'Before I die, I’ll say roll, camera, action': Former assistant director now drives Rapido to make ends meet

Viraj Srivastav is not only a filmmaker in waiting but also a trained musician.

When filmmaker and content creator Ratnam E M Kalra booked a Rapido bike ride recently, he had no idea the man behind the handlebar would leave him – and thousands online – deeply moved. The rider, Viraj Srivastav, turned out to be a former assistant director whose story of grit, grief, and unwavering ambition has now captured the internet’s attention.

Kalra recounted the unexpected encounter in a reel posted to Instagram. The conversation began when Srivastav noticed an action camera strapped to Kalra’s shoulder and asked if he was a vlogger. When Kalra replied that he was a filmmaker, Srivastav responded simply, “So was I.”

It turned out to be a twist of fate. This was Srivastav’s very first day riding with Rapido, and Kalra was his first customer. Their shared background sparked an emotional conversation, transforming an ordinary ride into something almost cinematic.

Srivastav, who comes from a modest background, had once worked as an assistant director on the popular Zee TV serial "Qubool Hai", which starred Surbhi Jyoti and Karan Singh Grover. “My first salary was Rs 2,250,” he said in the video, a modest sum that nonetheless lit the fire of his creative passion.

But tragedy soon derailed his plans. Srivastav lost his father, and financial pressures forced him to abandon his studies and dreams. He had to move away, leaving his mother behind, and the weight of that separation still lingers.

In the reel, Srivastav spoke with quiet determination about his life’s detour. “I’ve filled three passports, travelled half the world, and now I do part-time jobs just to survive,” he said. He admitted how much he misses his mother, and recalled a moment of complete despair: “There was a time when I didn’t even know how to go back home.”

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Despite the challenges, his spirit never broke. Srivastav is not only a filmmaker in waiting but also a trained musician. He plays the drums, congo, and ukulele, and is also trained in thumri, a semi-classical Indian vocal form. His artistic vision remains resolute. “Before I die,” he declared, “I’ll sit on that director’s chair and call out ‘Roll, camera, action’.”

Kalra, clearly moved by the encounter, called Srivastav “special, stubborn, and talented”. The internet agreed. The video quickly went viral, resonating deeply with viewers who recognised the story not just as one of loss, but of unbreakable will.

Several public figures joined the chorus of support. Chitrashi Rawat, known for her role in "Chak De! India" and her background as a hockey player, praised Viraj in the comments, calling him an incredible person. Influencer and actress Kusha Kapila also commented on the reel, referencing Srivastav’s powerful words from the conversation.

Other social media users echoed similar sentiments. One user praised his unshakeable spirit, while another pointed out that it is precisely this kind of stubborn resilience that sets people apart.