‘The Elephants in My Backyard’ is a great book for any artist searching for purpose

The book, "Life of Pi," changed Rajiv Surendra's life.

He's an actor, born and raised in Toronto. And he first read "Life of Pi" years ago, while working on the set of "Mean Girls." You might remember him as Kevin G.

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He found he had a lot in common with Pi. Like the protagonist, he was Tamil, lived near a zoo and was fascinated with religion. “It was a beautiful, written story, and I felt like it was a story that had been written about my life,” he says. “The following week I found out that they were taking that book and turning it into a movie.”

Surendra lost it with excitement. “Up until that point, the only part I could try out for as a young Indian actor in Toronto were for terrorists or math nerds. So, I never thought I’d be able to try out for a starring role in a major Hollywood movie. ”

So, he went all in, preparing for the part. He dropped out of college and flew to the school portrayed in the novel. What he didn't know is that journey to be Pi would end with a huge disappointment.

He chronicles that trip in his new book, "The Elephants in My Backyard: A Memoir."

It’s not a spoiler to give away the ending. Surendra didn’t get the part. That’s because it isn’t the real ending of the book. Simply put, the journey is worth it even if it is difficult or the destination is devastating. The book offers lovely lessons on life.

As for the movie, it did get made. And the role of Pi went to a schoolboy.

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“You know, when I was doing research in India for the part, I hung out with these 16-year-old India kids. And I thought to myself a few times, ‘They could just come here and hire one of these kids to play the part and, ironically, that’s what ended up happening.”