From Timber Trade To Cricket Glory: Rajat Patidar’s Journey

When Rajat Patidar chose cricket over joining his family’s thriving timber and pipe business in Indore, it was a leap into uncertainty. Years later, that gamble has paid off spectacularly, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter producing a breathtaking unbeaten 93 to guide his side into the IPL final.

In a crucial clash against Gujarat Titans, Rajat played a captain’s knock, smashing 93 not out off just 33 balls with five fours and nine sixes, powering RCB into the final in Ahmedabad.

Watching proudly from Bhopal, where he was travelling for work, Rajat’s father Manohar said the family had no regrets about the missed century. “Winning the match was more important than his century,” he said.

Manohar, a businessman himself, had always encouraged his son to follow his passion despite the security of the family enterprise. Unlike many cricketers shaped by financial struggle, Rajat came from a secure background, making his decision to pursue professional cricket a bold personal choice. The family will skip the IPL final as Rajat’s wife Gunjan recently gave birth to a baby boy. “We have not named the child yet. Will have his naming ceremony soon,” said his father Manohar. The final comes just a day before Rajat’s 33rd birthday. “It will be icing on the cake if our team wins,” his father added.

“Why blame the poor girl? She is only performing the choreography designed for the film. I was fortunate to work in films where I could dance without compromising my artistry. In Amrapali, the entire narrative revolved around dance. Waheedaji had Guide, Meena Kumari’s Kathak in Pakeezah and Rekha’s mujras in Umrao Jaan remain benchmarks. But honestly, how many such films were made even then?”

— Vyjayanthimala, Veteran actor

“Look at today’s cinema. Where is the scope for classical dance? The only filmmaker consistently nurturing that heritage is Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In Devdas, he brought in the legendary Birju Maharaj to choreograph Madhuri Dixit. Even Heeramandi featured stunning dance sequences.”

— Asha Parekh, Veteran actress