Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One racer, attended the recent Sports Film Festival in Chennai in his role as the chief guest. Following the event, he spoke to the media about actor Ajith Kumar’s passion for motorsport. He also expressed his excitement to see Ajith as a lead star if there was ever to be a Tamil remake of the Hollywood F1 film. Karthikeyan also reflected on his long friendship with Ajith and lauded the actor’s continued involvement in the racing world.
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Narain said, “I’ve known Ajith for over 25 years. His passion for racing has always been strong.” He added, “Right now, his focus is on building a solid Indian racing team. He’s already taken the first few steps, and I have no doubt he’ll keep pushing forward.” The conversation then naturally shifted to cinema when Karthikeyan was asked about the buzz around Brad Pitt’s Formula One film and whether a Tamil version could work. Without missing a beat, Narain replied, “If there’s a remake, Ajith is the perfect fit. Even at 50, he competes with the same energy and focus as he always has.”
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The bond between Narain and Ajith goes far beyond shared interests. Both have spent years immersed in the world of racing, with Ajith as a competitive driver and Narain as a pioneering F1 veteran. Their friendship, founded on mutual respect and a strong passion for racing, has now evolved into a partnership. Just last month, Ajith welcomed Narain to his international racing team, Ajith Kumar Racing. With Narain’s experience on board, the team, already making its mark on the global stage, is poised to gain even more traction. “It’s an honor to race alongside Narain,” Ajith had said in a statement.
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Karthikeyan also revealed that a biopic on his life is currently in development. Although he did not disclose specific details, he mentioned that the film would depict his journey from childhood in Coimbatore to achieving success in Formula 2. The biopic will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan, known for Malayalam hits like Take Off and C U Soon. “The script looks promising, but it’s still early days,” Narain said. Ajith’s connection with motorsport runs deep. In 2024, he formally founded Ajith Kumar Racing, intending to represent India in important international competitions. He personally tested the Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO in Dubai and intends to assist budding talent in the sport. Veteran Belgian racer Fabian Duffieux is presently the team’s primary driver, while Ajith will continue to race under its banner.
Ajith’s history in motorsport includes participation in the Asian Formula BMW Championship, British Formula 3, and FIA Formula 2, with notable podium finishes at Donington Park and Knockhill. He also started out in motorcycle racing, including appearances in India’s National Motorcycle Racing Championship. His love for racing has occasionally crossed paths with his film career. During a race event in France last year, Ajith was asked if he would ever consider starring in a film like Fast and Furious or an F1-based project. Smiling, he responded, “If the opportunity comes, I wouldn’t say no.”
Earlier this year, Ajith raced in Dubai with a record-breaking crowd of over 50,000 spectators cheering for him, an attendance figure that surprised even seasoned professionals. The event marked one of the biggest turnouts for a motorsport race in the region and further underscored Ajith’s growing influence both on and off the track. As for Karthikeyan, he made history by becoming India’s first F1 driver with Jordan in 2005. He later drove as a test driver for Williams F1 and remains the first Indian to score points in a Formula One World Championship race. Regardless of the success of the F1 film remake in Tamil, Narain and Ajith are undoubtedly at the forefront of bringing Indian motorsport to the forefront.
