Sharwanand dropped 22 kilos for Biker. He learned to ride motocross bikes, spent two years on the project, and plays his character at 18 and 30. When the actor calls it the best work of his 30-film career, the commitment shows.
Biker releases April 3 in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, billed as India’s first motocross feature. Directed by Abhilash Reddy, whose ZEE5 series Loser drew strong reviews for its sports drama format, the film tracks a racer named Vikky across two timelines in 1990s and early 2000s Tamil Nadu. A father-son conflict sits at the heart of the story. The racing sequences alone required a month of continuous shooting.
“Having done around 30 films, I can proudly say Biker is my best till date,” Sharwanand said. “I learned to ride motocross bikes for the role.” The actor has kept a loyal Tamil following since Engeyum Eppodhum in 2011, returning with Kanam in 2022. With Biker set entirely in Tamil Nadu, this feels less like a dubbed Telugu release and more like familiar territory.
Dr. Rajasekhar plays the father, a strict mentor to Sharwanand’s Vikky. The veteran, who holds an MBBS degree and once practised medicine in Chennai, arrived at the press meet with a fractured leg, helped onstage by his co-star. He spun the injury into superstition: the last time he turned up at Sathyam Cinemas on a broken leg, the film became a hit. “People told me the fracture was a good omen,” he said. “Now I’m back at Sathyam with another one. I’m confident this does well too.”
Malavika Nair, who won a Filmfare Award for her Tamil debut in Cuckoo in 2014, plays opposite Sharwanand. Atul Kulkarni also features in a key role.
Ghibran scores the film, reuniting with Sharwanand twelve years after Run Raja Run. The composer said the Tamil Nadu period setting resonated with him. “The story moves through the 90s and early 2000s in Tamil Nadu, and that world felt personal,” he said. “I believe this film can reach an international level.”
The production matched the ambition. Rajeevan designed racing environments using equipment sourced from Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, with the climax shot on location in Indonesia using international motocross riders. Dilip Subbarayan handled the stunts, Raju Sundaram the choreography.
Abhilash Reddy, making his feature debut, described Biker as more than a racing film. “It carries strong human emotions,” he said. “I don’t know Tamil, but I believe this film will reach your hearts.” The trailer drew public praise from Prabhas. Biker opens April 3 in Dolby Cinema, EPIQ, 4DX, and PCX.