For Rajan, parenthood has never been about passing on privilege. Instead, it has always been about ensuring that his daughter is capable of standing on her own feet. Reflecting on the values he and Pearl as parents have tried to instill in Ishika, Rajan emphasized the importance of self-reliance. “Every person should have a skill or a craft that allows them to earn their own living. You can be the best homemaker in the world, but if circumstances ever require you to support yourself financially, you should have the ability to do so. We never wanted Ishika to rely on her father’s background or her mother’s background. That should always remain secondary. Your own identity and your own capabilities should come first,” he said.
When Ishika expressed her desire to become part of the entertainment industry, Rajan made a conscious decision not to make her journey easier simply because she was his daughter. Instead, he wanted her to understand every aspect of the profession from the ground up. “We had a YouTube channel that had become inactive because television kept me extremely busy. Ishika came in with fresh ideas and a vision for what could be done with it. But I made it clear that she would report to the team and present her ideas just like everyone else. I didn’t want her to be treated differently. I wanted her to earn her place through her work,” Rajan shared.
The veteran producer admitted that stepping back was not always easy, but he believed it was necessary for his daughter’s growth. “I told the team to treat her as Ishika, not as Rajan Shahi’s daughter. I deliberately stepped back because I wanted her to learn independently. She had to understand what it means to reach the set early in the morning, work till late at night, deal with challenges, work with different personalities and solve problems every day. That learning only comes through experience. You fall, you make mistakes and then you grow.”
For Ishika, entering the world of content creation was both exciting and overwhelming. While she had grown up observing the industry from a distance, being actively involved in projects gave her an entirely new perspective. “The first project was overwhelming because I didn’t realise how many small details go into creating a show. You have to think about hair, makeup, costumes and every little aspect of every character. There are so many moving parts that audiences never get to see. But with every project, I learned something new and gained confidence,” she said.
One of the most important lessons she has learned from her father is the value of dedication and perseverance. “When I look at Dad and the way he works, I think hard work is the biggest thing I’ve learned from him. He takes his work very seriously and gives everything his full commitment. Watching that closely has taught me a lot.”
Beyond their professional connection, the father-daughter duo also share a deep love for animals, a passion that has become a significant part of their daily lives. “Animals are something we are both extremely passionate about,” Rajan said.
Expanding on that shared commitment, Ishika revealed, “We feed almost four hundred to five hundred dogs every day in Mumbai. It has become a huge part of our lives. We care deeply about animal welfare and try to do whatever we can.”
For Rajan, success has never been measured solely through professional achievements. He believes that values such as humility, empathy and resilience are equally important. Over the years, he has often advised young actors and professionals to remain grounded regardless of their achievements. “The entertainment industry is unpredictable. Today you may receive four calls offering you work. One day may come when you have to make four calls asking for work. So stay humble. Never become arrogant. Success and failure are both temporary. They are simply part of the journey.”
