn't enough, Mehra decided to add a sort of "sand" coloured tint to the film. I cannot tell you how excited I am about that. I have not seen this technique used much in Bollywood, but it is an amazing tool to add or enhance the mood and emotion of the film.

Just brilliant.

Coming to the actors. I have always believed, and on a few occasions might have even mentioned to Varun, that I think Farhan Akhtar is a better writer/director than he is an actor. I'm not insinuating that he is a bad actor, but I will leave my judgments about him only after I watch the movie. Sonam Kapoor is, well, Sonam Kapoor. Like I have done in the past, I will try to forget she is in the movie. I hope she proves me wrong though. The Indian film industry needs good actors. The more the merrier.

Lastly, the final shot when he is running across the screen, the super slo-mo shot, with the camera lens focussed on the crossing thread and Milkha Singh cuts across it - instant classic.

The music, the intensity, the sense of accomplishment, the agression, everything captured so well in just that one little fraction of a second.

Yes, Run Fatboy Run comes to mind (referring back to Tarun’s comment)

To conclude, the trailer has definitely piqued my interest and I will be watching this movie in the first week of release.

Tarun: Yea the visuals look truly amazing. Rakesh Mehra surprised me with his last two films and I'm waiting to be surprised again.

Varun: Any idea why AR Rahman is not in this one? Though Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy did a fine job, seems like it.

Tarun: The music is out and it’s good. I've been listening to Mera Yaar on loop for some time now. I think Rahman was busy with some other project.

Lalit: Yeah, other project = Raanjhana.

Varun: I've been listening to maston ka jhund. Do you think that or is it Farhan Akhtar influence?

Tarun: Rahman is doing Imtiaz's Highway also, along with a couple of south projects.

Lalit: And Raanjhana.

Tarun: Hahahaha.

Raanjhanaa's music was good. I stand by the music.

Lalit: Haha, the first good thing I hear about the movie.

Tarun: The only thing that I didn't like about the trailer is that Farhan is going to bring his brand of humour into this film. It worked in ZNMD but feels a bit out of place here.

Lalit: Oh yeah absolutely. I just hope Mehra controlled that enough to make sure it wasn't too overwhelming. In such a movie, it could create a sense of awkwardness.

But do you think most of the people will be just okay with that?

Varun: His brand of humor is a very upmarket one which kind of reflects his bringing up. It wouldn't be required in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. If you see in Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, or Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara, it is repetitive and boring.

Lalit: True, the novelty runs out very quickly.

Varun: And the character is different to what he has played before and he should be out if his comfort zone to play this. However I have no doubts he would achieve it. Saying that not being the greatest fan of Farhan Akhtar.

Tarun: Ya, but he's growing as an actor. Each performance better than the last. He's not the best. But he's doing pretty good so far. Choosing all the right projects. He's actually turning out to be a better actor than director. His directing graph is going downhill from DCH to Lakshya to Don to Don 2.

Lalit: Don and Don 2 were directed by Farhan Akhtar's twin evil brother.

Tarun: Hahahaha.

Don was still decent. And I've come to terms that he might never direct a better film than Dil Chahta Hai.

Done with this? Anything more to add?

Lalit: Yes. Kareena dies in Don. That was Varun's favourite scene

Varun: Yes.

Shut up NO

Lalit: Haha, we're done