LONDON, UK - Just 21, Bahrain Mujagata is making waves as London's youngest licensed black-cab driver, a feat he achieved in record time by completing The Knowledge in two years and five months. This remarkable accomplishment eclipses the average completion time of three to four years.
With his father and brother also working as black-cab drivers, it was inevitable that Mujagata would follow in their footsteps. But what sets him apart is his unique combination of studies - he's a computer science student at university - and a passion for acting, which he pursues on the side.
As London's youngest black-cab driver, Mujagata has become an overnight sensation among passengers. They shower him with flowers, chocolates, and even tickets to high-profile events like Formula One races. Strangers stop him in the street to take photos and chat with him, making his days as busy as they are exciting.
The road to becoming a black-cab driver was not an easy one for Mujagata. He had to learn every inch of London's vast network - 25,000 streets, thousands of landmarks, stations, hotels, theatres, hospitals, and public buildings. To keep up his momentum, he would often wake at 4am to practise routes on a moped and revise during college breaks.
The oral examinations proved particularly daunting. Candidates must sit face-to-face with an examiner who can grill them about any route in London, but Mujagata's father offered valuable guidance throughout the process. His family made sacrifices to support him too - adjusting their schedules to accommodate his demanding study routine.