In 2013 a film hit theatres with the force of a storm — a story that didn’t just touch hearts but rewrote box office history and award lists. It went on to win 55 awards including two National Awards and a Filmfare Best Actor trophy. But what if we told you that this cinematic triumph was rejected by not one but three of Bollywood’s top heroes? We’re talking about Bhaag Milkha Bhaag the sports biopic that immortalised India’s “Flying Sikh” — Milkha Singh — on the big screen. Directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra the film eventually starred Farhan Akhtar in the lead but the road to finding that perfect Milkha was full of U-turns. The rejected bids Rakesh Omprakash Mehra initially approached three leading actors: Hrithik Roshan Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh. Each passed: Hrithik Roshan praised for intensity was unavailable—“committed to Krrish” Mehra recalls in his memoir The Stranger in the Mirror. Aamir Khan conflicted after Rang De Basanti bluntly said “this is not for me.” Ranveer Singh read the script impressed with the character but ultimately declined. Mehra admits “I never understood why.” Enter the perfect pick After those three rejections Farhan Akhtar stepped in. Within just 15 minutes of hearing the concept he was all in. His portrayal as the legendary runner Milkha Singh supported by Divya Dutta Pawan Malhotra Yograj Singh Prakash Raj—and a cameo by Sonam Kapoor—transformed the film completely. From Rs 30 cr budget to global hit Despite its modest Rs 30 crore budget Bhaag Milkha Bhaag surpassed box-office expectations earning Rs 108 crore net in India and Rs 168 crore globally quintupling its investment. Awards galore Besides its massive box office success the film swept awards — 55 in total — and solidified Farhan’s place in Bollywood not just as an actor but a performer with serious depth. From rejections to record-breaker Bhaag Milkha Bhaag wasn’t just a movie — it was a race to the finish line that no one saw coming.