A small town boy with big dreams, headed on a journey unplanned towards an unconventional career. Rahul Modi a resident of Upper Bazaar, Ranchi, hails from a traditional Marwari family. Leaving his family business of Ayurvedic medicine dealership, he decided to join the television and media industry in Mumbai.

But, this is not what he had always planned to do in life. Keen on doing an MBA, he wanted to join his father, learn the nuances of the trade and take the family business to new heights. He completed his schooling from DPS, RK Puram, Delhi followed by a graduation in economics from the prestigious Hindu College, Delhi University. A person never interested in books, Rahul was always enthusiastic about extra- curricular activities. He knew to achieve what he wanted; he needed a good mark-sheet and studied only to score well.

While doing his graduation from Hindu College, Rahul got introduced to the world of theater and dramatics. Interactive sessions with the alumni gave him a taste of what the industry was like. Being actively involved backstage as a script writer and also in the creative team, this is when he realized where his true calling lied. He enjoyed seeing his work enacted upon. “The plan was to do an MBA after my graduation, script writing just happened by chance,” recalls Modi.

Staying in Pune for further education, Modi came across a lot of projects in Mumbai. Working as an intern for these projects, this is when he first set foot in the television industry and since then there has been no looking back. Emotional Atyachar- Season 1, Agle Janam mohe Bitiya hi kijo and Llife without Wife are some of the projects he worked on as an intern.

Working as an associate creative head for one of the shows, Rahul got a call from the famous Rajshri Productions. Joining the production house in June 2011, he started working on Yahan Mein Ghar Ghar Kheli as an associate creative head. He got his first break in writing for the popular TV show Pyaar ka dard hai, Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara, which was aired on Star Plus from June 2012 to November 2014, for which he was the dialogue writer.

Following that he did a string of popular TV soaps like Jhilmil sitaro ka aangan hoga aired on Sahara One and Mere Rang main Rangane Wali aired on Like OK. His last serial Piyaa Albela aired on Zee TV was just wrapped up in August 2018. In between all this he also did Aaj Phir Jeene ki Tammana hai aired on Doordarshan for BBC Productions as a dialogue writer. Five years down the line Rahul hopes to host Filmfare Awards.

Rahul feels it is the producer and director Sooraj Barjatiya who has been a great source of inspiration for him and is his creative force. He considers Raj Kumar Barjatiya fondly known as Raj Babu his mentor and says there is no one like him. “He taught me what is writing and all the praises that I have ever received, I owe it to him,” said Modi. His biggest critics and closest friends are Chandan, Paras, Prerit and Akshay while he draws his strength from his family.

Recalling their childhood, his younger sister Ridhima said, “Since childhood he was very creatively inclined and always wanted to be a part of Rajshri Productions. Seeing him realizing his dreams, I feel extremely happy for him and make it a point to follow his serials.”

Belonging to a traditional family where no one had any idea that a career in the film industry can be respectable and possible for an outsider, Rahul had a tough time convincing his family. “Coming from a joint family in Ranchi, when I told everyone I want to join the television industry, all hell broke loose. They told me to think about it, take as much time as I wanted, but they certainly wanted me to reconsider my decision,”remembers Rahul.  “One of my uncles said, Beta yeh sab jagah aur kaam hum log ke liye nahi hai (Son this work and these places are not for us),” reminisces Rahul.

In spite of what everyone in the family had to say, his parents were always very supportive and encouraging. “Most of the family members were not very happy with his decision, but we as parents supported him from the beginning. When Rahul got a job with Rajshri Productions we were very happy and satisfied. Initially we would not watch any of the daily soaps but now because our son is a part of this industry; we make it a point to follow his shows and give him our feedback. We enjoy his creativity and especially his dialogue writing,’ remarked his parents Kavita and Ravikant Modi.

Rahul believes the universe and especially the industry has been very kind to him. “Two years after I set foot here, I was welcomed in the Rajshri family and since then everyday has been a new journey for me.”