India’s First F1 Driver Narain Karthikeyan gets his Biopic – Here’s what we know

While Indian motorsports fans are enjoying the magnanimous hit of F1:The Movie starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem and others, they are getting a biopic of one of their very own racing heroes. 

India’s First Formula One Driver Narain Karthikeyan’s life story is getting its own Biopic, directed by Mahesh Narayanan. Every motorsports fan in the country will be aware of the name Naraine Karthikeyan, the first Indian to achieve and course through to F1 races. 

Narain Karthikeyan competed in the Formula 1 races from 2005 to 2012 and began his career in racing at an early age, inspired from his father’s rally career. From competing and training in many domestic and beginner Go-kart races, Narain also competed in A1GP and the LeMans series and slowly built his graph to have his F1 contract signed by Jordan in 2005. 

Now director Mahesh Naraynan is said to be creating a Tamil biopic film based on Narain Karthikeyan’s life tentatively titled ‘NK370’, reported a Variety Exclusive. Narayanan, the director of ‘Take Off’, ‘Malik’ and ‘Ariyippu’ is reportedly helming the movie. 

‘NK 370’, the working title, will be made under Blue Marbles Films with Faraz Ahsan, Vivek Rangachari, and Pratik Maitra producing the film. Shalini Usha Devi is roped in to pen the screenplay of the movie, who is known for ‘Soorarai Pottru’. 

Mahesh Narayanan shared his insights about choosing the story, “Narain Karthikeyan’s journey isn’t just about racing. It’s about belief – in yourself, your country, and a dream no one else can see. That’s what drew me to this story,”

From a quiet part in South India, Coimbatore, Narain Karthikeyan’s journey has been inspiring among the Indian sports circle. From being a rebellious young boy to a disciplined and focused Formula One racer who has surpassed several hurdles, Narain Karthikeyan’s story is a perfect choice for a biopic. 

Ahsan, one of the producers, has shared some candid process behind the journey of the biopic, told Variety, “India has some of the most dangerous roads in the world – just surviving traffic here takes skill. But what fascinated me was how someone like NK went from navigating those roads to racing at 365 km/h – a speed faster than a commercial aircraft at takeoff. I’ve been after Narain for years to secure the rights, and after a few honest conversations and the right team coming together, he finally said yes.”

The movie will be focusing on both the high and lows of Narain’s career, pulling through the tough times and the setbacks, his accidental meet with his future wife, his return to Macau and his interesting training days in Ooty’s hairpin bends. 

“Motorsport gave me everything. This film gives that story to the world,” said Narain Karthikeyan whose biopic will be one of the most anticipated films. The casting and production are yet to be announced with no doubts of hitting major screens around the world, taking the tone and cultural aspects of Motorsports in India to the rest of the world.