Gajraj Rao is currently making waves with his web series ‘Dupahia’, which has been garnering a lot of praise. Having been a part of the film industry for 31 years, with projects like ‘Badhaai Ho’, ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, and ‘Dabba Cartel’ under his belt, Rao has always had a lingering feeling that big-time filmmakers like Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have overlooked him. In a recent interview, Rao opened up about this and shared how his wife’s words of wisdom changed his perspective on the matter.
Rao revealed that he has always avoided the rat race and chaos, opting to take things easy and being content with his pace. He recounted how, a few years ago, he had attempted to reach out to prominent filmmakers like Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Rohit Shetty, wondering why he wasn’t getting opportunities to work with them. His wife, however, offered him a fresh perspective, saying, “You’re not even on their radar. You should focus on the filmmakers who want to work with you and consider them your Karan Johar and Bhansali.” This piece of advice had a profound impact on Rao, making him realize that he shouldn’t be disheartened by the lack of opportunities from certain big-name directors.
Gajraj Rao’s Disappointment with Not Getting Work from Big Filmmakers
Rao confessed that he has always tried to steer clear of the chaos and competition, preferring to move at his own pace. He admitted that, in the past, he had made efforts to approach big-name filmmakers, hoping to collaborate with them. The likes of Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Rohit Shetty were among those he had tried to reach out to, as he believed their cinema was on a grand scale. However, his wife’s insightful words helped him shift his focus towards the filmmakers who genuinely wanted to work with him.
How His Wife’s Advice Changed His Outlook
Rao’s wife played a significant role in changing his mindset, as she pointed out that he wasn’t even on the radar of these big filmmakers. She advised him to focus on the people who appreciated his work and wanted to collaborate with him, rather than fixation on those who didn’t. This conversation had a profound impact on Rao, making him more content with his own pace and the opportunities that came his way. He learned to appreciate the value of working with filmmakers who believed in him, rather than constantly striving for validation from those who didn’t. With this newfound perspective, Rao has found solace in being the “tortoise” in the race, moving steadily and surely, rather than trying to be the “hare” and risking burnout.