Hyderabad: Back in 2010, three young men in their 30s, three daredevils took up on one mighty challenge – to travel across India in 18 days. Armed with a Ford, they called themselves Tantalizing India. And tantalise they did, the trio – Sameer Siddiqui, Ratheesh Kumar and Aadil Bandukwala, all in their 30s – panning the country in less than 18 days, right into the Limca Book of World Records.
Bad roads, bad food, bad weather, nothing could stop them. And instead of cribbing about the problems, they embraced all that they loved and showed the world that once you begin to enjoy something, you put in your heart and soul to tumble the record, rewrite history and carve your name out in golden pages of history.
Cut to 2014, four years after the trio achieved this incredible feat, a lot has changed. Times, jobs, responsibilities have all added up. But then, their hunger for road trips hasn’t died down. It’s just multiplied, if I may add. Tantalizing India is on a road trip yet again, but this time around, they’re not looking to take the Limca Book of Records pride. They’re playing hard for something bigger – a tribute to Sameer’s father, Suleman Siddiqi, who passed on his ‘live life king size’ genes to his son.
A group of seven, of whom three have the wisdom of age to their benefit, is aiming for the sky – headed to Ladakh from Bangalore and back. Ask Ratheesh whether he’s looking at smattering yet another record and he says, “Naah! This is just a gift to the oldies from us. We just want to enjoy this one and take it as it comes. No hurry, no worry!â€
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi – these people in two cars are making the most of their journey, relishing local food and basking in the glory of beautiful nature, spread out delightfully for them to enjoy and make postcards.
There’s a lot different about their trip this time around though. For one, their member Aadil isn’t there. Second, they’re in two cars. Third they’re not really looking at creating any record. But then, one thing, just one, is the same – they’re Tantalising every bit of it!