Issued: 07/Sep/2022, The Print. Online. New Delhi, India.
On the work front, actor Vikas Kumar has been an important part of projects like Aarya,
Parmanu, CID and others. In the recent past, he started his production house named “KHAN
and KUMAR Media Pvt Ltd.”, with friend Sharib Khan. Their debut production, the short film –
SONSI, qualified for the OSCARS 2022.
They have now started working on a documentary film, an international collaboration with AMMI
MEDIA, a New York-based company. The documentary is about Indian women cyclists, primarily
featuring a 43-year-old mother from Delhi, Gareema Shankar, and a 57-year-old grandmother
from Jaipur, Renu Singhi. The film crew just concluded an 11-day schedule in the UK covering
the most testing cycling event in the world, LONDON EDINBURGH LONDON – a 1500 km ride
to be completed in 125 hours.
While Gareema has been hailed as one of the ‘Heroes of LEL 2022’, the 57-year-old Renu
Singhi, became the First Indian Woman Ever to complete the 1500 km challenge within the
stipulated time of 125 hrs. The crew followed Gareema and Renu on their journey, and also
captured other cyclists, organisers and volunteers at the event. The presence of a film crew on
the route through England and Scotland got many folks curious.
LEL Event Director, Danial Webb says, “It was great to see the documentary crew at work
recording the story of an extraordinary event. We’re excited to see how they weave the tale of
two riders and one of our many volunteers as a way of telling the world about the unique
experience of London Edinburgh London.”
Actor and producer Vikas Kumar says, “The crew in the UK took this as a challenge, as a test of
their endurance. They were on the 1500 km route for 10 days and witnessed Gareema and
Renu’s LEL journey, living through their experiences. While the UK crew was at the event, our
director Ameya Gore managed the shoot, coordinating all activities virtually from India using
Live Tracking of the cyclists and Google Street View to guide the team on the road. For 10 days,
everyone was sleep deprived yet alert lest we miss an important moment. This has been an
experience of a lifetime. There are a few more shooting schedules to follow. We hope that when
viewers get to watch the film, it will inspire many to take up personal challenges.”