Rahul Dholakia, the director known for films like 'Raees', 'Parzania', and 'Lamhaa', recently opened up about the personal and professional challenges he faced during the making of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Raees'. In a recent interview, Dholakia revealed the emotional turmoil he experienced while filming the movie, as his mother was in the ICU at the time.
Dholakia described the period as a "nightmare," recounting how he would spend his nights at the hospital with his mother and then go to the set to direct Shah Rukh Khan and the rest of the crew, pretending everything was normal. Despite the immense personal stress and chronic pain he was suffering from, Dholakia felt he couldn't take a break because Shah Rukh Khan was on set and the schedule had to be maintained. He emphasized the importance of not bringing personal problems to the set, a sentiment that reflects the demanding and often unforgiving nature of the film industry.
Dholakia has been candid about the impact of filmmaking on his health. He revealed that he developed diabetes after one film, high blood pressure after another, and even suffered a heart attack. He also spoke about the challenges of dealing with egos, tantrums, and power games that are prevalent in the industry.
In a conversation with Mashable, Dholakia recalled how he had always envisioned Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role for 'Raees'. He recounted how the idea solidified when he passed by Khan's residence, Mannat. Dholakia revealed that after sending the script to Farhan Akhtar, the project began to grow significantly. Farhan expressed interest in producing the film alongside his partner Ritesh Sidhwani, who then asked Dholakia to provide a list of five potential actors for the lead role. Dholakia responded with just one name: Shah Rukh Khan. Ritesh initially laughed it off, but Dholakia expressed that he was serious about casting Khan.
Dholakia also reminisced about the time when he was driving to a restaurant near Mannat for coffee, and Sarika suggested he send the script to Shah Rukh Khan. He admitted that Khan was the perfect fit for the role and could easily envision him as Raees, despite not knowing him personally at the time. Interestingly, Sarika was able to get Khan's number, and Dholakia decided to text him. However, he humorously recalled that he never received a reply from the actor.
The director later revealed that he had initially approached Irrfan Khan for the lead role, but he declined, stating that he was unwilling to accept a script where his character dies at the end. When Dholakia then reached out to Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the actor showed interest but preferred to play the role of the cop.
Dholakia's experience highlights the intense pressures that filmmakers often face, balancing personal crises with the demands of a high-stakes profession. He also confessed that speaking on mental health is still a stigma, especially on film sets. He added, "Our industry is such a performance-driven industry that people are afraid to say they're not well. There's always a fear of being dropped. No one wants to look weak. That's a big problem — it's always do or die". His advice to younger artists: “Your life is yours. Don't let anyone take it away from you. If you feel low, don't feel shy to take help — you have to look after yourself". Looking back, Dholakia shares a rare note of regret, “If I could tell my younger self one thing, I'd say — don't let alcohol or smokes or any substance dictate you. Face the problems. Deal with them”.
Despite the difficulties, 'Raees' was a significant film for Dholakia and a successful one for Shah Rukh Khan. The movie, which was released in 2017, saw Shah Rukh Khan essaying the role of Raees, a ruthless bootlegger based in Ahmedabad. The film also starred Mahira Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles.
