Tlang Ruam is one of India’s most unique racing experiences, where the city becomes a downhill trail. It is the kind of urban downhill racing I used to watch on YouTube and Instagram that gave me chills. Again this year, I got to live it for real, not as a viewer but as someone behind the project.
Aizawl: The People, the Culture and Unexpected Support
Aizawl is a place that stays with you long after you leave. The city runs on warmth and sincerity. The people carry a strong sense of discipline and hospitality that makes you feel welcome instantly. Every person we met went out of their way to help us, guide us and make our work easier.
A big part of that experience was my friend Bza. He started off as our local point of contact, but soon became the person I could rely on for anything. Whether it was understanding the terrain, getting local permissions, navigating the steep lanes or simply finding the right spot for a shot, he was always there. His calm nature, patience and willingness to help at any hour made a huge difference in the smooth execution of this project.
Frizzon and the Thrill of a Challenge
At Frizzon, we thrive on projects that come with an adrenaline rush. If something is challenging, it sparks our minds to work faster. We instantly start thinking about solutions, possibilities and how we can push the project to be better than what is expected.
Tlang Ruam was exactly that. This was the second year of the race, and we were ready to elevate it.
Ten Days on the Mountain
I was there for ten days. It was a rollercoaster from the moment we began. Multiple flights were delayed. Team members who had train to flight connections couldn’t make it on time. We lost an entire day in the setup because half the crew was still travelling. Plans changed and workflows shifted overnight. But sometimes, chaos is the moment you grow.
This was my opportunity to lead a project. I had to take quick decisions, reorganize tasks, manage the local teams and align the crew while keeping the larger vision intact.
I could do it because my mentors Chayanika Roy and Achal Manglik always trusted me. Their confidence allowed me to take ownership with clarity. And our Director, Madhura Keskar, stood by us throughout. Her creative guidance consistently amps up every project and her support was one of the pillars that made this event a success.
Building a Race on a Mountain
This year, we used 30 cameras including FPV drones to capture the race from every possible angle. We laid 2 km of fiber and power cables across the unforgiving downhill terrain. In the middle of it all we realised we were short of certain cables and finding replacements in Aizawl was nearly impossible because we never compromise on quality. We reworked the entire plan on the spot and solved the issue internally without letting it affect the schedule.
We also created online GFX for the branding that blended so seamlessly into the course that most people couldn’t tell if it was digital or real.
Multiple minds came together with one goal which was to make this event successful in every frame. We even built proper infrastructure and a full hanger this year. The credit goes to our Head of Production Prithviraj Prabhakar, Production Supervisor Dharmesh Dedhia and Line Producer Nawaz who made the execution smooth and sharp. Last year taught us the challenges of doing this for the first time so we went in with solutions for everything we had faced before but new problems still came up. Even then we overcame every single one of them. Our logistics coordinator Uday Gala ensured TBL was planned perfectly and he handled everything that came his way. It was his first time too and he delivered flawlessly.
Every Challenge Became a Story
The terrain was unpredictable. The rains were uninvited. The schedule was tight. Yet, we solved every single challenge that came our way. From managing gear on steep slopes to coordinating with riders to making sure the coverage was seamless across the entire course, we kept finding solutions.
And in the end, Tlang Ruam 2025 was not just successful but unforgettable.
By - Aditya Mathur