Here's a helpful essay on the movie:

The film chronicles Milkha's meteoric rise to fame, including his first major victory at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, where he won the 400-meter race. This triumph was followed by a series of victories, including a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.

The movie stars Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh, and his performance is widely regarded as one of the best of his career. Akhtar brings depth and nuance to the role, capturing Milkha's vulnerability, determination, and joy.

Born in 1935 in Govindpura, a small village in Punjab, India, Milkha Singh faced immense hardship and tragedy at a young age. During the partition of India, his family was forced to flee their home, and in the ensuing chaos, Milkha's parents were separated from him. He was left to fend for himself, struggling to survive on the streets.