Surprised by the title of this blog post?
Well, you ought to be but this is blog post has a twist. and believe me, it’s nothing like the fraudulent British Raj. This is about creative freedom, about a creative journey; beyond borders and limits.
This is about my friend, philosopher, and guide Raj Solanki who’s a creative soul and among the few ones who believe in the concept of a global village.
I met Raj when I just started my career in media and entertainment in 2000. I was a junior computer graphic artist and he was a senior producer on a B4U Channel.
For me, he was the lord as he had already worked with MTV, Channel [V], Star TV, Sahara TV, Manoranjan TV, Zoom, and Sony Entertainment Television to name a few.
He has been an integral On-Air Creative Director associated with the above channels for Hindi films like Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Don, Dhobi Ghat, Bhootnath, Bodyguard, Barfi!, Dostana and Agneepath.
Creativity, to me, is so much than a skill one lists on the resume. I believe it’s the way of life forms. I’ve tried to bring my creative energies to everything I’ve done — from my college classwork to my internships to my associations with major international organizations from television to films.
The above words from Raj still ring in my head. He was different from all the creative people I’ve met in life.
He has worked on global projects as a creative and visionary director with over 10+ years of career experience working for independent film companies, television broadcast groups, and new-age media. He has displayed excellent communication and decision-making skills, with exceptional multi-tasking abilities adept in leading multi-functional teams in the delivery of quality films and related projects.
He’s a tech-savvy analytical and strategic director with outstanding problem-solving skills. I’ve learned to be well organized, efficient, and always willing to go the extra mile for on-time content delivery from this man. Once he narrated his journey to me that I want to share:
Establishing a significant event in the world of television and films, right from my first venture at Bombay Talkies was truly a great pleasure. The process was happening with all my dedication, devotion, and special attention to television and film. The most exciting part of it was I was the Associate Director for the first Indian version of MTV show BPL Oye.
I still remember today that watching the Hindi song Mehbooba-Mehbooba from Hindi film Sholay on MTV that caused strong feelings of enthusiasm and eagerness in me. Those feelings that have kept my passion alive. Ahead of that, I’d more goal sets in my mind, to be an integral part of the important happenings in the television industry.
So, whenever there was a new venture, I would immediately rush myself to it and be the one to join in the success. To name a few, I’d been active and critical in launching projects as a director for many television channels.
Krissh red-carpet in London was another successful — 22 minutes — anevent captured and executed by him. But by the best of his recent works, in my view, are the episodes of Foodie Comes To America that inspired me to write such a title to this blog post.
I remember working under — or as he would say with — him for a year or so. I learned a lot from him and the values he taught, became my building blocks for the rest of the life.
He’s a spectacular team leader and has attention to detail script editing and composition, team building and development. He possesses excellent communication and time management skills.
Raj is also a philanthropist by heart. He, along with son Aryan, keep doing random acts of kindness to make this world better. When they were in India, we were an integral part of the SOMEONE. SOMEWHERE. community to serve the needy.
To sum up, he’s blessed to have a blend of everything good in them, and I’m blessed to be his friend, ex-colleague, and student.
