Silchar Collegiate’s Saptaraj Rocks the Floor with Bollywood Superstar Akshay Kumar

Silchar’s very own Saptaraj Chakraborty has carved a name for himself in Mumbai, the land of dreams. Recently, he worked with Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar for an advertising campaign and basked in the success of his web series Bajao, which won several prestigious awards. His journey from being an engineering student in Jaipur to becoming a filmmaker and establishing his creative agency in Mumbai is nothing short of inspiring.

In this feature, we’ll explore how Saptaraj’s life took a drastic turn after moving away from Silchar, and how his love for filmmaking grew. From making short films in college to rubbing shoulders with big names in the industry, his path was not always easy, but his passion and persistence paid off. His story reflects the struggles and triumphs of a young man following his dreams in the competitive world of cinema.

“Passion has no cheating, it has no shortcuts.”

Saptaraj’s journey began as a student at Silchar Collegiate School. In Silchar he was well-known for his active participation in sports and other activities. However, everything changed when he left Silchar to pursue engineering in Jaipur. The transition was difficult; in Jaipur, nobody knew who he was. He often felt like he was in no man’s land, a stark contrast to the recognition he had in Silchar. It was during this time of isolation that he met Shiva Verma, a fellow student who shared a deep passion for cinema. Shiva introduced Saptaraj to filmmaking, and what began as a way to pass the time soon turned into a lifelong passion.

He stated “I started to like the whole process that goes on behind the scenes to make the scenes work,” Saptaraj explained. Together with Shiva, he began creating music videos and short films, attending a film society, and building a small creative community in Jaipur.

He soon moved to Mumbai. The decision to move to Mumbai wasn’t easy, but Saptaraj and Shiva made the plunge. “Muh uthake Mumbai agaye,” he said, reflecting on their bold move. Once in Mumbai, they founded their own production house, Atarkya Creatives, and began making short horror films and other creative projects. Small editing gigs helped them keep afloat, but soon, bigger opportunities started coming their way, including the creation of their web series Bajao for Jio Cinema.

Bajao, released in 2023, is an eight-episode comedy series that reflects much of Saptaraj’s own journey and struggles. The series received widespread acclaim, winning three awards at the IWM Buzz Digital Awards 2024. Bajao was named the Most Popular Comedy Show, while rapper Raftar, who plays a key role in the series, won Power Performer of the Year. Sahil Khattar, another actor from the series, bagged the award for Most Popular Actor in a Comic Role.

In addition to its success at the IWM Buzz Digital Awards, Bajao has garnered several other prestigious accolades. At the Mid-Day Showbiz Icons 2024 Awards, Sahil Khattar was honoured as the Iconic Actor in a Comic Role for a Web Series, while Tanuj Virwani took home the award for Iconic Actor OTT for Web Series. Tanuj Virwani also received recognition for his outstanding performances at the India International Influencer Awards 2023. Furthermore, Mahira Sharma, another key cast member, was awarded Best OTT Debut at the 29th Lions Gold Awards, further solidifying the show’s impact in the industry. For Saptaraj, seeing his work recognised in this way was incredibly fulfilling. “Seeing our work bring such awards is extremely rewarding for us,” he said.

Before settling in Mumbai, Saptaraj also spent some time in Delhi, where he gained valuable experience working on music videos. This was around the time Bollywood films like Vicky Donor were being shot in Delhi, and the city was becoming a hub for film production. It was in Delhi that Saptaraj crossed paths with Raftar, a budding rapper at the time. They collaborated on several music videos, and this connection eventually led to Raftar’s involvement in Bajao, Saptaraj fondly refers to Delhi as his “second love,” as it played a significant role in shaping his filmmaking career.

Saptaraj’s work in Delhi also introduced him to the vibrant world of Punjabi rap, which heavily influenced the storyline of Bajao. The series mirrors many aspects of his life, from the struggles of making it in the entertainment industry to the camaraderie between young artists trying to break into the world of music and film. His ability to draw from his own experiences and translate them into engaging content has been key to his success.

More recently, Saptaraj had the opportunity to work with Akshay Kumar on an ad campaign for Welspun, where they recreated iconic moments from the actor’s films. “Working with Akshay was an incredible experience,” he said. “He’s one of the most professional and kind-hearted actors I’ve ever met. He’s been in the industry longer than I’ve been alive, but he listened to my directions like a true professional and behaved like a friend. It was a joyful experience. He’s like a typical Delhi guy,” Saptaraj added with a smile.

Looking to the future, Saptaraj dreams of making feature-length films and hopes to see a thriving film culture develop in his hometown, Silchar. Although he couldn’t share details, he hinted that he’s currently in talks for a major project that could be a game-changer for his career. For now, he remains focused on continuing his creative journey in Mumbai and expanding his production house.

Despite achieving so much in his career, Saptaraj Chakraborty has never forgotten his roots. He remains deeply connected to his hometown of Silchar and often visits whenever he gets the chance. Saptaraj is still in close contact with his old friends from Silchar, and his bond with the place where his journey began continues to hold great importance in his life. No matter how far his career takes him, he proudly carries the essence of Silchar with him, staying grounded and remembering the values and experiences that shaped him.

Saptaraj’s message to the youth of Barak Valley is simple: don’t be afraid to take risks. He believes that following one’s passion requires courage, but it’s important to be prepared for the challenges that come with it. “Passion has no cheating, it has no shortcuts. Work on it,” he advised. “You’ll have good days and bad days, but with persistence, you can achieve your dreams.”

In this digital age, Saptaraj emphasised the importance of upskilling and using the resources available online to improve one’s craft. “All kinds of lessons are available at the tip of our hands now,” he said, urging young creators to take advantage of these opportunities and keep pushing forward. With his success story, Saptaraj Chakraborty is proof that taking risks and following your heart can lead to incredible achievements.