Producer Rajan Shahi’s daughter #IshikaShahi is set to make a mark in the entertainment industry!

Producer-director #RajanShahi has many reasons to celebrate. Not only has he consolidated his position in the television industry with hit shows, but his daughter Ishika Shahi, too, is set to make a mark in the industry. “That makes it four generations in one family who have contributed to the entertainment industry… it makes me really proud,” says Rajan.

His maternal grandfather late P Jairaj was an acclaimed actor, filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee. But Rajan learned the basics of the business through sheer hard work, and in a career spanning 30 years, he rose from the grassroots level to create a niche for himself.

He began by assisting director Ravi Rai and later set up a number of popular shows as a director. In 2007, he turned producer and made shows like Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai, Amrit Manthan, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, Havan and Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke under his banner Director’s Kut Productions. His Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is the longest-running show on Indian television and has aired more than 3,500 episodes in the past 13 years.

In 2020, Rajan teamed up with his mother, Deepa Shahi, and formed a new production house Shahi Productions Pvt Ltd. Their show Anupamaa is the number one show today. Equally popular is his Marathi show Aai Kuthe Kay Karte with which he made his foray into regional content.
Ask Rajan the secret behind his rise and he says, “Whatever I am today is because of my guru Ravi Rai, my parents’ blessings and my team.” What’s interesting is that even today Rajan is very passionate about his craft and gets involved in all creative and production aspects of his shows. Having given a number of actors and technicians work opportunities over the years, he believes in encouraging newer talent. But there is no substitute for hard work, he says.

And now, he is happy to see his daughter Ishika working hard to pursue her dreams and trying to make it on her own. Says the proud father, “I got to know about some of her modelling campaigns only after she had completed them. She had been going for auditions regularly, which I didn’t know about. I am happy to see that she has started from the grassroots level and is climbing the ladder steadily on her own merit. In fact, her mother (Pearl Grey) and I have always encouraged her to be independent and take her own decisions.” Ye Ristha Kya Kehlata Hai and Anupamaa are being loved by masses and classes and have set a benchmark in terms of quality content and connecting with audiences’ heart.