Actor Farhan Akhtar has mourned the demise of legendary sprinter Milkha Singh.

Milkha Singh passed away aged 91 on Friday night in Chandigarh. He was battling COVID-19 for a month. He had lost his wife, Nirmal Kaur, less than a week ago.

Farhan had essayed Milkha Singh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013).

In a note, the actor 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. And the truth is that you will always be alive. Because you were more than a large hearted, loving, warm, down to earth man.”

Farhan continued, “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. You have touched all our lives. For those who knew you as a father and a friend, it was a blessing. For those who didn't as a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of humility in success. I love you with all my heart.”

Several other Bollywood personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Taapsee Pannu also paid tribute to Milkha Singh.