The motorcycle diaries

While his repair workshop and racing career began at the same time,the world of acting beckoned him in 2005. “I started with Crime Diary on ETV,” he shares. He has starred in over 40 movies ever since,including Hindi films Mudrank,Dhol,Omkara; and Marathi films Daoji Patil,Raan Bhool,and Khel Saat Barah. Add to the list Marathi teleserials like Raja Shiva Chatrapati and Amar Prem. “I have mostly played short negative characters or then cop roles. Everyone says I look like the bad guy! I actually got into acting because a friend forced me to,” he smiles.

As he shares his experiences,it’s easy to guess that his real love is caught in the spokes of his bike. He nods,“If I’m shooting close to my workshop,I rush there during lunch break,work on a couple of bikes for my regular customers and then go back to shoot.”

Over the years,he has also trained more than 15 riders in motocross and dirt racing. “When I initially started racing,it was out of my love for bikes. Now,it has gone beyond that. I want to bring about a change in the way people ride on the streets. Youngsters zig-zag on the roads,show off their skills and finally end up meeting with accidents. So I want to tell them to instead come and train under me for free and then compete in races and win prizes. They can do all the stunts they like at the races so that the streets are safer,” he stresses.

On a normal day,when he isn’t coaching anyone or practising himself,he is busy at his workshop till 11 pm. The next day then begins early with gym and swimming to keep fit for his sport. “Sometimes,I don’t even get to see my two boys,” he says. While one of them has forayed into the reel world,Pardeshi says a firm,“No,” when asked if he will train them to race. “I am not happy with the future of racing. There is no support for the sport. Plus,we need our own bike and have to bear the fuel expenses. When I started,petrol was for Rs 5 per litre. Today,it is Rs 60. It’s not feasible anymore,” he complains. So,what keeps him going then? “I have my eye on the Chhatrapati Award. Once I get it,I will give up racing,” he says.

This cautious rider exudes a certain confidence in himself. “People hardly last in this profession beyond 10 years. There have been times when some have said I’m old and fat and can’t ride anymore. But my performance last year zipped up all those wagging tongues. So now I tell them that 2010 was just a trailer,and this year they will get to see the full picture!” he smiles.