Media has been around for a long time and for as long as it has existed, it has captured people’s imaginations. Plays, music, movies, and so on have served as a playground for the most creative minds around the world. As a result, it has given humankind lots of icons; people, places, and things; they have been a testament to the fact that imagination truly has no limit. Before now, we have always looked to the West for these icons. Now though, it is all set to change. Kalki 2898 A.D. speaks volumes of India’s prowess and along with laying the foundation for an expansive cinematic universe, it has also given us motorheads and pop-culture buffs an icon… welcome the Bujji!

PowerTour 2024 is on and we have started with a bang. In this particular passion project of mine, I go around the world piloting some of the best machines in the world. Supercars, superbikes, super-trikes (if that is a thing) and then contraptions like the Bujji! Created for Kalki 2898 A.D. right here in India, I am thrilled to get to drive India’s very first and very own sci-fi machine. It is a dream come true and I believe that we could not have started the Power Tour 2024 on a better note!

Starting with the name, Bujji means little or cute in Telugu. While the vehicle is anything but, the name refers to the small AI-powered humanoid that controls the vehicle. Before we talk about it anymore, just look at it. It looks straight out of a Hollywood sci-fi flick but it is Battery (kWh)as indigenous as they come. In the realm of science-fiction and pop culture, this is the most insane thing in India right now. Right now, is the keyword… piqued your interest? Keep on reading. 

The story of Kalki 2898 A.D. spans thousands of years. From the epic of Mahabharatha to the dystopian future of the year 2898 AD. It has everything we have come to expect from the big-budget comic-inspired flavour of cinema of the West. What adds to the intrigue is the fact that it is all based on our own epics and tales that we have grown up with. Gods, Demons, Divine Weapons, and Prophecies; if you have not watched it yet, get your tickets and experience it right now. This might very well be the start of something big!

CEAT’s collaboration with Kalki 2898 AD is a testament to the company’s pursuit of excellence. Known for its portfolio of extremely capable tyres for all sorts of vehicles and all sorts of terrains, CEAT Specialty proved its mettle by creating Bujji’s bespoke tyres. From the unique block design to the material used and from the aspect ratio of 30 to the 4 tonnes load-bearing capacity, these tyres from CEAT Specialty are special in every sense and befitting of carrying Bujji, a national cinematic icon!

Now, imagine if this is what India can achieve on its first attempt—what can we expect from future movies? This is the first time I’ve been genuinely interested in an Indian-made vehicle, which speaks volumes about what Bujji set out to accomplish. It is not just about the movie, the story, and Bujji alone; it is a masterclass in marketing and execution. Creating an exclusive vehicle like Bujji, a prominent feature of the movie, and then taking it around India to capture the imagination of millions… simply genius! 

Kalki 2898 A.D. is also the first movie showcased at the San Diego Comic-Con which underlines the ambition of the whole team behind the movie. Made on a budget of around 600 crores, it is the most expensive Indian movie to date and in that, almost 7 crores were spent on the Bujji. But it is not just the money spent, it is the execution that sets the stage for Bujji to become an icon of cinema! As for the start of something big, the spin-offs are already around including a two-episode animated series on Amazon Prime. The potential here is incredible for the expansion of not only the cinematic universe but also for the Bujji to make an appearance in some prominent video games. 

Now, let us get to the nitty gritty of the vehicle itself. Bujji was manufactured in India by Jayem Automotive in Coimbatore, with assistance from Mahindra Research Valley. Among the many standout visual elements of Bujji, the tyres have a lot of prominence. They were developed by CEAT Specialty in their Ambernath plant, in collaboration with the conceptualizers and production team responsible for the chassis and the rest of the vehicle.

Let us talk about the technicals before getting to the actual driving experience. Bujji is powered by two induction motors provided by Mahindra and manufactured by Kirloskar. Synchronously, they have a power output of 125 bhp. The Bujji is not about power though. The standout number here is the torque which is a massive 9,800 Nm. The sheer grunt and the instant delivery, characteristic of an electric motor, means that the Bujji gets a move on smoothly despite its heft.

Talking about that, Bujji tips the scales at almost six metric tons! It is almost 6 metres long, two metres high, and three metres wide. Despite that, with the 47 kWh battery pack, it can get up to 45 km/h and has a range of around 50 km on a single charge. An equivalent ICE may not have been practical but more than that, it would not have gone with the futuristic theme of Bujji. Still, under the stress of moving this metal mass around, the motors need adequate cooling which means air-conditioning not only for the driver but the motors as well. That is in addition to all the vents you see. 

The future may still be far-off but the devices that will fastrack us to the future are here… devices like the Acer Swift 5.

I would also like to take a moment to talk about the tyres. Just look at them… they command respect and enhance Bujji’s visual presence massively. Each tyre weighs around 250 kilos and for good reason. Wrapped on a hubless wheel, the tyres need to support not only the weight of Bujji but also the massive influx of torque from the motors. No matter how advanced a vehicle is, without a good set of tyres to put the power to the ground, it is just a hunk of junk.

The futuristic block design of the tyres captures one’s attention right away. In addition to providing the rigidity and stability needed for such a vehicle, the wide tyres and wheels also minimize the side sway. The wheel size is 34.5” and the material is an aluminium alloy with taper roller bearings on hollow hubs. Two independent swingarms support each hubless system and the weight on each side is a metric ton!

On the rear, there is a custom-made coil spring over the strut suspension system, contributing to a total rear assembly weight of around three tons. Here, the rear tyre is flanked by two dummy cones but in the movie, it is a sphere that enables omnidirectional movement. Another quirk of Bujji is that it is steered not from the front but from the rear! This is reminiscent of a reverse tricycle setup, not very different from the Polaris Slingshot that I drove in the USA. A lot of people have been quick to draw comparisons though the steering between the two is different.

Getting in the Bujji feels not too dissimilar from what we have seen in movies like Batman. After I got in the car, someone from the team helped me figure out the controls. It even had a button called Steer, upon the activation of which, the steering was enabled. Then there was a button to activate the final drive which gets Bujji going. It only has Forward, Rear, and Neutral and no, I do not want a 6-speed manual on this one! While I wish I could have driven it on open roads, I believe that it would have needed restricted roads. The turning circle alone would have taken up a fair few lanes! 

It is not practical… Well, of course! It belongs to the future that has been dragged back to the present for us to enjoy. And I enjoyed every second of it. It was like the culmination of all my dreams to pilot Batman’s Tumbler or Akira’s motorcycle. A salute to everyone involved in this project and a big thanks for letting me experience this marvel firsthand. It is just our first move and it is a resounding announcement… India has arrived. Now, if I can somehow plant the idea of a 1:6 scale model in the minds of the producers… you know, for the MotoVilla!