Amit Rai Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Amit Rai

• Amit Rai is an Indian director and writer who became famous after the release of the film OMG 2, directed by him, in 2023.

• During his childhood, he relocated to Ulhasnagar in Thane, Maharashtra. He had a strong interest in filmmaking from his teenage years, but his father wished for him to be an engineer or doctor. As a result, he chose to study science in college.

• During his teenage years, Amit Rai’s fascination with filmmaking began while he assisted his father. Interestingly, his father worked in a mill and lent money to a friend who ventured to Dubai. His father lost hope of ever being repaid, but fate took an unexpected turn when the friend returned with a top-notch VCR set.

• Lacking a television at home, his father contemplated selling the VCR; however, a shopkeeper’s suggestion prompted him to buy a TV in instalments and establish a video parlour, realizing it could be a source of income given his unemployment. Amit soon joined his father in the video parlour enterprise and often watched movies with customers. Over time, this exposure kindled Amit’s curiosity in the art of crafting films.

• Once he finished his college studies, he began teaching and people started calling him Masterji in his area. After teaching for about three years, he became financially stable and chose to work in the entertainment field. Eventually, he talked to his father and got him to agree to his dream of becoming a filmmaker.
  

  Amit Rai (left) when he decided to become a filmmaker

• During his interview for admission to the Centre for Performing Arts at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Amit Rai faced a language barrier as he was not proficient in Marathi; however, one of the interview panel members, Waman Kendre, recognized Amit from his participation in NSD workshops and requested him to perform a solo play. Amit enacted a scene from the play ‘Tughlaq’ in Bhojpuri, which impressed the panel and led to his selection. Over time, he managed to learn Marathi and even excelled in the course, securing a top position.

• Before entering the world of films, Amit Rai spent 14 years working in theatre. During this time, he took on various roles including acting, directing, and designing sets.
  

  Amit Rai (right) with a friend

• He kickstarted his film journey by serving as an assistant to esteemed directors like Anurag Basu and Anurag Kashyap. Notably, he contributed to the Marathi film ‘Tingya’ in 2008, marking his involvement in the industry.

• His directorial debut film ‘Road to Sangam’ starred notable actors such as Paresh Rawal, Pavan Malhotra, Om Puri, and Mahatma Gandhi‘s great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi. The concept for this film took shape in 2006 when he encountered a tale about a Muslim mechanic named Hasmatullah, who had repaired the vehicle transporting Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes in 1948.
  

  Amit Rai (left) with Om Puri and Paresh Rawal during the shoot of his debut film, Road to Sangam

• ‘Road to Sangam’ garnered acclaim from reviewers and clinched over ten international accolades, including the prestigious Best Feature Film award at the Radar Hamburg Fest in Germany and the distinction of Best Narrative Feature at the White Sands Fest in New Mexico.

• In 2023, Amit Rai rose to global prominence with the release of the film ‘OMG 2‘ which featured renowned actors including Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, Yami Gautam, and Aarush Varma. Amit Rai’s direction was widely commended; many viewers found his approach to handling the intricate and delicate subject of sex education to be refreshingly straightforward, devoid of any explicit content.
  

  Amit Rai (third from right) during the promotion of the film OMG 2

• Although the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) initially rated the film as ‘A’ (suitable for adults), Amit Rai voiced his dissent after the film’s release. He openly criticized the CBFC’s decision and appealed to the board to reconsider and alter the rating. ^[4]Bollywood Hungama
  

  Amit Rai after the release of OMG 2

• The storyline of his debut short film ‘Ipad’ revolved around a man who ingeniously creates a machine to produce low-cost sanitary pads. This narrative was inspired by the real-life experiences of Arunachalam Muruganantham from Tamil Nadu, who pioneered efforts to make sanitary products accessible to women.
  

  Amit Rai (centre, standing) during the shoot of his debut short film, Ipad

• In 2020, he took on the role of director for the short film ‘In Pursuit of Light.’ The film’s storyline followed a man’s journey to distant corners of Maharashtra, where he provided cataract treatment to the Adivasi community. This poignant narrative garnered recognition and accolades, securing multiple awards at various international film festivals.

• He has crafted the storyline for ‘OMG 2’ (2023) and is also the creative mind behind ‘Dear Jassi,’ which is anticipated for release in the same year.
  

  Amit Rai (second from left) with other filmmakers from Bollywood

• Once he finished his school exams, Amit Rai successfully passed the entrance test for the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi. Unfortunately, his father intervened and prevented him from relocating to Delhi. After some time, he managed to persuade his father to allow him to pursue a career in the entertainment field. Subsequently, he attempted the entrance examination for the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune; however, he fell short by just one mark and didn’t make it through.

• Initially against Amit Rai’s directorial pursuits, his father’s sentiments shifted after watching the debut film ‘Road to Sangam’ with an appreciative audience. Following the screening, while returning home, Amit’s father repeatedly discussed the positive reception and his pride in Amit’s achievements.

• In 2010, post the release of his first film ‘Road to Sangam,’ Amit Rai appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to exempt the film from taxes within the state. When an official raised concerns about missing documents, Amit promptly responded that he had provided some during their meeting and had faxed the outstanding documents on the same day. ^[5]The Indian Express