Today's generation will become aware of me, says Milkha Singh

Mumbai: Legendary sportsman Milkha Singh feels today's generation will know about his contribution and achievements in the field of sports primarily due to an upcoming film based on his life titled 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.

The trailer and music of 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' was launched late this evening at a suburban multiplex by the star cast of the film -- Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor and director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra.

The highlight of the event was Milkha Singh himself, who was there to launch the trailer.

"I am sure people of my age and my era are aware of me but today's generation might not know much about me so through this film they will come to know. And I am glad today's generation and the coming generation will be aware of who was Milkha Singh," Singh told reporters here at the promotional event of the film.

The film stars Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh and Sonam Kapoor is paired opposite him in the film.

It was not only director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra who was keen on making a film on Singh, there were other directors as well. But it was Singh's son Jeev told him to allow Mehra to make the film.

"My son loves watching Hindi cinema every day whenever he comes back he watch atleast one Hindi film. And he happened to see Rang De Basanti so he chose him," Singh said.

Singh reveals he is not an ardent fan of films, the last films he saw was in 1960. Hence he has not much knowledge about any director or actor.

"Today I know who is Farhan Akhtar because wherever I have gone everyone told me that he has done a great job and he became Milkha Singh to play this character," he said.

Walking down memory lane, Singh spoke about the incidents that will always remain etched in his mind. "In my life there are few incidents which I will never forget and one of them is the moment when I lost Rome Olympic medal. Till death I will remember that and before I die I want someone else to win that medal for India," he added.

Another incident Singh remembered was the tragic death of his parents during the India-Pakistan partition.

"It was Pandit Jawarhal Nehru who told me that in sport we should not bring hate. When I went there I saw a car full of decoration at Wagah Border. Abdul Khalid was a Pakistani player who lost a match from me and they challenged me to make him lose on their homeland. I won the match in Pakistan," Singh said.

Singh claims it were the people of Pakistan who gave me the tag of "Flying Sikh" and that we all should be thankful to Pakistan for that.