Kushal Mistry Interview
Q. During your college years in Computer Engineering, when did content creation stop being just a passion and start feeling like a real career path for you?
I realised in the 3rd semester of my Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering that I wasn’t made for software development, I’m a creative person. I had started an Instagram page in my first semester where I used to post memes, and eventually I began creating videos.
When I crossed 5,000 subscribers on YouTube, I refused to sit for college placements in IT companies. After graduation, I reached 10,000 subscribers on YouTube, and that’s when I truly felt that my path was different from everyone else, my passion had turned into my profession.
Q. In one of your earlier interviews, you mentioned that your Instagram began as an outlet for frustration. How did that phase of expressing yourself through sarcasm and memes shape your creative voice in the beginning?
I’m an introverted person, and I don’t have many friends to share things with. During my diploma engineering days, I had a close group of six friends I used to hang out with. But when I finished my diploma and shifted to degree college, I was back to having no friends. Around the same time, my relationship with a girl ended.
As a family, we were also going through a tough phase because my brother’s divorce had happened. With college pressure and all the emotional breakdowns, I couldn’t handle everything. That’s when I started my page, I turned my problems into humour and sarcasm. Through that journey, I discovered videos by Harsh Beniwal and Bhuvan Bam, and their content inspired me a lot in the beginning.
Q. Leaving the conventional and stable career route for full-time content creation wasn’t easy back then. What fears or doubts weighed on you during those early days, and how did you push through them?
Initially, I didn’t even know what my passion was. Every day I used to ask the universe about my purpose. But when I connected the dots, I realised I had been a creative person since the 1st standard. I used to paint really well and even helped other students with their painting homework. I participated in competitions and won prizes too. Later, in 10th standard, I performed in two comedy plays.
But during three years of diploma and three years of engineering, I did almost no creative work. In the middle of my engineering degree, I finally realised that creativity is my fuel, it’s what makes me happy and pushes me to work hard at what I truly love. I never had any doubt about making videos. My mind, body, and soul were fully connected whenever I planned my next idea.
My family supported me a lot. I have two elder brothers who took care of the household income, and for almost four to five years, I couldn’t contribute much. Later on, I started getting brand deals and other opportunities in content creation and acting, which helped me financially and allowed me to stand on my own feet.
Q. You’ve experimented with multiple formats; skits, parodies, observational comedy, and long-form vlogs. Which format challenged you the most to master, and why?
The first video I tried to make was a short video for Instagram. Back then, the limit was 60 seconds, but I couldn’t fit my idea into that, it ended up becoming almost 3 minutes and 15 seconds. So I uploaded it on YouTube instead. Creating longer videos was easier for us because we could improvise dialogues and stretch the scenes.
But when TikTok and Reels came, everything changed. Making videos shorter, crisper, and still telling a full story within such limited time was very tough. I still haven’t mastered it, I’m still learning every day. And about long form vlogs because of my introverted personality, doing vlogs becomes even harder for me I am still trying to make it consistently.
Q. Was there any major creative or technical failure early in your journey perhaps an idea that didn’t land the way you expected? What did that experience teach you about your creative process?
When we were about to reach 1 million subscribers, our YouTube channel got hacked. We tried everything, from contacting cyber cell to every other possible source but no one helped us. Only YouTube supported us, and eventually we recovered our channel. Many people unsubscribed during that phase because it took almost 15 days to get it back, and due to Covid, YouTube had a smaller team working.
During that time, we realised who the real ones in our circle were. But we stayed confident in our work. We knew that even if we had to start a new channel from 0 to 100, we would work hard again and build everything back with the same determination.
Q. You’ve spoken about wanting to write and direct in the future, especially within Gujarati cinema. What kind of stories excite you the most, and what fears or uncertainties do you have about stepping into filmmaking?
In the initial videos, I tried to stay behind the camera because I was very shy. I used to ask my friends to come and act, but when no one understood what I wanted, I realised I had to do it myself Eventually, I started featuring in my own videos.
As a writer right now I’m working on a story, which is a romantic thriller. As a director, I also recently shot our first YouTube series, which we produced ourselves. When it comes to uncertainties, my mindset is simple: even if no one gives me work, I will keep creating content on my own platforms, for my audience.
Q. The digital landscape keeps evolving rapidly. How do you ensure you stay relevant, and what strategies do you consciously follow to evolve as a creator?
I try to learn skills that I can rely on even if the digital world changes or disappears, or if it ever affects my journey as an artist, I have skills in video editing and graphic designing. I’m learning and attending workshops for acting and screenplay writing. So I thing I can survive by doing creative work.
As for strategies, I simply observe and adapt. And to create good content, you have to consume a lot of content, there are lots of good content creators and actors you need to study it, understand it, and absorb it.
Q. Can you recall any tough or critical feedback from your audience that impacted you either positively or negatively and changed your approach in any way?
There are people in the industry who think I make desi content and that my language is too 'villager.' But instead of changing who I am, I worked on improving the quality of my videos. I didn’t change my language, I only upgraded my attire, locations, and overall production. I still speak the same Mehsani language, even while shooting on the streets of Dubai.
And now, the same people who once called us desi influencers want to collaborate with us. They want to learn how we manage to create both mass and class content at the same time.
Q. If you could give one honest, unfiltered piece of advice to young creators who feel stuck between 'playing safe' and 'taking the leap,' what would you tell them today, based on everything you’ve experienced?
Never have a plan B if you are truly passionate about your work. Give it everything you have. Conviction is important trust your ideas and your own style. The way you speak, the way you behave, everything becomes your identity. In the universe, ideas are constantly floating around you just need to surrender yourself to receive one. Believe in yourself, stay authentic, and put the rest in God’s hands.
Bio:
Kushal Mistry is a digital creator known for his relatable humour, clean storytelling and consistent content across platforms. Starting his journey during engineering college, he has grown into a widely recognised voice in India’s creator community, building a loyal audience through sketches, vlogs and everyday observations.
Interviewed by: Nidhi
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