Saiju Kurup is an actor who entered Malayalam cinema unexpectedly. He also became the hero in the first film. Then Saiju acted in more than 130 films as a supporting actor, comedian, villain and again as a hero. In his busy film career, Saiju is accompanied by BMW X-One and Hyundai Alcazar. Saiju Kurup to Fasttrack about journeys and vehicles.
First car Maruti 800
Maruti 800 was the first four-wheeler in the house. He went to school to learn driving, but was not clear enough. I bought 800 to make my driving smoother. It proved its hand in driving with bumps and scrapes here and there.
Lambie in memories
I was born in Kerala but brought up in Nagpur. His father worked in the Defense Administration. Was there till B.Tech studies. After that came to Kerala. The first vehicle in the house is a Lambi scooter. I still remember my father coming from office on a scooter in Lambi. There is reason to do so. Most of the time, father comes in the evening while playing cricket. Lambi knows it’s dad when he hears the scooter.
The voice would be recognized immediately. If the scooter comes into view, the eye will be on its handle. The purpose of the look is to have a bag there. If there is, sweets from the canteen are guaranteed. And it’s just one run after saying bye to cricket… My brother now recognizes the sound of my car just like I recognized the sound of a scooter. He is now in second class. I was about that age then.
Luna and the Champ
Luna and Champ were my least favorite vehicles. The Luna seemed less of a vehicle than a bicycle. There is no standard. There is nothing to see. I never dreamed that my father would buy TVS Champ. But my father bought it – for my sister. A Blue Color TVS Champ. At that time I was studying in class nine. This champ was the car at home during college.
My father bought a Kinetic Honda when kick starting was difficult. This was the self-starting scooter of those days. But that too was a concept for me as a girl’s vehicle. It was a time when Pulsar was launched with the tag line ‘Definitely Male’. But it was not a situation I could ask to buy. It was a good price. So to go to college, I sometimes reluctantly take a Kinetic Honda. I mostly used to go by bus and lift with my friends.
By the time I finished college, I bought a Splendor. That car is still there. Just not the condition. That is the vehicle that was driven with great interest. The vehicle had a hum when driving.
In Omni to see Mumbai
I will never forget going to see Mumbai from Nagpur in Omni that day with three friends. I don’t know how to drive a four wheeler. The back seat was removed and the bed and pillow were put on the bed and the trip was lavish. Those who drive the car say the scriptures on that trip. It was a two day trip. I used to think that if I go to Mumbai, I can meet Bollywood stars. My closest friend then and still is Ratheesh. He has a job. Stayed at his place. My goal was to meet Govinda and Shahrukh Khan. But when he goes there, Ratheesh says that he can’t see them like that. I heard that if I go to the place where filmmakers live in Lokhandwala, sometimes I can see them, so I went there. All I could see was a choreographer named Ganesh Achari.
Not a solo driver
Not much interested in solo travel. Because driving is not that much fun for me. I am not the type of person who listens to music and drives alone. When I have to go alone, I call my friends and talk to them. I will call my mother and talk. Amma is a terrific entertainer. My wife likes to travel. When the son was three months old in his wife’s father’s eon, we went to the same place where we had honeymooned in Ooty. It was not a planned trip. He left suddenly when he was not shooting. He started driving before his wife did. When we go as a family, we both take turns driving. Anu is a good driver.
Opal course
The Opel Course was the first car he bought with his own money, although he did not pay for it entirely out of his own pocket. I bought the course in 2005 by taking some of my money and the rest from my father. There was some difficulty when I suddenly switched from Maruti to Opal course. Parts of the course were imported. A lot of money has been spent for that. At that time, I was getting twenty five thousand rupees from the movie. By the time the car is serviced, it will cost about ten thousand rupees. He gave up the Opel and bought a Chevrolet Aveo.
to automatic
It was because of his wife’s insistence that he looked for an automatic car. I am of the view that if the gear is not changed in between, driving is not enjoyable. Baleno was bought for racing. Baleno was a car that suited my budget. After test driving many automatic cars including Celerio and finally booking Kwid, he saw Baleno one day in Panambali Nagar. I really liked the shape of it. That’s how the Baleno was bought.
Safety first
My father died in a road accident in 2018. The accident occurred while Dio was riding a scooter. Mother was also there. The mother was thrown but survived. The car that came on the wrong side was hit. It was only after that that I decided that I wanted a vehicle with safety features. That’s how it came to X-One. It was purchased in 2019 after saving some money and taking a loan. I am not someone who wants a big luxury vehicle.
Alcazar for shooting trips
Alcazar was bought after selling Baleno. The Alcazar was reached by taking into account the journeys to the locations. It also has a place to keep the luggage of the accompanying staff.
Vehicles in the movie
The first vehicle used in the film was the Bullet, in ‘Mayookha’. Bullets in movies have a common characteristic. If kicked it will never start. Even if it comes with a new bullet, my experience is the same. Four-wheeler was used for cinema in the third film ‘Ashwarudhan’. A few more premium cars have been driven in the recent film.
Military tank
In the movie ‘1971 Beyond Border’ there are scenes inside the tank. The scenes inside the tank were set, but the scenes from outside were the tank itself. Three people can hardly sit inside the tank. No place at all. Those on duty should be admitted. If someone my size sits in it, the shoulder will hit.
Shaji Pappan’s Matador
Matador was the vehicle in the movie ‘Aad’. The vehicle used in the first party is not the same in the second movie. It required tremendous attention during its filming. The reason is total rust. When braking, you should first look at where your hand should come and where your head will hit. Alleel blood dust. That was the condition..
Dream car
There is no car that you want to get. But I love the BMW coupe model. That’s because I drive an X-One and have a penchant for BMW.
English Summary: Autobiography Saiju Kurup