FAST CARS, CALM PEOPLE

RAM CHARAN joins us at the Dubai Autodrome and keeps it tidy

- 

Instead of a conventional sit-down interview, this was a day of driving, laughter, competitive nonsense and conversations that only happen once the helmets come off and the engines are still ticking as they cool. The setting was the Dubai Autodrome. The company was Ram Charan. Everything else followed.

FAILURE DOES SEE YOU BACK BUT IT LEADS TO INTROSPECTION

RAPID FIRE: NO TIME TO THINK

Ramesh Somani: Who's the first person you'll call if you're stuck in a remote location?

Ram Charan: I'll probably just watch YouTube and figure it out myself.

RS: Best road trip you've ever done?

RC: A road trip to Coorg with my school friends. We stayed overnight at my farm in Bangalore and then drove down in my mother-in-law's Land Rover Defender. Simple, relaxed, and memorable.

RS: Next road trip on your list?

RC: Ladakh! It's been on my bucket list for the longest time. I'd love to do it with my school friends and explore areas near the Nepal border.

RS: You own horses and fast cars. Which gives you more trouble?

RC: Horses. Cars are predictable. Horses have a mind of their own, so you have to be extra careful.

RS: Have you named your horses?

RC: Yes. Kajal was used in Magadheera and Badshah was used in RRR.

TALKING TO DRIVING

The first task of the day was a 0-100-0 performance test, designed to test, reflex and concentration while handling the Audi Q8 acceleration. A coordination challenge followed, requiring balls to be thrown into a basket while the car was in motion. It sounds simple. It isn't.