Interview: 'I Did It My Way' – Rajan Lall’s Journey of Grit, Ambition, and Unstoppable Determination

It’s not every day that we encounter a life story so compelling that it demands to be chronicled in a book. Yet, when I recently attended the launch of I Did It My Way, the biography of renowned Bollywood producer and businessman Rajan Lall, I found myself captivated by his journey. The event in Dubai brought together the book’s author, Manju Ramanan, and the man himself — Rajan Lall — for an inspiring discussion that delved into his remarkable path to success.

From cinematic triumphs to entrepreneurial milestones, Lall’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and fearless determination. The conversation illuminated his ability to defy conventions and carve his own path — making I Did It My Way not just a biography but a testament to the power of unwavering vision. My interview with them was no less than inspiring for me as well.

The Inspiration Behind the Birth of This Book

Manju Ramanan met Rajan Lall in June 2021 for an interview for Filmfare Middle East when I was working the Editor. During the conversation, she said that he shared several old albums preserved by his mother, dating back to 1923 in Karachi. In 1947, the year he was born, his family and friends migrated to India and settled in Mumbai.

"After our discussion, I quickly proposed the idea of a book, as I realized that his eventful life couldn't possibly be summarized in a 1,200-word article. So, I suggested that we write a book instead. It took four years!"

Rajan Lall responded: "At first, I told her I didn't have the patience for it. But she insisted, saying she would take care of it. It's only because of her determination and continuous effort to push me forward that this book is now complete. If it had been left to me, it would never have been finished.

"Manju was a warrior throughout this journey — she fought, she insisted, and she ensured that we wrote and completed the book. I owe her everything for this book; its success is entirely hers. She was the guiding light behind it. Manju documented my life events and wrote my story with absolute dedication. She deserves all the recognition because this book is truly her creation—she is the real producer."

Manju continues: "No, it was the story itself that captivated me. It was fascinating, and that's why the book succeeded. Rajan has a remarkable life story that unfolds across three layers: first, his personal journey; second, the Bollywood connection, which intertwines with his life like strands of DNA; and third, his professional career. These three narratives come together in the book, offering readers many valuable lessons."

She added: "For me, he was a mentor, a guide—the kind of elder you can confide in, seek advice from, and rely on. That made him a significant part of my journey with the book."

Challenges and the Creative Process

Every creative project comes with its challenges, so we wanted to explore the fusion of Rajan Lall's personal story with Manju Ramanan's expertise in writing and production.

Manju shared: "There weren't many major difficulties since we had structured timelines. Rajan traveled frequently, and I had a full-time job when we started. We would meet on weekends, but eventually, I left my job, giving me more time to work on the book. However, Rajan was still traveling a lot and faced health issues along the way."

Rajan Lall added: "In the past two and a half years, I've had serious health challenges—four heart attacks, followed by Covid-19, knee surgery, and more."

To this, Manju reflects on what she learned from the experience: "He always told me, 'After every heart attack, there will be a grand celebration when I recover.' From that, I learned an important lesson—one that I say with humility: celebrating life. I learned to cherish every small moment because life is finite, but the joy we infuse into it is what truly matters."

Made In The UAE

Rajan Lal takes great pride in the book and its origins. "The book was entirely produced in the UAE. It was written here, photographed here, and even the cover was shot here. The entire journey of writing and publishing took place on UAE soil. Our publisher is also based here. I Did It My Way is a 100% Emirati-made product, and I'm very proud of that."

Advice for Aspiring Creators in the Digital Age

As industry experts, when asked about what advice do Rajan Lall have for young actors, producers, writers, and creatives in today's digital era, he quips: "Everyone has a passion. So, my first advice is to find your passion."

He adds: "Last night, I was watching Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) during their 'Children's Week.' A young girl, around nine or ten years old, spoke with immense confidence when asked about her dreams. She said, 'I want to be an expert in robotics.' She had so much knowledge about the subject that even the host was amazed and struggled to keep up with her."

"This is what parents need to understand. I've seen immensely talented young singers and artists on Indian Idol. Parents should encourage their children to discover and nurture their true talents instead of forcing them into conventional career paths. My advice to parents: identify your child's unique gift and help them develop it—whether it's in sports, music, or anything else.

"Once children find their path, they must follow it with consistency. If you pursue your passion with dedication and sincerity, you will succeed. That's the message of my book's title—I swam against the tide."

Different Paths to Success

For Manju, the journey to finding her passion was quite different. "I was the black sheep of my family. I barely passed my exams, and I didn't enjoy studying. Eventually, I was forced into a job I didn't love. But fate had other plans."

She recalls: "One day, I met someone who gave me a chance to step into the business world, and I took it. That's where my journey began, and I never looked back.

"There will always be people willing to help you when they see your honesty and commitment to your path. I had to fight challenges, not once, but perhaps seven, eight, or even ten times in my life. I faced them head-on and overcame them, with divine grace."

Rajan Lal added: "I believe that in life, we often say we work hard, but I think success is 80% luck and 20% hard work."

The Art of Creating Decisions

In an emotional moment, Rajan Lall, when asked about failures and how to avoid them, he answered: "I want to be very clear—before making any life decision, think about the consequences.

"I made impulsive decisions in my life, which led to mistakes that I've shared in my book. So, whenever you have to make an important choice, analyze its impact, consider how many people it will affect, and plan accordingly. This is how you avoid failure and make the right decisions."

Rajan Lall added: "I think Manju understands what I mean. Even when she worked at Filmfare, she had the ability to produce something independently. Everything was in place, but she felt uncertain about claiming her worth. Eventually, we had a conversation, and I guided her toward making a crucial decision."

Manju recalled: "I decided to quit my job at that moment." To this, Rajan Lall added: "And she never regretted it. Today, she has found a path that fulfills her passion, and she is thriving."

In her final thoughts, Manju said: "We often get comfortable in our gray zone, avoiding major decisions. But having the book project in my life gave me something to look forward to every day. Through my daily interactions with Rajan Lal, a strong professional and personal bond was formed. Today, I consider him family.

"His journey, filled with events and achievements, took four years to document. And now, here it is in your hands! I hope you enjoy the read!"

The book is scheduled to be released worldwide on March 1, 2025, and will be available in local bookstores and online.