Pratik Rawal: Cancer taught me the importance of human values and gratitude

When life throws a curveball, it is easy to get knocked down. But as the saying goes – It’s not the falling that defines us, but that we get up again. It often brings to mind cancer survivor Pratik Rawal’s story, who is a well-known executive producer in the Hindi film industry. Born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Pratik’s dream to see Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow when he was four brought him to Mumbai, and he stayed back.In 1994, he enrolled in college to become an electrical engineer, but life had other plans. At 17, he was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a type of cancer. Doctors in Mumbai gave him a bleak prognosis. Determined to save his life, Pratik’s parents took him to their hometown, Ahmedabad, where he underwent treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation for three years.

He defeated cancer and emerged victorious with willpower and determination. However, instead of dwelling on the past, he chose to move ahead with a renewed energy to fulfil his dreams. Pratik returned to Mumbai, in 1998 and began working as a production assistant. His struggles reaped rewards as he got opportunities to work with renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shah Rukh Khan’s production house. He has worked as an executive producer for some successful movies like ‘Bajirao Mastani’, ‘Padmaavat’, and ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ among others. With a career spanning more than two decades, Pratik’s journey has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. He plans to become a film producer and create content highlighting Indian culture, heritage, and values and give chances to newcomers.
While talking about his journey, Pratik says, “Success, name, fame, and money did not teach me about human values and gratitude. It is life and time that taught me all this when I was put in a difficult and life-threatening situation for three years. We have to understand is no one lives forever, so, we need to be strong and help others as much as we can. Our efforts should be to bring smiles to their faces before the curtains of our life fall. We need to be grateful for whatever God has given us.”