Meet Raj Jawa

We recently connected with Raj Jawa and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Raj, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I think there are two angles to consider when it comes to finding purpose. If we’re talking about purpose in the sense of achieving something like a dream career, I’d say I found mine in the film industry when I experienced the unique energy of being on a set for the first time. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of camaraderie and collaboration—working alongside both familiar faces and new ones. It’s not some leisurely picnic; it’s intense and often chaotic, especially when you’re racing against the light to get that perfect shot. But there’s an electricity to it all, even in those frantic moments. When I think about a long-term, fulfilling career, nothing fits better for me than acting.

But there’s another way to think about purpose—one that’s more about what you contribute to the world. For me, this has been about supporting men who don’t fit into old-school ideas of masculinity and fostering stronger community among men. Unfortunately, I came to this realization through my own struggles. As much as I love my parents, they didn’t instill in me a solid sense of self-worth, and I didn’t exactly thrive in developing social skills or confidence during those vital K-12 years—the time when we’re arguably most forgiving with ourselves and our peers. For guys who grew up like me, it’s probably easy to get sucked into the wrong corners of the internet, where cynical influencers offer quick, misogynistic “solutions” without any real self-reflection. In a weird way, my tendency to be introspective and self-critical helped me avoid falling into that trap. I think part of my purpose now is to show that there’s another path for men—a better one.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

At my core, I’m an actor. Most of the work is about submitting for auditions, waiting for auditions, doing the auditions, and repeating that cycle until something sticks. It can get a bit monotonous and, honestly, pretty discouraging, so I like to mix things up by producing my own stuff—whether it’s comedy sketches or even live streaming video games, although that doesn’t quite hit the same creative high as a well-crafted skit that connects with people. For me, it’s really about finding any chance to be creative, whether that’s through the work itself or just making my Instagram Stories or other content as engaging as possible.

What I think sets me apart is my awareness and perspective on the mainstream and the status quo. Sure, we all have to “play the game,” but I’m always questioning who gets that this game is just a capitalist construct and who’s genuinely invested in keeping it going without irony. To put it plainly, I’m driven by two things: making acting a sustainable career for myself and spreading an anti-capitalist message to anyone who’s willing to hear it.

I’ve seen firsthand how broken the system can be. One major turning point for me was when my family’s home was foreclosed on in 2017. I remember the comfort and safety that house represented—having a place that felt like it couldn’t be taken away. And then, suddenly, it was all gone, and we were racing against the clock to pack up almost 30 years of life and memories. I know there are people out there suffering even more, with fewer resources to bounce back. A lot of that suffering comes from our acceptance of a system that really doesn’t serve us. We’ve gotten so used to not demanding more from our leaders or the structures that claim to support us. We’ve forgotten that these systems are supposed to serve all of us—the public, not just a select few.

The thing I hope for, even if it feels impossible, is to be part of the reason people start shifting away from this predatory, every-man-for-himself kind of capitalism. I want to see more people embracing connections with their family, their community, their neighbors. That shift could lead to more empathy, more support for public systems, and more seeing each other as fellow human beings. That’s the dream. I’m not overly optimistic that we’ll get to that kind of ideal world anytime soon, especially when the norm is doubling down on individualism and division, but who knows? Maybe I’ll be around to see, and maybe even help build, a more hopeful future.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’d say adaptability is probably the most impactful skill in my journey. No matter how prepared you are, there’s always something unexpected coming your way, and you’ve got to be ready to handle it. Like, you might get cast in a commercial after a dancing audition, but once you’re on set, instead of dancing, you’re asked to walk, hit a mark, pause, and look surprised. It’s not that it’s a super hard switch, but it’s definitely not what you signed up to do. Whether you’re acting or working in any part of the film industry, being adaptable—ready to pivot on a dime—is crucial.

An easy-going attitude is another big one. Now, some of this might just be in your nature, but I think managing your expectations can go a long way in helping with this. There’ll be days when you’re told you’ll wrap early—maybe even before lunch. Instead of locking that in and getting your hopes up, it’s better to see it as a pleasant surprise if it happens, not a guarantee. That doesn’t mean you should let your time be taken for granted—that’s a different story. But being able to roll with whatever comes and keep things chill makes the whole set feel more professional and less tense for everyone.

Lastly, I think having some experience in producing is invaluable, even for actors. It’s a kind of knowledge that feeds right back into both adaptability and keeping things easy-going. When actors take on the challenge of producing their own work, they get a firsthand look at the whole process—the joys, the headaches, all of it. And it gives you a deeper appreciation for every crew member’s role. Producers are the ones steering the ship, so diving into producing even once can teach you what it really takes to bring a project from an idea to a finished piece. Actors who’ve been through that process come to set with a deeper understanding and respect for what it takes to make a film, something that’s hard to grasp if you’ve never been on the other side of it.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always on the lookout for creative folks to collaborate with! The people I vibe with most are those who are multi-talented, ambitious, and know how to work well in a team. Having a background in business, I really value people who are not just creative but also understand the importance of knowing their audience and keeping things running smoothly on set. I’m also drawn to those who aren’t afraid to speak truth to power and bring that kind of passion into their work. The best collaborators usually have a couple of these qualities, but the ones who’ve got all of them—that’s the ideal. If any of this sounds like you and you’re interested in collaborating, shoot me an email—that’s always the best way to get in touch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jawa.la
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rajjawa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajjawa/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajjawa/
• Twitter: https://x.com/rajjawa
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/rajjawa