BAZ LUHRMANN & VINCENT FANTAUZZO DISCOVER INDIA ON A ROYAL ENFIELD

Baz Luhrmann is famous for directing movies: Romeo + Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001) & Australia (2008). Vincent Fantauzzo is a world renowned artist & recipent of many prestigious awards. As a good break from their hectic schedule while in India, we took them for a ride to Shekhawati region of Rajasthan also known as the 'Open Art Gallery'.
 


On the 29th of Jan while I was waiting at the airport for them, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When Baz landed, he told me that he had never ridden a bike before and had got his driving license three days back! I had one hour to get him on a gorgeous green Royal Enfield Classic 500 and onto the road. I had to give them credit for their determination and enthusiasm. Baz got on the bike, learnt to shift through the gears and brake well enough in the empty parking lot at the airport. Though a bit shaky and slow at first (Indian city trafic had it's share to contribute) he caught his composure as we reached the highway and were soon cruising down the smooth road to Bikaner. By the time we reached Sikar his confidence was soaring. Vincent has been riding super bikes and motocross back in Australia so he adapted very well to the Classic.

At Sikar we had a renewed lease of confidence as got ready to leave behind traffic and hit the smooth country roads of Rajasthan. Vincent was raring to go and test the bikes caspabilities. He was pulling wheelies on the first day itself and soon learnt that a Royal Enfield was more than just a highway cruiser. They also learnt that spead breakers could be fun too! As we reached Dundlod by sundown, Thakur Randeep Shekhawat had a warm welcome for us at his fort. Vincent started trying to drift here in the hard sand. We spent that night at the pristine castle Mandawa.

On 30th Jan, we first went for a ride through Mandawa. We took plenty of pictures here at the old painted havelis and temples but the highlight was their interaction wth the kids. One of the reasons they were in India was charity work for deaf kids. We took excelent pics of the local children and our bikes. Vincent even did some drifting in the dirt to the amusement of the kids. Soon we had to ride out of there. Kids again gathered while Baz took some photographs and Vincent did some jumps to their amusement also. We then went for a small ride over broken, sandy terrain.. true blue Royal Enfield style offroads, through the back yards of Mandawa. We rode back to Dundlod by sunset. Baz & Vincent had a plan to paint one of the walls of the fort. I'm sure Thakur Randeep will cherish that painting for ever.

On 31st morning Baz & Vincent wanted to paint a village wall as well. Initially the villagers couldn't figure out what they were up to and passed smirks, but by the time the picture started to appear they were all silent and in awe. Then the plan was to ride to Jaipur and catch the evening flight.
 
I guess they were having so much fun on their bikes that they wanted to ride straight to Delhi and so we did! This was now a real ride with a distance of 260 kms and half a day to cover it along a route that was unplanned. Most of the route turned out to be excellent and worth riding on again. We rode through some sand, tight village gullies, broken roads, along bright yellow sunflower fields, and great highways. This was now looking more like a Royal Enfield ride - More riding, less stops, less pics and total fun! Baz was getting better and proving to be a decent rider, while Vincent was going all out with drifting at corners, good speed offroading, jumps, wheelies, burnouts & donuts, while the route stayed beautiful and totally enjoyable. We Then as we caught the highway 90 kms to Delhi, it got really cold, extremely dusty and traffic seemed to be getting worse with overtaking getting difficult and traffic jamming the highways! Yet we rode on with a smile on our dirty faces and with durt in our eyes. Baz exclaimed that this was like avideo game where every time you gets used to the adventure, a new levels starts  - "You have now reached level 10!". Yes, this does beat video games.
 


At the Delhi press conference Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director, Eicher Motors Limited, gifted Baz & Vincent a Royal Enfield Classic 500 each with their names on the tanks. In Baz's words, "This is the most goregous looking bike I have seen" while Vincent exclaimed "This is the most fun bike I have ever ridden." They are sure to continue riding their Royal Enfiled back in Australia.
 


I had a chance to witness an acclaimed director & artist in action, away from what they are best known for - an excellent experience with a pair who made great riding partners. It certainly was a ride to remember.
 
Words: Kanwardeep Singh Dhaliwal, Royal Enfield
Photos: Royal Enfield