On Road to Munnar: Three friends, five remote-controlled cars, and a message

KOCHI: When Amal Mukundan, Srihari Santhan, and Sajin Shaji decided to travel from Tripunithura to Munnar, they easily could have loaded up a standard hatchback and completed the 129-kilometre drive in a few hours. Instead, they chose to walk the entire distance—steering a fleet of custom remote-controlled (RC) cars right alongside them.

It took the trio two and a half days of roadside trekking to reach their destination on Monday afternoon, navigating both the winding terrain and the curious glances of thousands of onlookers.

Their miniature convoy included five rugged RC models affectionately named Arikomban, Thamarakshan Pillai, Marco, Big Daddy, and Kattalan. While the expedition looked like pure recreation from the outside, the journey carried a dual purpose: introducing the public to the rapidly growing world of RC hobby culture and raising awareness against substance abuse.

Amal Mukundan, a 34-year-old spare parts business owner from Udayamperoor, only picked up the RC car hobby about six months ago. He quickly realised that many people dismiss these machines as simple children's toys, unaware that high-end hobbyist models can range anywhere from a couple of thousand rupees to prices rivalling real-world vehicles. Looking for a unique way to showcase the hobby while advocating against drug abuse, Amal pitched the idea of a walking marathon to Munnar.

His friend Srihari, a restaurant accountant, jumped on board immediately.

The journey kicked off at 6:00 AM on Saturday from the front gates of the Poornathrayeesa Temple in Tripunithura. Shortly after, Sajin, a welding contractor from Kalady who follows Amal on Instagram, saw the updates and decided to join the trek from Kolanchery. To keep the miniature fleet running, another friend tracked them in a Maruti Ignis packed with spare batteries and charging equipment.

Walking over a hundred kilometres along a busy highway with scale models presents unique challenges. The group stuck strictly to the shoulders of the road, but the journey wasn't without casualties. Near Inchathotty in Kothamangalam, a speeding vehicle veered too close to the shoulder and completely crushed one of their mini-cars. Fortunately, they had brought six vehicles in total, allowing them to keep moving forward.

While some passersby initially poked fun at grown men playing with toys on a state highway, the trio found unwavering support from their families and the crowds they met along the way.

"We initially estimated the journey would take about a day and a half," Amal Mukundan said. "However, crowds kept gathering by the roadside to watch us. We ended up stopping constantly just to talk to people, explain how the cars work, and share our message."

More than just Toys

The world of remote-controlled vehicles has evolved far beyond basic department store toys. Modern RC cars are precise engineering replicas of luxury and off-road vehicles. They feature complex suspension systems, realistic drivetrains, and can be powered by high-capacity electric batteries or miniature petrol engines.

Across India, a dedicated subculture has emerged around these machines, complete with structured clubs and high-stakes racing championships that draw serious enthusiasts.

By the time Amal, Srihari, and Sajin finally arrived in Munnar around 2:00 PM on Monday, their legs were heavy, but their point had been made. They proved that a passion for a niche hobby can be channelled into a powerful conversation starter for a healthier lifestyle.