Exclusive! Superbike racer Sandesh Prasannakumar speaks for the first time about his acting debut

It’s not everyday that you come across a professional bike racer, and it is rarer still to find one who is set to cross over into films as an actor. Meet Sandesh Prasannakumar — a professional superbike racer and the first Indian to line up in Thailand Superbike Championship 2018 (he finished fourth). Sandesh was also the 2016 JK Tyre Superbike National Champion.

Now, the biker is set for an all-new adventure — one that is completely different than what he is used to. Sandesh (who is Sandy to his friends) is all set to race onto the big screen, in producer-director Bharath VJ’s next yet-to-be-titled Kannada film. The biker got candid with us in an exclusive chat as he prepares for his big-screen debut…

How did this project materialise?

Bharath is a good friend; he is also a biker. I had no clue that he was thinking about making a movie on biking and racing. Initially, he approached me to take inspiration from my story and that of a few other bikers — about how we got into racing and our journey so far. We sat down for a few hours and he was quite impressed with what he heard. He wanted to use my story in the film, and then he approached me to play the hero’s friend, which I agreed to do. Once Bharath finished writing the script, he asked me to act as the hero. The concept of the movie is new and the action scenes have never been shown in any Indian movie. So, I agreed to be the male lead.

So, you will be doing all of your own stunts?

Yes, I belong to an adventurous and risky sport that is not very popular in india. So, there will be no stuntmen and I will be doing all the stunts personally. We will be shooting in Bengaluru and at the Buddh International Circuit in Delhi. The action sequences that will be filmed there will be a visual treat for sure, and something new for audiences across India.

You have several friends in the Kannada film industry. Did you ever aspire to be an actor?

No, I never aspired to be an actor. I was a part of several plays in school and college, but I had no intentions of being part of the movie industry or to be a professional actor. This movie is close to my heart and connected with me at a very personal level, so I wanted to be involved in it.

How are you preparing to be an actor?

Bharath is making me do an acting workshop. Any scenes on a bike are going to be a piece of cake for me. But there are a few emotional scenes with parents and Adhvithi (Shetty, the female lead), which are challenging. I have been having daily workshops for a week now and they will go on till the start of the shoot, which is slated to take place next month. My acting has to be on par with the rest of the cast.

What is the biggest challenge for you when it comes to acting?

Any form of emotional acting, because I am not an emotional person. That is something that I have been receiving training for since the very first day. Few things are difficult for me, but everyone tells me that I am improving, so that’s a positive sign.

What about dancing? How good are you at shaking a leg?

I think that I am a really bad dancer, but Bhrarath thinks that I dance well. I have never actually danced, but apparently, I dance well. Of course, I’m not as good as a professional actor, but I am pretty good for a newbie.

Are you taking any acting tips from your friends in the film industry?

Yes. During my workshops, I get someone to take my videos, which I forward to all my friends. They then give me inputs on what I need to improve on. Asha Bhat (Miss Supranational 2014 and actor) is a close friend and I keep getting tips on acting and dancing from her.

Tell us about your character in the film…

I play a motorcycle racer and the movie is based on the life of a racer. I play a rich kid, who gets into racing. The film is the story of my character and his dedication towards the sport. There is also a love story, with Adhvithi. We play people in our 20s, who are fond of bikes, which is what we connect over and eventually fall in love.

Do you hope to create awareness around superbike racing with this film?

Yes. This movie is going to solve a lot of issues with regards to how racing is perceived and bring a lot of exposure to the sport in India. People here think that racing is a bad-boy sport and is all about riding fast on roads. Most people don't know that there is such a thing as professional racing and that there are many national and international races. This film will highlight all of that. We will also be promoting safe riding in the movie. I’m sure a lot of youngsters will get interested in the sport after the film.

So, will you continue to do films in the future?

That depends on the reaction that I get for this film. I am from a sports background, so everything in the film industry is new to me. When this film is done, I will decide on what to do next.