Pakistani celebs mourn passing of 'The Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh, one of India's most famous Olympians ever, passed away at the age of 91 on Friday. Sprint great Singh, who was nicknamed the “Flying Sikh,” ran at three successive Olympic Games and finished fourth in the 400 metres in Rome in 1960

His death, due to Covid-19 complications, comes days after his wife's, former India volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur. Soon after the news of his death went viral, many took to social media to pay tribute. Pakistani stars Shoaib Malik and Meesha Shafi, among others, mourned the loss of Singh. "The legendary sprinter Milkha Singh (Flying Sikh) departs at age 91. Your legacy will fly high, always," the cricketer penned. "Our heartfelt condolences to his family in this hard time."

"Before shooting Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, I researched ‘The Flying Sikh’. Must be soaring gracefully in the skies today. My thoughts go out to his fam and the film fam," Shafi, who starred with Farhan Akhtar in Singh's 2013 biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, stated. The popular singer played Perizaad, who is the best friend to Akhtar's onscreen character of the iconic sportsman.

"Our cultural heritage and stories are so deeply-rooted that it is natural to relate to cinema being made here. Bollywood has a huge audience in Pakistan and Pakistani music has a vast listenership in India," Shafi had said in a statement at that time, according to India Today. "Both countries are doing an immense service by bridging gaps and reaching out to the people. Bollywood and Pakistan have an age-old relationship."

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