Arjun Pandey: Creativity Dies When You Force It Into a Deadline (Short-form Storyteller, Microdramas, 1.2M Followers)

 

“From an ₹8,000 brand deal to running multiple viral channels, Arjun Pandey opens up about fear, sacrifice, creativity, and the stories that shaped him.”

Q. You didn’t start with fame or a big crew. What early moments shaped you as a creator, and when did you realise this could become your full-time path?

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. Content creation gave me a space where I could practice, polish, and understand the craft. But the turning point wasn’t creative; it was financial. My first brand deal was ₹8,000. At that time, I was earning ₹50,000 a month at my job. Walking away from a stable 50k salary for something that barely covered a week’s expenses felt ridiculous, even scary. Many months passed with zero income. The stress was real. I didn’t know how I’d manage rent, shoots, or basic life.

Somehow, that ₹8,000 stretched for months. I still don’t understand how. I borrowed money from friends who were struggling just like me. We all helped each other survive the phase where passion feels expensive, and the future feels blurry. But here's the thing: when you believe deeply in something, life gives you strange strength. 

You learn to live on ₹100 a day. You learn to survive while still pushing for that one idea that keeps you going. After quitting my job, I gave myself only one goal: to secure at least one brand deal each month and spend the rest of my time telling stories that make someone think, feel, or change their perspective. That first ₹8,000 wasn’t just money. It was courage packaged in a small amount. That’s when I knew this could become my full-time path.

Q. Your content moves between comedy and emotional storytelling. How do you choose which direction to take a video, and what tells you a story will genuinely connect?

I trust my first instinct. Every story triggers an immediate emotional response, whether it makes you smile or it makes you pause and think. That reaction tells me the tone. If someone falls and gets hurt, your instinct is to be concerned. But if someone slips on a banana peel, the situation still involves pain, yet it instantly feels like a comedy moment. That’s how I approach my stories.

While imagining a scene or writing a script, I check what it makes me feel first. If it hits me emotionally, I follow that path. If it sparks humour, I lean into that. The audience connects most when the story stays true to its natural emotion — the one I feel first. If it’s honest for me, it’s honest for them.

Q. Your videos often go viral within hours. What’s the single element you focus on to make a video hit, and how do you refine an idea before publishing?

For me, everything starts with the hook. Those first 3–5 seconds decide whether someone stays or scrolls. If the hook isn’t strong and clear, the video is already halfway lost. Once I know the hook is solid, I focus on making the video visually appealing, i.e clean framing, neat editing, strong sound design. I don’t believe in overproducing, but I do believe every story deserves a certain level of polish.

I’m also constantly working on improving every skill involved in filmmaking, like writing, direction, acting, editing, colour, audio, and fonts. Each element adds to how the final idea lands. The more I refine these skills, the better I can shape a raw idea into something memorable before hitting publish.

Q. You run multiple channels and formats at once. How do you keep your creativity sharp, and what habits protect you from creative burnout?

Burnout is real, and I face it more often than people assume. Most of it comes from the pressure to meet posting schedules. Social media demands speed, but creativity needs time, space, and patience. The two don’t always agree. Whenever I feel creatively stuck, I slow myself down. I disconnect, step away from the deadlines, and just observe life around me. The world gives you the best ideas when you’re not trying so hard to find them.

I’ve realised burnout happens when you force an idea into a timeline shorter than it needs. Every story requires space to breathe and grow. When we don’t give it that space, creativity feels blocked. So I protect my creativity by giving myself permission to pause, reflect, and let ideas mature naturally.

Q. Your work feels rooted in real people and real moments. How much of what you create comes from your own life, and how much is inspired by observing others around you?

A lot of people assume all my content is based on my personal life, but it’s not. Many stories come from simply observing human behaviour, small moments, or everyday situations that say something bigger about society or relationships.

When I see something interesting, I imagine myself inside the situation. How would I feel? What would I say? What would I want someone else to understand? Those imaginary reactions slowly evolve into a story.I've learned that storytelling doesn't always require personal experience; it just needs emotional honesty. You can create powerful narratives simply by paying attention to the world around you.

Bio

Arjun Pandey is one of India’s most engaging short-form storytellers. Based in Pune, he has built a massive digital presence through his signature microdramas, i.e videos that blend emotional depth, relatable humour, and strong social commentary. His stories tackle real-life struggles, relationships, family dynamics, and human behaviour, often going viral within hours across Instagram and YouTube.

What sets Arjun apart is his instinctive approach to storytelling. He draws inspiration from everyday moments, shaping them into narratives that spark reflection and conversation. Over the years, he has mastered writing, acting, direction, editing, and sound design, building a unique style that audiences instantly recognise.

From surviving on his first-ever ₹8,000 brand deal to running multiple channels today, Arjun’s journey reflects grit, honesty, and a deep love for the craft. With millions of loyal viewers tuning into his content, he continues to redefine the possibilities of short-form storytelling while also preparing to surprise his audience with an exciting new upcoming song, marking a new chapter in his creative evolution.

Instagram: Arjun Pandey

Interviewed by Monika Bhardwaj