Biker review: Less sport and too much drama bogs down this Sharwanand film

Biker review: Less sport and too much drama bogs down this Sharwanand film Biker movie review: Written and directed by Abhilash Reddy, Biker starring Sharwanand, Rajashekhar and Malvika Nair has its moments of shine but lacks enough engagement to pass as compelling. The Telugu sports drama Biker arrived with solid pre-release buzz. The first-look posters, teasers, and the casting of veteran actor Dr Rajasekhar alongside Sharwanand and Malvika Nair had already caught the audience’s attention. However, motorsports remains a niche interest in India, lacking the widespread appeal of cricket or football. So, does Biker, promoted as India’s first motocross film, have enough fuel in its tank to not only spotlight the sport but also engage both enthusiasts and general audiences? Let’s find out! Vikas Narayan, aka Vicky (Sharwanand), is a racing prodigy with speed in his veins. His father, Sunil Narayan, popularly known as Bullet Sunil (Dr Rajasekhar), was once a legend in the sport in India, but never quite got the platform to soar due to the country’s limited support for motorsports. Determined not to let his son face the same fate, Sunil takes it upon himself to train Vicky with relentless discipline, keeping him away from distractions and fully focused on the track. With intense training, grit, and a burning ambition to succeed, Vicky steadily rises through the ranks and finds himself on the brink of an international breakthrough. His journey takes a crucial turn when he secures a sponsor in Timmy (Atul Kulkarni), the CEO of a multinational conglomerate, setting the stage for a high-stakes leap into the global racing arena. In a parallel timeline, Vikas is seen leading a very different life. Now a family man, he attends a parent-teacher meeting for his son Ishaan, living with his wife Andrea (Malvika Nair) and her mother. Far removed from the high-speed tracks he once dominated, Vicky runs a modest go-karting circuit, seemingly having left his racing dreams behind. However, the past isn’t too far away. During one such day at work, he comes across the news that Sunil Narayan has been ousted from Jimmy’s racing team, his reputation reduced to that of a “loser.” What exactly transpired between these two timelines? Why did Vicky walk away from racing at the peak of his journey? Will he find his way back to the track? And what led to the distance between him and his father? Highly predictable answers to these questions, mixed with some routine drama and a little bit of excitement with motocross, make up the plot of the film. Writer-director Abhilash Reddy, who may be a fan of the sport, builds Biker on a rather generic storyline. The narrative brings to mind several older sports dramas like Jersey, Dangal, and even a bit of Bangalore Days for the elements it borrows. The recent blockbuster F1 is also evoked during the film’s first motocross race, particularly in the way the laps are presented, with similar fonts and pauses. A sports drama can take many forms, but what happens when the sport itself disappears for long stretches and the drama fails to engage? That’s where Biker falters. The “biker” is mostly off the bike, with training limited to a single song. He’s written as a level-headed man who only loses his temper when his father is insulted. Yet, the emotional connect is minimal; perhaps only Sharwanand’s fans will truly invest in his journey. This weak writing, barring a few strong moments, weighs the film down. Scenes like Vicky being asked to choose between his passion and love, the final race, and Andrea standing firm and supportive of her partner do stand out. However, despite these highlights, much of the drama plays out like a TV serial, ultimately dragging down the film’s energy. India’s first motocross film deserved a more unique and grounded storytelling. Sharwanand fits the role well—he looks the part, performs convincingly, and carries a swag that makes him look cool on the bike. Malvika Nair also impresses; the pair share good chemistry and come across as both lovable and occasionally irritating, reminiscent of Nani and Shraddha Srinath in Jersey. Dr Rajasekhar commands attention whenever he’s on screen and delivers an emotional performance by the end. The father-son dynamic, one of the most powerful relationships to explore in cinema, does land effectively here as well—if only it had been presented more consistently throughout the film. The film was also anticipated for its technical prowess, and to its credit, the presentation of the sport is commendable. While the cinematography remains fairly standard in the dramatic portions, it truly stands out during the racing sequences. The songs lack an oomph factor, and though the background score isn’t particularly memorable, it does elevate the racing moments to an extent. However, the editing in these very sequences—the USP of Biker—could have been sharper. The choppy cuts often become distracting, and the staging of the races could have been executed more effectively. Biker has its moments, especially in its racing sequences and the emotional father-son dynamic that lands towards the end. However, a predictable narrative, inconsistent engagement, and underwhelming drama hold it back from truly standing out. While it makes a sincere attempt to bring motocross into the spotlight, the film never quite finds the balance between sport and storytelling. In the end, Biker rides on a promising idea but doesn’t fully cross the finish line.