Shreyas Mendiratta - I Create Content Not for Sustaining Myself Financially, but to Keep Exploring My Creativity

I want to provide good quality entertainment to people, while at the same time exploring new horizons when it comes to creativity. Using the media-platforms to spread awareness on topics that need to be brought up into day-to-day lives is one of the many ways that I want to put my brains into. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

As it is rightly said, Family is the first School for child. My case, on the other hand, was a little different. I have been born and brought up in Delhi. My Family has been great on the academic front, and they pushed me to the academic side too, but it was the world of creativity and exploration that lured me in. 

My parents and two elder sisters are not that great when it comes to Social interaction. I always wondered, “How do we make Friends?” It was not until Class 3 that I found the secret to become an approachable figure – Sense of Humour and Wisdom. 

I stumbled upon a bunch of “Champak” Comics during the Summer Vacation, which had a whole section in it dedicated to Jokes for Kids. I read those and couldn’t stop laughing. I made a separate Notebook where I’d use to write them down. When school reopened, I shared those Jokes with the whole class. 

As I had expected, everyone laughed. I made this into a regular habit, and soon enough, I had developed the ‘Class Clown’ persona; always making others laugh. Come 6th Standard, I started to perform on the stage in School, and soon fell in love with Theatre. 

In 9th Standard, I took up Guitar Classes, and to my astonishment, I developed the ability to sing as well, which led to my discovery of the other love of my life – Music. Soon, I became a regular student in the Music Room, on the School Stage and School Auditorium.

In 11th Standard, I took up Science Stream (Medical), because that seemed to be the most appropriate stream. Around the same time, I started my own YouTube Channel and Instagram Page too, where I used to record and post Music Videos regularly. 

I was also inducted into the School’s Theatre Society, which helped me explore the world of Theatre and Acting at Intra-School, Inter-School and National Level. I started experimenting with both Music and Comedy, while at the same time, rushing for my classes, reading course-books, completing files and assignments, etc. School really was a roller coaster ride for me.

Now being a Medical College Student, I am pursuing Theatre, Music and Content Creation side by side. In this Lockdown Period, my Instagram Account experienced a sharp increase in my followers, which has opened the door to a whole world of new opportunities for me.


2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?

Before 11th Standard, I was attending Guitar Classes regularly, hence staying in touch with Music throughout. After taking up Science, I had to drop my Guitar Classes because of academic pressure. But I couldn’t stay completely away from Music at the same time. Hence, I decided to start my YouTube Channel, and Instagram Page too; to stay regular with Music and to keep experimenting & innovating.

3. Is it financially sustainable to be a digital content creator today?

Being a Digital Content Creator, I would say that I create content not for sustaining myself financially, but to keep exploring my creativity. However, if one keeps coming out with good quality stuff, then one can achieve a lot of growth on Social Media platforms, and establish their selves as a Brand. After that happens, making a fortune out of this wouldn’t be a far-fetched idea.


4. What impact do you want to create with your videos?

Keeping the 3rd Standard Class Clown within me, I want to provide good quality entertainment to people, while at the same time exploring new horizons when it comes to creativity. And yes – using the platforms to spread awareness on topics that need to be brought up into day-to-day lives is one of the many ways that I want to put my brains into.


5. What is your idea of success or your mantra in life?

Usually, Success is associated with Achievement; whether it a skill, or a huge fan following, or anything other than that. Considering the highly fluid and dynamic nature of Life nowadays, anything that you achieve would not seem enough, so no one can ever be successful that way. My idea is to live the journey, to enjoy the path that I’m travelling on rather than yearn for the destination.


6. How can someone become a successful digital influencer/artist?

There is no limit as to how Success is defined, so it is highly subjective. For some, Success may be having a lot of Followers on Instagram. For others it maybe having a huge bank balance. 

For some third person it might be just living a happy life. But one thing is common – if someone wants to be a successful influencer and/or artist, they shouldn’t shy away from being their true selves publicly. To be Unique, you gotta be You first.


7. Which is your favourite book and why?

I am not much of a Bookworm, and I hardly read any books for leisure. But I’d love to read any book, by any author, of any genre; as long as I get to learn something new about life, or myself, from it.

- Shreyas Mendiratta 

Instagram @shreyasmendiratta

- Interviewed by - Nishad Kinhikar