We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Raja Deka. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Raja below.
Raja , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
When I was young, my parents told me, “There’s only one of you in this world” and it never left me. Whether I’m the only one in the room that looks like me or not I have a specific purpose, something sacred within I bring to any table. I believe everyone does. I’m successful and effective because I’m constantly bringing a unique value every time by being my true self.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Born in New Orleans and brought up in Sugar Land, Texas, my roots are from Assam, India. I never excelled in school and went to college with no major. Ended up choreographing dances for talent shows at Baylor University and left with a Computer Science degree (not my choice) just to graduate. I manifested a job at NASA ~ USA Flight Operations. During that time I found and fell in love with theater and acting. Shortly after I got recruited by the CIA. With gratitude I traveled around the world and through tragedy I went after my dream of becoming an actor and made it happen.
Started Touch A Life Productions and with my co-founder & angel Sabrina Percario, we currently have our movie HAPPY, inspired by my life events, being made to remind others globally of their own worth and purpose. We are proud to say our stories are already changing lives. Bringing our productions to the screen, our goal at Touch A Life is to eventually fund/set up free health clinics for regions globally who are in most need.
As an actor, I just filmed for a new movie HALLOWEEN FEAST in March that got into two big International film festivals. And I’m up for a new TV series and Spy Comedy filming this year as well.
Was presented to create and headline my own sitcom recently. By the powers that be I’m creating it with an accomplished actor and writer who I happened to go to elementary school with in Texas, and recently found out he’s been living down my street in Studio City, CA for the past ten years.
Believing, Timing, and Trust is everything.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Believing in my path and specific purpose.
2. Being open to the light that exists in everyone.
3. Holding my community high ~ Always takes a tribe to thrive.
Anyone early in your journey, remind yourself regularly “There is only one of you in this world” and that you have such a specific purpose, so tap into it, trailblaze your path, and LEAD. Too many are following and chasing today.
Everyone is going through something, and there is something special in everyone if we are patient and listen. Remember this when meeting and connecting with anyone.
Create a group of friends and community as we need each other in a lonely world at times. Sometimes just stopping by or calling to say, “was just thinking about you” can go further and mean more than you know. Through the roller coaster of life we need others to share it with, otherwise we’re missing the point. We’re all connected and are unstoppable together.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
At Touch A Life we are always looking for partners to join our team regardless of which industry/walk of life they hail from. We have been attracting partners who also believe in making an impact globally for far after our time through our films’ stories.
The successes and accolades will come and go, but the longterm relationships, the tribe, the collective are all invaluable.
Our stories are already changing lives and once they hit the screen, they will remind others everywhere of their own purpose, worth, and stay with them. When I saw movies as a child, some of those characters and stories are still in my heart because I related, rooted for them, felt a sense of belonging through that human feeling of connection. These deep feelings of connection, believing, being loved, we need now more than ever and I’m beyond grateful we are bringing these experiences back through our films.
If you feel like connecting please send us a message on www.touchalifeproductions.com (contact section). We can set up a call or a video chat. Sometimes we end up connecting with others for reasons we cannot see. Reasons that are bigger than us.
Blessings to all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.touchalifeproductions.com
- Instagram: @rajadeka108
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raja.deka.9
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajadeka/
- Other: IMDB ~ Have a look at some recent work if you like (front clip on page). Thank you for taking the time. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2791165/
Image Credits
Peter Konerko
