The very first vehicle I ever had was a Bajaj scooter, which I bought in my late 20s. I had to save money for almost two years to buy it, which was a tough task then. Riding a two-wheeler in Bengaluru those days was an excellent experience. The roads were empty and it was a pleasure to ride. I would take off on long rides and never felt exhausted. Today, it is so stressful. My scooter is with a relative of mine now, so I do get to see it once in a while.
Later, when I became an actor, I bought a Maruti 800, my first car, and it was special. In the early years of struggle, I would travel by bus and look out for this car, which had been launched in India then. I have so many memories attached to it. I bought it at the time my son Prajwal was born and I had put his name on the back window. It was also the very car in which I taught my wife driving.
I had a tough time learning to drive a car. A film I was offered was Koogu, produced by Shankar Nag. I went in for the audition and the only question I was asked for the role was, ‘Do you know to drive a car?’ I said I did, though I didn’t!
When I went for the shoot, I was asked to drive for the very first scene. I was also told that Anant Nag would make his appearance now.
Hearing his name I almost fainted, not only because I admired him as an actor, and also because I imagined being caught for my lie in front of him. I just could not move the car even an inch, no matter how many retakes. I was terrified and everyone around me was furious. Finally, they came up with an idea to make the scene work.
They made me cross my legs on the seat and made a driver sit near the pedals hidden from the camera. He was asked to operate the clutch, pedal and accelerator while I only had to hold the steering wheel (laughs uproariously). Somehow we managed to complete the shoot. Once I was done with the day, I rushed to my friend to learn driving and slowly picked it up. Even today, when I buy a new car and meet Anant, he still teases me, asking me if I have someone hidden at the foot of my car to handle the clutch, gear and brakes.
— As told to
Shilpa Sebastian R
