Of bikes, friendship and Ladakh
15 Jun 2012 5:33 PM GMT
Bike riding is beyond the speed and thrill involved, it's about finding the unknown, defying boundaries and delving into the unknown, feels Gaurav Jani. An independent filmmaker, the man has directed two films so far based mainly on his motorcycle expeditions.
Riding Solo To The Top Of The World, is a film about his solo motorcycle journey from Mumbai to one of the remotest places in the world, the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh, that borders China. As a one-man film unit, he astonishes you, filming the landscape he passes by and the people he interacts with, capturing moments of beauty, pain, love, hardship, self doubt and spiritual triumphs.
‘As a sole crew member, this particular film was a feat to be achieved. The only motto to success is never give up. I kept chanting these words in my head. It gave me courage and I made it,’ said Gaurav Jani.
The film has won several accolades at both national and international level, including the National Award during its screening around the world.
His other masterpiece, One Crazy Ride is a film on friendship, camaraderie and the never say die attitude of five motorcyclists in the face of unforgiving terrain. Shot in the same format as Riding Solo To The Top Of The World with no back-up vehicle or film crew, in parts of India hardly seen, filmed or explored, the documentary captures the interactions and experiences of the riders who are trying to chart a route, which according to everyone does not exist.
‘Mainly shot across the Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, situated in northeast India, this film was a complete experience in itself. We faced a lot of hardships and possibilities of novel interaction with the far fetched tribes of Arunachal region,’ said Gaurav Jani.
One Crazy Ride has won several awards including Best Film at International Motorcycle Film Festival.
Motorcycle Chang Pa is the name of his upcoming film. The film aims to cover the changing face of the Changthang desert in the Himalayas, over a period of one year.
Riding Solo To The Top Of The World, is a film about his solo motorcycle journey from Mumbai to one of the remotest places in the world, the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh, that borders China. As a one-man film unit, he astonishes you, filming the landscape he passes by and the people he interacts with, capturing moments of beauty, pain, love, hardship, self doubt and spiritual triumphs.
‘As a sole crew member, this particular film was a feat to be achieved. The only motto to success is never give up. I kept chanting these words in my head. It gave me courage and I made it,’ said Gaurav Jani.
The film has won several accolades at both national and international level, including the National Award during its screening around the world.
His other masterpiece, One Crazy Ride is a film on friendship, camaraderie and the never say die attitude of five motorcyclists in the face of unforgiving terrain. Shot in the same format as Riding Solo To The Top Of The World with no back-up vehicle or film crew, in parts of India hardly seen, filmed or explored, the documentary captures the interactions and experiences of the riders who are trying to chart a route, which according to everyone does not exist.
‘Mainly shot across the Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, situated in northeast India, this film was a complete experience in itself. We faced a lot of hardships and possibilities of novel interaction with the far fetched tribes of Arunachal region,’ said Gaurav Jani.
One Crazy Ride has won several awards including Best Film at International Motorcycle Film Festival.
Motorcycle Chang Pa is the name of his upcoming film. The film aims to cover the changing face of the Changthang desert in the Himalayas, over a period of one year.
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