Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar says playing sprinter Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has been an exciting challenge. "It was definitely a challenge, but it was a challenge that was a very exciting one to accept," the 38-year-old said here in an interview. The biopic is directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Asked if he had to learn Punjabi for his character, Farhan said: "In bits and pieces. I mainly focussed on dialogues and certain improvisations within scenes. But of course I had to, because there is a very distinct Punjabi flavour to the whole film."

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag also features Sonam Kapoor and is slated to release on July 12.