‘Biker’ Blends Racing Thrill with Family Emotions – Director Abhilash Reddy
Charming star Sharwanand is all set to thrill audiences with the high-octane racing drama Biker, directed by Abhilash Reddy and produced under the prestigious UV Creations banner. Touted as India’s first motocross adventure film, Biker will release in premium formats like Dolby Cinema, EPIQ, 4DX, and PCX. The glimpses, songs, teaser, and trailer have already created massive buzz ahead of its grand theatrical release on April 3.
In a media interaction, director Abhilash Reddy shared exciting insights about the film:
What kind of experience will Biker offer to audiences?
Biker is designed to be a complete theatrical experience. We even shot it in Dolby Vision. Everyone who watched the trailer has especially appreciated the sound design. I’m confident that audiences will have an immersive and unforgettable experience in theatres.
What inspired you to write this story?
Bikes are an emotion for many people, and personally, I deeply connect with that emotion. Along with high-speed racing, the film carries strong family emotions. The father-son relationship in the film will definitely strike a chord with audiences.
What were the major challenges during shooting?
We filmed the racing sequences with real racers, which made the process extremely challenging. There were several accidents during the shoot, and after each major shot, we had to take breaks of up to two hours. The action sequences alone took more than 60 days to complete.
The film unfolds in two timelines. In the 1990s, two-stroke bikes were widely used, but they are no longer available today. Designing and recreating those bikes took a lot of time and effort. We shot the racing portions in Indonesia, and transporting all the bikes back to India was a huge logistical challenge. We also brought in professional racers from New Zealand and Australia.
Does this sport exist in India?
Yes, it does—but it hasn’t received the popularity it deserves. Through Rajasekhar’s character, we highlight this issue. There’s a veteran racer named Shyam Kothari in India, but he didn’t receive the recognition that Kapil Dev got in cricket. My intention is to bring attention to this sport. While Biker is a fictional story, some real-life racing incidents inspired it.
Tell us about Rajasekhar’s role?
Rajasekhar plays both a coach and a father, but his character is far from conventional. There’s a unique story surrounding him, and his presence adds tremendous emotional depth to the film.
How is Biker different from Formula One-based films?
Even before recent racing films released, our film had already completed production. In terms of emotion and drama, Biker is completely different and offers a unique narrative.
Did you receive strong support from producers?
Absolutely. UV Creations is known for making visually grand and technically superior films. Once they believe in a story, they never compromise on quality or budget.
We shot the climax in Indonesia, where filming racing sequences is extremely expensive. International associations initially refused permission, but we built our own set to achieve the required scale because the story demanded it.
Sharwanand’s transformation is surprising. How did he prepare?
Sharwanand lost around 23 kilograms for this role. From the very beginning, we were clear about how the biker character should look. He took a six-month break and prepared both physically and mentally. His performance in the film will be terrific. In fact, he believes Biker is the best film of his career and is very confident about its success.
What will audiences feel after watching the film?
Audiences will walk out with a strong emotional connection. The combined belief of Sharwanand, Rajasekhar, and our producers is what made this film truly special.
What is the biggest achievement for you in Biker?
Bringing this sport onto the big screen itself is a huge achievement. Along with that, the film delivers a powerful family drama.
Tell us about the female lead?
Malavika plays a crucial role in the film. Once audiences watch it, they will understand why she was the perfect choice.
How did the cast and producers respond?
Sharwanand, Rajasekhar, and Malavika all accepted the film in a single sitting. The producers were extremely happy after watching the first copy. We are all very confident about the film.
What was Prabhas’ reaction to the trailer?
Prabhas appreciated the trailer and conveyed that it looked fantastic. His tweet supporting our film was truly encouraging.
How is the music by Ghibran?
Ghibran has delivered extraordinary music. The last 40 minutes of the film, in particular, will stand out with exceptional background score, offering audiences a completely new sound experience.
Are there any personal inspirations in the father emotion?
I naturally connect with middle-class emotions. Whatever I create tends to reflect those sentiments, and Biker is no exception.
What did Dil Raju say after watching the film?
Dil Raju loved the film and appreciated the way it was made. In fact, I’ll also be collaborating with him for my next project.
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