More to soapie star than Rajesh

Bike and car enthusiast Jack Devnarain started out as a policeman and is now a successful actor, writes Itumeleng Motuba

TO television lovers he is known as conservative businessman Rajesh Kumar but Jack Devnarain is anything but boring. He is a weightlifter, biker and car enthusiast.

He started his career as an actor when he was still a policeman in Durban.

In 1998 he decided to swap his badge for the small screen. He has since warmed the hearts of many as the straight-laced Rajesh.

Though most know him from the beloved soapie Isidingo, Devnarain has also featured in a number of great productions and movies with the likes of Val Kilmer and iconic Indian art film director Shyam Benegal.

He has won People Magazine's Crystal Award for Best Soapie Actor and Favourite Actor award at the You Magazine Spectacular in 2006.

He was a nominee in the South African Film and TV Awards (Safta) in 2008 in the People's Choice "Best Hero" category.

Jack is still down to earth, though. Here he shares a few stories about his love for cars

What was you first car?

A Nissan 1400 bakkie.

What did it cost?

About R12000 if my memory serves me correctly.

What attracted you to it?

It was a little banged up but the engine was a gem. I needed a run-around that could handle traffic, was economical and could carry the odd load. It came "rust free". I paid for everything else, but the rust was free!

How long did you have it?

About two years.

What is your current car?

I drive a 2010 Subaru Forester. I don't think I'll ever drive anything but a Subaru again!

What is the most surprising thing about your current car?

Nothing really ... it's a station wagon with amazing load space, very good safety features and fuel consumption that relates directly to the weight of my right foot.

Tell us about your first big accident?

I've had three fender benders in my life, none of them serious. I put that down to the defensive and advanced driver training from my days as a policeman. Interestingly, none of those three crashes occurred after I received that training. Of course, nobody knows what's coming round every corner, so here's hoping ...

You are driving down the Cote d'Azur in a Ferrari Daytona; who would your dream passenger be?

I think that moment is best savoured alone. I could have any number of people with me as a passenger - my wife, my son, any one of my close friends - but I don't think I'd have anything to say to them as I embraced the drive.

What is your dream car and why?

As a kid I used to dream of the Lamborghini Countach, then various Porsches, even graduating to an Aston Martin as I grew older.

But I have no dream car. I drive because I have to get somewhere and, as long as the car is well maintained and everyone remains safe at the end of the journey, then I've arrived in my dream car.