- Karan Kargwal built a real-life BGMI buggy from scratch on a rooftop in Rajasthan.
- Balanced a full-time railway job while building his passion project every weekend.
- Gained over 220K followers as his rooftop buggy build went viral on Instagram.
BGMI fan and Indian Railways technician Karan Kargwal has turned heads across the country by building a fully functional, real-life version of the game’s iconic buggy, all by hand, and from scratch. What started as a weekend passion project on the terrace of his modest home in Sri Ganganagar has since turned into a viral Instagram series with over 2 lakh followers.
We at GamingonPhone got the chance to learn more about Karan’s incredible journey, the obstacles he faced, and how KRAFTON’s Beyond Battlegrounds initiative is now helping bring his dream project to its final stage.
The love for BGMI and the inspiration
Like many, Karan’s journey into Battlegrounds Mobile India began during the COVID-19 lockdown. He joined his friends online, and what started as casual gaming quickly became a deep interest.
“BGMI was more than just a game during those days,” he tells us, “It was how we stayed connected, and slowly, I found myself drawn to it even more.”
Among all the vehicles in the game, the buggy stood out to him. The thrill of driving it in matches sparked an idea: what if he could recreate this in real life? With that thought and a rough sketch in his mind, the dream took its first step.
Building a Buggy on a Rooftop
Balancing a full-time job in Delhi, Karan would travel back home to Sri Ganganagar every weekend to work on the build. The entire project unfolded on the limited space of his home’s terrace, with the desert heat pushing the limits of his endurance.
“There wasn’t much space, but the terrace became my workshop,” he shares. His family played a huge role; his parents and brother stood by him through the ups and downs, encouraging him to keep going. He started by repurposing the engine from his beloved motorcycle, which he didn’t want to sell.
But this was just the beginning. Sourcing the right components, dealing with tight spaces, and even sustaining an injury to his hand weren’t easy. Karan still has a scar on his left hand from one of the accidents, but that never made him think of stopping and instead inspired him to name his Buggy “Wolf”.
Capturing the journey, vlogging, and viral growth
Karan had always been interested in vlogging, so sharing his journey on Instagram came naturally. He began posting updates regularly, showing progress, challenges, and behind-the-scenes moments.
The growth was slow at first, but soon his follower count skyrocketed. “From 50,000 to 100,000 happened almost overnight,” he recalls, “and that’s when I knew people were genuinely connecting with the story.” Today, Karan has over 200K followers on Instagram alone at the time of writing.
With a growing community came plenty of feedback. From engine, colours to mechanical tweaks, people chimed in with suggestions. But Karan stayed true to the build he envisioned. “I always took feedback seriously, but this buggy was my dream. I made sure it reflected my ideas, with help from my close ones,” he says.
Inspiring creativity in many, a journey worth documenting
Karan’s story is a powerful reminder that gaming can inspire real-world creativity. When asked about how games can go beyond entertainment, Karan emphasised the importance of passion. “Having interest is step one. After that, it’s about putting in the work and believing in what you’re doing,” he says.
He also credits a welding course he once took, which gave him the practical skills to bring his idea to life. It became the bridge between his railway technician career and his creator journey.
Karan has shown that determination can break barriers. His journey, from a small-town welder to a viral sensation, isn’t just about gaming. It’s about breaking stereotypes, following your heart, and creating something that speaks to others.
With KRAFTON stepping in to support the final episode of his Instagram series, the buggy project has seen its grand finale at Beyond Battlegrounds. Karan’s story reminds us that the spirit of gaming goes far beyond screens. For many, he is also an inspiration, and we wish the best for his future endeavours.
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