G.D.N. film trailer launched amid vintage cars in Coimbatore’s motorsports circuit

Kari Motor Speedway, a permanent motorsports circuit in the outskirts of Coimbatore, wore a different kind of vibe last weekend. The Formula 3-standard race track that usually reverberates with the high-octane whoosh of speeding cards, saw vintage cars from the city’s GeDee Car Museum sashaying in style. The occasion? The trailer launch of G.D.N, a biopic on Coimbatore’s inventor and industrialist GD Naidu, played by actor R Madhavan.

Madhavan and Dushara Vijayan, the lead actors, arrived on a vintage Benz 1, a three-wheeled vehicle, regarded as the world’s first practical automobile. The rest of the cast, including actors Sathyaraj, Priyamani, Thambi Ramaiah, Jayaram, Kaniha, and Aditi Balan, also arrived in vintage cars such as Benz 2, Dodge, Oldsmobile, and the Rover, not to mention a blue Coimbatore-Udumalpet-Palani bus form the 1940s. The latter, a popular attraction at the museum, was modified by GD Naidu. He worked on the bus’s petrol engine to suit hybrid fuel since there was a shortage of petrol and diesel across the world after World War II. 

Actors Sathyaraj, Dushara, and Madhavan during the trailer launch of G.D.N
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Special arrangement

The launch event was a hat tip to the engineering pioneer’s love for automobiles as well as his contribution to the automotive industry. Under overcast skies that threatened to open up any minute, some of the cast — including Madhavan — also raced along the circuit in designated cars for a taste of speed.

G.D.N. has been directed by Krishnakumar Ramakumar and is being produced by Varghese Moolan Pictures and Tricolour Films. It has music by Govind Vasantha. The film is set to hit theatres soon. The trailer offers a glimpse into the rise of the inventor, highlighting his clashes with the British. Madhavan shines in his portrayal of Naidu. “I hope this film shows people what a genius he was,” said Madhavan, speaking at the launch. “One of the reasons I agreed to take up this role was for the whole of India to know of such an inventor and patriot.”

The Palani bound bus that GD Naidu modified
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Special arrangement

Priyamani spoke of how she was happy to be an “instrument” that will show Naidu’s vision to the rest of the world. “Many people may not have even heard his name,” she added. Dushara, who grew up in Coimbatore, recalled visiting the GeDee Museum as part of her school field trip. “To be part of a film on him is like life coming full-circle,” she said.

As the cast and crew bustled about, posing for photos by the tracks and riding the vintage vehicles, Naidu’s son, GD Gopal observed the goings-on quietly with his wife Chandra Gopal. The 88-year-old, a lover of cars himself, recalled how a team from the film spent time to interact with him during their research on his father. “They also went through books at the library in our museum,” he added. How does it feel to see his father’s life story brought to life on the big screen? He pauses to think, adding: “I’m in a way, proud.”