‘My father’s story will inspire many’

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Jeev Milkha Singh, the ace golfer, is confident that the upcoming film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag will be a superhit. The film, based on the life of his father, Milkha Singh, will change many lives, he says. “It is a very inspiring story and Farhan Akhtar has done justice to the character. Within two years he has built up a body just like my father’s at that time,” says an excited Jeev, who admits to being a Bollywood fan.

Talking about the film, he says he got goose bumps when he first saw its trailers. “I found those clippings amazing. I had full faith in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra when he first approached us for the film about three years,” says Jeev, at an event to announce him the first brand ambassador of Swedish carmaker Volvo Auto in India at The Grand, Vasant Kunj, recently.
He says that his father does not watch many films but, of course, is waiting to watch this one. “My father only watches news on TV. He is in his 80s now but continues to inspire me even today,” says Jeev.
He remembers following his father to the Golf Grounds and watching him play. “That’s how I started liking the game and I realised that this is what I wanted to do. I did not follow my father’s footsteps to become an athlete but he always told me that one should be disciplined, hardworking and humble. And these three rules I have always adhered to,” says Jeev.
Talking about his father, Jeev says, “He is a very simple man. Donating his shoes — which he wore to the 1960 Rome Olympics — to charity is an example of his kind nature.”