Success Stories of Passionate People.... Story I
Sanjay Raichura
Following your passion is the rule of today’s gen, but things weren’t so
rosy 2 decades back. The previous generations have sacrificed their desires,
passions in the name of family, trend, society etc etc. But, in the struggle of
following your dreams, there were some who were not willing to follow others
but to their heart. There were some who were born to lead and not to follow. There
are people who are not willing to do a tedious 9 to 5 job, as the only happiness
could be achieved from these jobs is the salary day, and rest of days are just
to pass.
My first blog on the “success stories of passionate people”, is about a
guy who left his family when he was just seventeen, to follow his dream. This
boy wasn’t sure how he would be leading his life with just 1500 bucks in his
pockets and he rented a 2500 bucks flat then. Today, this person is the
well-acknowledged name in more than 100 tollywood superhit movies such as
Magadheera, Stalin, Mass, Super etc. He is a name in the field of photography
and acting.
Sanjay Raichura, a very poised and warm personality, who will make you
fall in love with his aura of spreading happiness around. I have never met a
person before who is so charmingly warm and loving to the people whomsoever he
meets. I invited Mr. Sanjay for the book launch of my book Innocent Wings at
Hyderabad Literary Fest, through a common friend. I was sceptical whether he
would come or not, and if he comes, how will I manage a filmstar, and his tantrums.
I was literally nervous when he agreed to come as a guest for my book launch.
Sanjay was totally contrasting of what I have thought about him. A
chaming, down to Earth person, who walks, spreading love. I bet you would fall
in love with his smile that he carries with him, in every situation. His
nature, his success, and his aura, made me inquisitive to know more about him
and his success story.
Being into media and films, Sanjay is choosy when it comes to selecting
friends. He is a unique blend of Gujarati and South Indian cultures. Born in
1964 in a Gujju family in Calicut, Kerala. His family shifted to Hyderabad in 1967,
when he was just 3, and from then he blended with the South-Indian culture.
Sanjay never had much interest in studies though he belonged to an highly
educated family. He was considered as a looser in the eyes of his father. To
clear each grade he took his own time. He was seventeen when he reached grade X.
Though studies used to take his peace off mind, but there was an instrument
called camera, that attacted him soulfully.
Little Sanjay never had any interest in studies and so he was never in the good books of his father. His father had a notion that this boy would bring bad name to the family reputation. His childhood was spent hiding from father and teachers and clicking pictures. He opted for photography club in school and there were 82 students who were with him in this club. This boy noticed that for every click each child had to pay, and when he compared the price in the market for one picture it was just double. So the young photographer having a business mind noticed the kind of profit the photographers are making, it was into *2 (just double).
Sanjay’s father wanted him to study but he admired photography, and when
he was seventeen in grade tenth, he left his home. With just 1500 rupees in his
pockets, he left his protected world to explore things from his four eyes, (including
his camera). Strangely, he had just 1500 rupees and he rented a flat of 2500
rupees. Though the struggle wasn’t easy but he had a never compromising nature,
that became his strength to work -hard to achieve his luxuries, he desired.
Generally we compromise depending on the budget we have, even I do, and
then it becomes an habit and then nature. But, this non-compromising nature of
Raichura Garu, inspires me, that we are capable to achieve what we desire without
any compromises. He has achieved with nothing to a super-photographer and a well-known actor.
He did all kinds of photographies, from events to marriages, industry,
fashion, food, jewellery and so much more. With photography he also started
getting offers for the movies. In 2001, a friend of his offered him a role of a
second villain and he accepted it. He played his role very proficiently. Sanjay
never begged or asked for anything, not even marketing of his work. He just followed his
passion and success followed him.
Sanjay loves Hyderabad than any other place in the world. He believes
that, “I am in the learning stage, every day I learn something new but I
fail to understand why I am given a doctor’s role in most of the films, even
Stalin.” Sanjay mentioned a bitter truth in his interview to me, that when
you follow your passion, relationships are always on the rocks. Implies, either
you compromise with your passion or fulfil the rational or irrational demands
of your loved ones, choice is always yours.
This veteran actor and photographer has inspired me completely to lead a
life with passion and no compromises, I hope the story would inspire you too. I
am sure, that his father must have understood that this boy didn’t brought any
bad name to the family but added glories to the name of Raichuras.
His Philosophy of life, - "Give not all, that you become a beggar by it.....!
Take not all, that you get burried in it...!"
Again, this story made me feel that parents who are the building blocks
for shaping the future of any child should support them. Don’t force your
expectations or capabilities on your child. Respect his or identity, and let
them live, let them fly….
Check the link below for my book Innocent Wings, and do read, like and share the blog and the book too.
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