Satish Ray speaks at length about his social media influencing journey, which inspired him to leave his job in Mumbai and what interests him as a writer.
How did you begin your journey into writing, acting and now a content creator?
Well, to start with, I was a topper in my school. All my life, I was inclined towards studies, was good at sports. I was also academically very sharp and eventually made it to the state level as a topper. No one ever thought that I would divulge into something so humorous. As the years passed, I started developing a keen interest in literature, art, acting and started acting in plays. I was a huge fan of the TVF series. I would love watching that in college. Slowly I started curating content in college, make 3-4 channels, which didn’t work out, but that didn’t deter me from what I wanted to achieve in life. I worked hard, very hard and then got a break in TVF. I made a character named Immandar with my Abhishek, and then things became viral, and then Instagram (success) followed. We have witnessed a lot of social media trolls. How do you tackle negative comments on your videos?
I have learned the art of taking things with a pinch of salt. I now believe that anything you post, people are going to perceive it in a certain manner. I healthily take negative and positive criticism. My aim is that everyone who is following me or watching my videos smile at the end. In these tough times, it is difficult to make people smile and laugh. Those 30-60 seconds of happiness is the biggest reward for me as a social media creator.
What kind of humour do you like to watch?
Funny jokes, low hanging ones that everyone can understand, all age groups can relate to. What I like are encrypted jokes that need to be deciphered, the satire ones. I watch TVF videos, and I like to watch Key & Peele, Zakir Khan and many others.
There are many influencers and stand up comedians. Do you feel there is a lot of pressure on social media to churn out content every day?
No, I don’t have that mindset that every day I need to put up a video, my content is very different from others. When I feel something is important, viral or trending, I curate a video on the topic.
What are your future plans?
I have been getting acting offers. I am also writing a web show, YouTube content. There are several other online mediums, for instance, OTT, that I would like to get into. I want to entertain my fans and followers.
For those unaware of Satish Ray’s commendable work online, here are some of the rib-tickling videos that will lighten up your weekend!
What is your academic background, and did you always wish to do this
I am a BTech from Faridabad and worked as a quantity analyst. Then I left my job and came to Mumbai to pursue my dream of becoming a content curator, actor.
Your videos are funny, and you have garnered a huge fan base; how supportive is your family?
Family ka support nai the Abhi bhi nai hai (My family didn’t support me; they still don’t understand the comedy genre and the work I am into). My elder brother did support me. However, finically I didn’t get support. My family is old school and conservative, and they feel that I am educated. Why am I doing this when I can settle for a good job. They are not much aware of the social media culture. I am sure once I get into films or web shows, they will accept my profession.
What are the things that you keep in mind while making a funny script so that it doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments?
We often think unfiltered, we have our viewpoints, but we don’t want to influence anyone else. Therefore we ensure that we put the point across sarcastically or subtly. Yes, many times, we cut off lines and dialogues so that it doesn’t hurt anybody.
We have witnessed a lot of social media trolls. How do you tackle negative comments on your videos?
I have learned the art of taking things with a pinch of salt. I now believe that anything you post, people are going to perceive it in a certain manner. I healthily take negative and positive criticism. My aim is that everyone who is following me or watching my videos smile at the end. In these tough times, it is difficult to make people smile and laugh. Those 30-60 seconds of happiness is the biggest reward for me as a social media creator.
Out of all the characters you have donned, which one do you relate to the most and why?
All the parts I like. There is a percentage of me in every role I portray. Naturally, when I put something. Over these years, people have seen my characters, And every character has its own way, be it Alpa Pandey, Babban bola, Immandar Sharma. However, Immandar Sharma, I am mostly with friends, and that is one character I closely relate to.
You make us laugh with your funny videos. There is another side to you — soul-stirring poems. Tell us about this side of yours?
When I was in school, I was inclined towards poetry and literature, and the literature that I studied was sad. Gradually, I started liking and used to pen down these thoughts and emotions and slowly imbibed them.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to play cricket, watch expert opinions on cricket matches, watch films, web shows, and read a lot.
What kind of humour do you like to watch?
Funny jokes, low hanging ones that everyone can understand, all age groups can relate to. What I like are encrypted jokes that need to be deciphered, the satire ones. I watch TVF videos, and I like to watch Key & Peele, Zakir Khan and many others.
There are many influencers and stand up comedians. Do you feel there is a lot of pressure on social media to churn out content every day?
No, I don’t have that mindset that every day I need to put up a video, my content is very different from others. When I feel something is important, viral or trending, I curate a video on the topic.
What are your future plans?
I have been getting acting offers. I am also writing a web show, YouTube content. There are several other online mediums, for instance, OTT, that I would like to get into. I want to entertain my fans and followers. For those unaware of Satish Ray’s commendable work online, here are some of the rib-tickling videos that will lighten up your weekend!
-By Ruchita Mishra