'I cried for my mother but couldn't return': Ex-assistant director now drives Rapido to chase his filmmaking dreams

When filmmaker and content creator Ratnam E M Kalra booked a Rapido ride, he didn’t expect the man behind the bike to be an assistant director. But that’s exactly what unfolded when he met Viraj Srivastav — a former assistant director turned Rapido captain — whose story of grit, loss, and unshakable ambition is now touching thousands online.

Kalra shared the encounter on Instagram, saying it all started when Srivastav noticed an action camera strapped to his shoulder and asked if he was a vlogger. When Kalra replied that he was a filmmaker, Srivastav said, “So was I.” That sparked a conversation that turned a routine ride into something unforgettable. It was Srivastav’s very first day with Rapido, and Kalra happened to be his first ride — a twist of fate that felt almost cinematic.

Originally from a modest background, Srivastav had worked as an assistant director on Zee TV’s hit show Qubool Hai, starring Surbhi Jyoti and Karan Singh Grover. His first salary was a humble ₹2,250, but it was enough to ignite his passion. However, life threw a devastating curveball when his father passed away. Forced to put his dreams on hold, Srivastav dropped out of his studies due to financial constraints and moved away, leaving his mother behind.


In Kalra’s reel, Srivastav reflects on his journey with quiet determination: he’s travelled across half the world, filled up three passports, but now finds himself working part-time gigs just to get by. He shares how deeply he misses his mother, recalling the helplessness of not knowing how to return home after everything fell apart.

But his spirit never broke. Srivastav is not just a filmmaker in waiting — he’s also a trained musician. He plays drums, congo, and ukulele, and is trained in thumri, a semi-classical vocal form. He still holds tight to one vision: “Before I die, I’ll sit on that director’s chair and call out ‘Roll, camera, action’.”

Kalra calls Srivastav “special, stubborn, and talented,” and clearly, the internet agrees. The video has gone viral, not just for the story it tells, but for the reminder it offers — that no matter where life takes you, some dreams are too loud to stay silent.

The internet is moved by the clip
Chitrashi Rawat, known for her role in Chak De! India and her background as a hockey player responded to the reel with admiration, calling Viraj an incredible person. Influencer-turned-actress Kusha Kapila also chimed in, referencing Viraj’s powerful words from the interview. Many others echoed similar sentiments, deeply moved by his determination and resilience. One user praised his spirit, while another highlighted how it’s that unshakeable stubbornness for success that truly sets people apart.