"From Baner’s lanes to the big screen, Aaryak Pathak is turning real-life chaos into rhythm. His upcoming Marathi track PILLUDI marks the next beat in his journey."
Q. You've seen success with Marathi comedy and relatable skits. What was the moment you decided content creation was more than a hobby and could be your path?
Honestly, I never “decided” that content creation would become my career. It just happened. During my college days, I was always the funny guy, cracking jokes even in serious situations. I didn’t have much interest in studies, but I loved entertaining people.
Then came the lockdown, and like everyone, I was stuck at home. I started watching a lot of content and thought, “Let’s try this once.”
I posted one reel, then another, then another and slowly, it became part of my routine. There wasn’t a single “aha” moment; it was gradual. When followers started increasing and money began coming in, I realized this could actually be something.
I’d say I didn’t choose this career, it chose me. By degree, I’m a mechanical engineer, but I never felt connected to that field. I was always drawn toward films, web series, and the creative industry. I used to read a lot, observe people, and gather insights about how entertainment works. And now, I live and breathe it 24/7.
Q. “Sheth Lokk” and your Pune-based humour stand out. How do you balance making characters that are funny, authentic, and rooted in local culture without alienating broader audiences?
I’ve lived in Pune for over 23 years in Baner and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas and I’ve grown up surrounded by the kind of people I now portray. I know their tone, their style, their body language, their attitude. I simply observe them and bring that to the screen. When I first uploaded a “Sheth Lokk” video, I had just 24,000 followers.
The response was massive, so I kept creating more: part one, part two, until it became a full series of 24 videos. That character blew up. For six months, it was trending everywhere. Even small creators started imitating it.
People didn’t know my real name; they only knew me as “Sheth Lokk.”That’s when Lokmat Media recognized me as one of the “Upcoming Stars of Social Media 2024.” I never label my content as pure comedy. It’s “relatable content.”
Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes exaggerated, sometimes subtle, but always real. And yes, after doing the same character for almost three years, I’ve started exploring new roles and stories. As a creator, you need to evolve before your audience gets bored or before you do.
Q. Feedback (positive or critical) often changes creators. How has audience feedback shaped your style since you began?
I began in 2021, and from day one, I’ve rarely asked anyone for feedback. My process is simple: if I feel strongly about a video, I post it. Within 20 minutes, you know if it’s viral or not. The audience is brutally honest now. If the content connects, it spreads. If it doesn’t, you instantly know something’s missing.
That’s my feedback loop me and my audience. Of course, trolls exist. Some people create fake accounts just to post hate comments, but I’ve learned to ignore them. For every two haters, there are ninety-eight people showing love. I’m constantly learning on my own, watching podcasts, reading news, and observing big directors and actors. I’d rather evolve through observation and curiosity than by chasing validation.
Q. You have played so many characters. What’s your process for bringing a new one to life, and which one is hardest to leave behind off-camera?
“Sheth Lokk” is the hardest to shake off. I’ve lived that character for almost three years. It changed the way I talk, walk, even behave. At one point, my parents and girlfriend told me, “Please leave that character outside the house.” That’s when I realized I’d merged too deeply into him. Now that I’ve taken a break from it, I feel lighter. I’m focusing on new projects a music video, a film and that helps me detach.
As for creating new characters, I don’t have a fancy process. It usually starts with an idea that hits me out of nowhere. I share it with my close friends, we brainstorm, script, and shoot all within a day or two. No big cameras, no heavy production. Just an iPhone and a clear idea. The goal is to keep the content fresh, improve a little every day, and stay updated with what’s happening around us.
Q. Everyone talks about AI and tools changing content creation. What excites you and what worries you about the future of comedy content and tech in your space?
To be honest, I’m not a fan of AI. I’ve never used it. My friends do, but I don’t feel the need. AI has made things convenient, but it’s also killing authenticity.
I once met Ritesh Deshmukh and posted a real photo with him people commented saying it was AI-generated. That’s frustrating. It’s worse when people misuse AI for fake or inappropriate visuals. Some use it to create deepfakes or manipulate photos. That’s not creativity that’s deception.
Comedy is a human art. Timing, tone, delivery no machine can replicate that. AI can maybe help with editing or management, but it can’t create emotions. And the moment you surrender your originality to technology, you lose the essence of being an artist. So no, I’m not excited by AI trends. I’d rather create something new on my own than follow what’s “cool” online.
Q. What’s one thing you want your fans and upcoming creators to take away from your journey?
The truth is, not everyone is meant to be a creator. Today everyone wants followers, fame, and brand deals but nobody sees the failure rate. For every one creator who makes it, ten burn out.
People buy iPhones, gather a few friends, shoot a random reel, and call themselves creators. That’s not how it works. If you’re truly talented, if you can write, act, direct, or edit, then go for it. Otherwise, don’t add to the noise.
Also, don’t fall for the number game. Followers come and go. Today you gain ten, tomorrow five unfollow. What matters is consistency and value.
And to my audience, I’m deeply grateful. They’re smart, they know who’s putting in the effort. Every time I work hard on a reel and it connects, it’s because of their support. I just want to keep entertaining them and make them proud of being early supporters of my journey.
Bio
Aaryak Pathak, known online as @aaryak2.0, is a Pune-based content creator, actor, and performer who has redefined Marathi comedy for the digital generation.
A mechanical engineer by degree but a born entertainer at heart, Aaryak started creating content in 2021 without any blueprint or plan and today commands a following of over 3.5 lakh on Instagram and 2.2 lakh on YouTube.
His hyper-local characters, especially the viral “Sheth Lokk” series, capture the quirks of Pune’s landlords, uncles, and everyday people with a comic twist that feels both authentic and cinematic.
Having already worked with top Marathi film industry names, he now sets his sights on the Hindi entertainment space. His upcoming song, “PILLUDI” a Marathi hip-hop number written and sung by him and directed by Dhiraj Bhalerao (former assistant to Ganesh Acharya) marks a big step toward blending Marathi storytelling with Bollywood flair.
Instagram: Aaryak Pathak
Interviewed by Monika Bhardwaj
Instagram: Aaryak Pathak
Interviewed by Monika Bhardwaj
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