Latest news with #NK370
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Mahesh Narayanan and Shalini Usha Devi team up for biopic on India's first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan
NK 370's screenplay is being penned by writer-filmmaker Shalini Usha Devi, who earlier co-wrote the Suriya-starrer Soorarai Pottru—a film that earned her the National Award for Best Screenplay, an honour she shared with director Sudha Kongara. Reflecting on the prestigious opportunity to spotlight a subject rarely explored in Indian cinema, Shalini said exclusively to CE, 'At its heart, the NK story is the impossible journey of a kid from 1990s Coimbatore, to the starting grid of a Formula 1 race, the pinnacle of motorsport, in the early 2000s. As it is one of the few racing films to emerge from the country, it gives us the opportunity to craft a whole new cinematic vocabulary.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mahesh Narayanan to make biopic on former Indian F1 racing driver Narain Karthikeyan: 'It's about believing in yourself...'
Director is now gearing up to step into Tamil cinema and is reportedly working on a biographical drama centred around India's first Formula One driver, Narain Karthikeyan. After 's 'F1: The Movie' became a global sensation, is all set to make a racing-themed film with Narain. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to Variety, the film is currently titled 'NK370'. Narain spoke about getting a film made about his life: 'Motorsport gave me everything. This film gives that story to the world,' he reportedly stated. Mahesh also shared what drew him to the subject: 'Narain Karthikeyan's journey isn't just about racing. It's about believing in yourself, your country, and a dream no one else can see. That's what drew me to this story,' the Malik director said. A Look at Narain Karthikeyan's Racing Legacy 'Malayankunju' gets an OTT release date Narain Karthikeyan, who hails from Coimbatore, is India's former Formula One driver, who competed between 2005 and 2012. He was inspired by his father, Karthikeyan, a former Indian national rally champion. He participated in a variety of prestigious motorsport events, including NASCAR, Auto GP, the Super GT Series in Japan, Super Formula, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His last stint in single-seaters concluded in 2019. Narain was conferred with the in 2010. What's Next for Mahesh Narayanan? On the work front, Mahesh is currently busy with the production of his next Malayalam film, tentatively titled 'MMMN'. The high-octane spy action drama stars in the lead and also boasts an ensemble cast. The film is also expected to feature Mohanlal in a key role, and recent reports suggest that the title may be Patriot. An official confirmation is still awaited. Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, and Nayanthara are also set to play key roles in the film.
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Pink Villa
Brad Pitt's F1 The Movie fame soon to be seen in India? Malik director Mahesh Narayanan locks Tamil biopic on Narain Karthikeyan
Director Mahesh Narayanan, known for helming movies like Malik and Take Off, is all set to make his debut in Tamil cinema soon. After the success of F1 The Movie starring Brad Pitt, the racing fever seems to have the editor-turned-director gearing up to make a biopic on India's first Formula One racer, Narain Karthikeyan. Mahesh Narayanan to helm biopic on India's 1st Formula One racer? According to a report by Variety, the Mahesh Narayanan-Narain Karthikeyan project is tentatively titled NK370. Speaking about getting his own biographical movie, Narain said, 'Motorsport gave me everything. This film gives that story to the world.' Talking about helming the project, Mahesh said, 'Narain Karthikeyan's journey isn't just about racing. It's about believing in yourself, your country, and a dream no one else can see. That's what drew me to this story.' Who is Narain Karthikeyan? Narain Karthikeyan is India's first Formula One race car driver who competed in motorsports from the year 2005 to 2012. Born on January 14, 1977, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, he showed interest in motorsport at an early age, as his father Karthikeyan was a former Indian national rally champion, winning the South India Rally 7 times. The former racer ended his single-seater career in 2019, after he last joined the Super GT series in Japan. Apart from F1, the racer was also part of leagues including NASCAR, Super Formula, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Auto GP, and more. Karthikeyan was awarded the Indian Government's fourth-highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, in 2010. Mahesh Narayanan's work front Coming to Mahesh Narayanan's professional front, the film director is currently involved in the works for his next directorial, tentatively titled MMMN. The upcoming film features Mammootty in the lead role and is touted to be a spy action drama. Recently, Mohanlal, who plays an extended cameo in the multistarrer, revealed the film's title to be Patriot, with an official confirmation pending. Aside from the stalwarts of Malayalam cinema, the movie features an ensemble cast of actors like Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, and more in key roles. The magnum opus venture marks the reunion of Mohanlal and Mammootty back on the screens after 2008's Twenty:20.
News18
6 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
NK 370: Mahesh Narayanan To Direct Biopic On India's First F1 Driver Narain Karthikeyan
Last Updated: Mahesh Narayanan will direct NK 370, a feature film about Narain Karthikeyan's journey to becoming India's first Formula One driver. Filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan, known for his work in 'Take Off," 'Malik," and Locarno title 'Ariyippu," is set to direct the tentatively titled 'NK 370", chronicling the extraordinary journey of Narain Karthikeyan, India's first Formula One driver. 'Motorsport gave me everything. This film gives that story to the world," said Karthikeyan. The film follows Karthikeyan's remarkable rise from a rebellious boy in Coimbatore to the international racing circuit, overcoming class, color, and crashes to reach Formula One's pinnacle. '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," said Narayanan. The Tamil-language feature film is currently in development at India's Blue Marble Films. It will be produced by Faraz Ahsan, Vivek Rangachari, and Pratik Maitra. The screenplay comes from Shalini Usha Devi, who penned the critically acclaimed 'Soorarai Pottru," reports Ahsan said, '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 story begins with young Narain sitting on his father's lap, gripping the steering wheel of an old rally car. His father, a former national rally champion, had filled their home with engines, tools, and unrealized dreams. At five, Narain received a homemade go-kart, crashing and spinning across the driveway — particularly enjoying wet conditions that made racing more challenging. Despite his parents' concerns about the expensive sport and lack of government support, Narain's passion never wavered. After excelling in his 10th-grade exams, he convinced his parents to let him return to racing. His father modified a Maruti 800 into a training car and became his coach, as reported by At fifteen, Narain entered his first Formula Maruti race at Sriperumbudur circuit in Chennai in 1992. Starting 17th on the grid, he fell to last place early but rallied in the final 10 laps, overtaking 16 racers to finish third — announcing the arrival of India's motorsport underdog. To prove himself internationally, Narain attended the prestigious Winfield Racing School in France, where more than 30 F1 drivers had trained. As the only Indian and only brown-skinned driver, he faced racism and bullying from 20 white students from elite families. During his final test in wet conditions, he recorded the second-fastest lap time, earning recognition as 'something special." The film will showcase both his triumphs including wins in Formula Asia, British Formula Ford, and Formula 3 and his setback at the Macau Grand Prix, where he crashed at 270 km/h on the final lap while leading by six seconds. The narrative includes his romantic subplot, meeting his future wife in an elevator — a woman who knew nothing about racing but believed in him unconditionally. His redemption came when he returned to Macau, trained harder by driving dangerous mountain hairpins in Ooty, and won the race that had once destroyed his dreams. view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 17:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
