When Raees hit the big screens in 2017, it was celebrated as Shah Rukh Khan's return to gritty action. The film was a commercial success, collecting over 280 crore globally, and marked a high point in Rahul Dholakia’s career. But what the audience never saw was the silent personal battle that the director fought while creating one of his biggest films.
In a recent interview, Dholakia revealed that during the filming of Raees, his mother was in the intensive care unit. Despite dealing with immense emotional strain and physical health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even a heart attack, Rahul kept showing up to set every day. At a time when Bollywood did not make space for personal struggles, the fear of being replaced haunted him.
Shah Rukh Khan was already on set. The team was ready to shoot. And Rahul felt he could not let his personal life spill into the professional space. So he quietly began a routine that would break most people. Nights were spent in the hospital by his mother's bedside, and mornings began with lights, camera, and action. He never let anyone on set know the pain he was carrying.
The pressure was not just emotional. Balancing the egos and expectations of superstars, producers, and the crew while managing chronic pain took a heavy toll. But for Rahul, it was clear. His job as a director meant showing up, no matter the storm.
Reflecting on how he decompresses, Rahul said he finds comfort in watching classic feel-good movies like Legally Blonde, Rocky, or My Cousin Vinny. He also relies on moments with his sister, mother, and close friends to regain his sense of calm.
What stands out most is Rahul’s honesty about the emotional cost of being in the film industry. He shared that most people in Bollywood hide their vulnerabilities because there is always the fear of being replaced. In an industry built around performance and perfection, weakness is a luxury very few can afford.
But Rahul’s story is a reminder that behind every blockbuster is a crew of real people with real struggles. His ability to craft a hit film while silently carrying so much grief is a testament to the quiet resilience many in the industry never speak about.
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