It is the audience that keeps me motivated: Ashish Chanchlani

Ashish Chanchlani started his YouTube journey six years back and recently reached the milestone of 20 Million subscribers on his channel. His sheer online presence coupled with his entertaining personality makes him one of the most successful influencers of the country.

In an exclusive chat with BW Applause & Everything Experiential, YouTube Star Ashish shared how he handled the lockdown, his passion for acting and YouTube, his views on trolling and more.  

Edited Excerpts: 

How have the past few months of the lockdown been for you?

Honestly, I was really okay in the first month. I think it was going good because I started making content. I think lockdown is pretty bad for everyone but for me in the first one month as a YouTuber it was going good, I created 2 videos and then suddenly I happened to be in mental stress. This happened because of overthinking and not being able to go outside and work. 

So yes I was in a dark place for the last 2 months but I am just coming out of it now and overall it's been a mixed bag.

During these tough times, what keeps you motivated to keep creating content?

It is the audience that keeps me motivated. I have a habit of talking to my audience online. I post stories on my Instagram and I tell them honestly that this is what I am going through and I am not able to understand. So there are messages which are so sweet and they treat you like your friend.  

I know it sounds a bit genuine and over the top when YouTubers say that our audience is our family but we actually mean it because they are the ones who are constantly supporting us through their messages and advice. I can tell you so many instances where I have made videos- all thanks to audiences suggesting me something. So I think they help me a lot. After them, my family and friends are the people who help me in these tough times. 

You were into civil engineering and acting was just a passion. So how did this passion turn into a full time career?

Engineering is not just studying technical stuff but it is a crash course for your personality development. When you become an engineer it teaches you much more than just engineering. I had a great time in engineering but I always wanted to become an actor. That was my top dream. I was a little realistic and practical. Seeing how everybody lined up outside Bollywood doors and they were not able to make it. So I just gave up on my dream and went into engineering.

I remember I was in one of my lectures and I started crying because I thought that I was at the wrong place. I realised that I messed up big time and I was feeling suffocated. All 4 years of engineering I felt very suffocated until vine happened which was launched by Twitter. At that time a lot of American YouTubers used to make vines and inspired by them I thought I would also make some short videos in India. Here, there were very few people doing this.

When you first started how did your family respond to your career choice?

You will be super surprised to know that my family has always been supportive. They have been super proud of me. You know there is a thing that your child is the best. So from the start, I am the best for them. I think this also has to play a very important part in my life because my parents wholeheartedly supported me. 

After the 4th year in engineering, I almost gave up because I was not earning through these videos and it was quite a depressing time. I come from a rich family and I always accept that but I wanted to earn my own money and create my own identity. And when I thought I was not able to do so then I went into depression and the thought of living off on your parents' money is very haunting for some of us people. But my parents told me that you should continue.  

I remember I wanted to leave this career and go for a Bollywood approach and dad told me that one day this internet career of yours will take you there so don’t leave this space. So that is the kind of support my parents showed me. 

Tell us about the role that YouTube has played in your journey?

I think YouTube has played the most important part in my career. YouTube, Instagram and Facebook - I think these platforms have played a very important part in my life because they gave me a career and a platform to showcase my talent. People accepted me and loved me through them. I am so glad for this. I could earn from it and I think I never expected that. 

As a person I have learned a lot and can write a book on ‘if you become a celebrity from a common man- these are one thousand tips you should keep in mind.’  I am still a common man from my heart but because of these numbers I have to play along a celebrity life. It has been wonderful. My personality has changed and I have evolved and learned a lot.

How do you cope up with negative comments or trolling on social media? Do they affect you?

It was one of the reasons why I went into depression and yes it affects me sometimes. After almost 5 years of my career, I suddenly started giving them a lot of attention. Then I realised that on a white shirt we only notice the black spots. We don’t see that the whole shirt is white but we crib about the black spot. These comments are those black spots and the white shirt is people’s love that we sometimes ignore. The fact that so many people love us and still we care about the ones that are not loving you or accepting you is what pulls us out. 

Now I have started ignoring these. I sometimes wish that if someone is hating me I could have a talk with them so I could understand why they hate me because I am sure if they personally know me they might not agree with what I have to say but they will definitely not hate me. 

Many youngsters today are trying to become YouTubers, so what will you advise a newbie?

The one advice I always give to a new person is that don’t try to be Ashish Chanchlani or BB Ki Vines or Carry Minati. Build your own style and find your own personality. That is what will make you click. You need to understand that you will need a lot of patience. If one video goes viral you are not a star. You need to maintain your stardom and your success. I can only give you my example- I have faced 3 unsuccessful years to achieve what I have today so never quit and always think positively. Patience and uniqueness are the two things you need to have in your life if you want to do something on YouTube.

Rapid Fire Questions 

A reason why someone should subscribe to your channel?

Fresh and different content!

What is the Netflix series that you are binging on currently?

Chilling adventures of Sabrina Season 3

Who is your celebrity crush?

Since childhood, my celebrity crush has been Sonali Bendre. Now I have a huge crush on Deepika Padukone.

According to you, who are the top 3 Indian YouTubers?

Bhuvan, Carry and Harsh on the same level I love both of them; and third I would say Gaurav Taneja- I think he is doing amazing.

Next YouTuber you want to collaborate with?

I think the only YouTuber that I have always wanted to collaborate with was BB because I have a very strong connection with him. We are like brothers. But now I would love to collaborate with Carry and Harsh too because I have had many conversations with them in the last 3 months and we have become close now.

What would you rather do if you didn't do this?

I wanted to do something in nuclear, second I would have become a chef because I love cooking. And if not these things then for once I would definitely try and go on an audition for being an actor. 

An app you cannot live without, except youtube?

Instagram and my banking app.

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