Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar (R) with legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh (Photo | AFP)
MUMBAI: Actor Farhan Akhtar, who played Milkha Singh in the film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", has mourned the death of the legendary Indian athlete, who passed away aged 91 after a long battle with Covid-19.
Farhan posted a picture on Instagram posing with Milkha, who was popularly known as the 'Flying Sikh'.
The actor penned a note saying that he refuses to accept that Milkha Singh is no more.
Farhan wrote: "Dearest Milkha ji, A part of me is still refusing to accept that you are no more. Maybe it's the stubborn side I inherited from you.. the side that when it sets it's mind on something, just never gives up.
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"And the truth is that you will always be alive. Because you were more than a large hearted, loving, warm, down to earth man. You represented an idea. You represented a dream. You represented (to use your own words) how hard work, honesty and determination can lift a person off his knees and get him to touch the sky. "
Farhan said that the legendary athlete touched everyone's lives.
"For those who knew you as a father and a friend, it was a blessing. For those who didn't, your story was a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of humility in success. I love you with all my heart," he concluded.
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Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", biographical sports drama is based on the life of Milkha Singh.
Milkha Singh passed away in a local hospital in Chandigarh at 11.30 p.m. on Friday, read a statement from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), where he was being treated for Covid-related complications.
He is survived by a son, ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, and three daughters.
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Six days ago, on June 13, Milkha's wife Nirmal passed away.
A former India volleyball captain, she was 85, and she, too, was affected by Covid and related complications.
