The Bicycle Maker

Following my second documentary, I embarked on the search for a compelling narrative. A turning point came when a friend introduced me to Shailesh Krishna, a masterful artisan of custom bicycles, meticulously crafting these remarkable machines from his own abode. I found myself captivated by his tale. Through Shailesh, I discovered anew the enchantment of bicycles, the profound passion they could inspire.

In his youth, while his peers reveled in playthings, Shailesh was already immersed in the deconstruction, analysis, and even repair of intricate household devices. This innate curiosity forged a practical adeptness with the very mechanisms shaping our daily existence. This facet of his childhood resonated deeply with me, evoking my own inquisitive nature – a rarity in the India of the 1980s.

Remarkably, it was the unassuming bicycle that kindled his pursuit of engineering and industrial design. The more I delved into his story, the clearer the myriad impacts of the bicycle on one's life became. Through this cinematic venture, I aspire to not only amplify the bicycle's significance but also to unveil Shailesh's unrelenting mission: a journey toward a future marked by sustainability and well-being, one pedal stroke at a time.