History lessons often feel like dusty tomes, filled with names and dates that fail to capture the human spirit. But then, some passionate storytellers weave a different narrative that ignites curiosity and compels us to celebrate forgotten heroes.
As a die-hard cinephile, my world usually revolves around the magic of movies, leaving me oblivious to achievements in other arenas. Thankfully, documentaries like “Breaking the Barriers – India’s Race to Glory” are a powerful reminder that films can be a gateway to real-life inspiration.
Recently, at The Reborn India Film Festival 2024, I checked out a condensed version of “Breaking the Barriers,” an eight-episode documentary series meticulously compressed into a captivating two-hour and twenty-seven-minute presentation. This glimpse into the documentary’s heart was enough to spark a fire within me, a realization of how much I’d been missing simply by not looking in the right direction.
“Breaking the Barriers” isn’t just another motorsport documentary. It’s a heart-wrenching, adrenaline-pumping saga narrated by the people who lived and breathed the golden era of Indian motorsports – the racers, the journalists, the unsung heroes who laid the foundation for a roaring revolution. Gautam Sen, the veteran automobile journalist, sets the stage, transporting us back to the nascent moments of Indian motorsports. We witness the birth of motorcycle racing, the prestigious Grand Prix, and the establishment of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. The narrative delves into the transformation of Sholavaram into a legendary motorsport hub, each chapter a testament to the unwavering spirit of a nation finding its voice on the racetrack.
The true gems of the documentary are the individuals who bring these stories to life. Each competitor, journalist, and figurehead becomes a narrator, sharing their experiences with an infectious passion. Chaitanya Dev Jala, Indu Chandhok, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Bob Rupani might not be etched in history books we study in school, but their voices resonate with a profound authenticity.
We hear Mr. Bose describe the thunderous roar of engines that sent shivers down his spine, the memory of him sneaking out of class to catch a glimpse of speeding motorcycles. Mr. Rupani’s anecdote about a mechanic who started by meticulously cleaning a car key before servicing the car itself is the lifeblood of the documentary, moments that transcend mere racing history.
I felt these life experiences would’ve been missed if they were made into a biopic movie. And I’m not only talking about the inspiration or the precision here; I’m also referring to the sheer passion and excitement with which these guys narrated their stories. They were telling their own stories, and my mind was giving me flashbacks of people who inspired me and made me fall in love with the art of cinema itself. So, even though they belong to different factions and communities, these stories hit home.
Vicky Chandhok shared more interesting stories, and this was the first time I realized Vijay Mallya was a racer. Yes, I’m that oblivious. No, I’m not taking criticism.
Breaking the barriers isn’t just the story of these fellow competitors or the rise of motorsports in India; even more so, it’s the story of every person who is inspired by something and dreams to do something about it. Along with it, this film made me fall in love with Mumbai again. I realized the WHY of Mumbai’s spirit. I was also amazed to know about the London-Sydney races, where competitors traveled around three.
The editing for the showcase was so well done! Cutting eight episodes into a film is really a hefty task, considering all the details we cut out and all the ones we kept in. That was one of the factors I was totally amazed by.
The film has amazing animations by Gavi Gangadhara, which tell the story narrated by the competitors in a way that is reminiscent of old Indian art styles I remember from my favorite comic strips.
The sheer amount of research that went into crafting “Breaking the Barriers” is commendable. Sujith Aradhya, the writer, director and producer, deserves immense praise for bringing the early era of Indian motorsports to life with such meticulous detail. Despite not being a sports fanatic, I was captivated by the tales of these ordinary people who dared to dream on the racetrack. I eagerly await the chance to delve deeper into the motorsport culture through the upcoming seasons.
The film ends with the last episode, which tells the story of how, for nearly four decades, the defunct airstrips served as breeding grounds for the petrolheads. They created a strong foundation for Indian Motorsports before they closed down, thus ending an era that was called the “Golden Era of Indian Motorsports.”
Whether you’re a motorsport enthusiast or someone who thrives on inspirational narratives, this film is a must-watch.
