Tanmay Sawant: I Wanted My Audience to See Themselves Reflected in Me (Art & Creativity, 170K Followers)

Tanmay Sawant Interview 

Tanmay Sawant

Music keeps you alive, movies sustain your inner life, and poetry proves that you are living


Q. You describe yourself as a storyteller who creates and directs art for fun. How did your journey into storytelling and content creation begin?

My journey into content creation began as a YouTuber, where I streamed games and spent hours just talking to people. That’s where I truly discovered my voice as a creator. Alongside this, I’ve been writing since 2015. Over time, I felt a natural pull to merge my writing with content creation, and that’s how my transition into storytelling happened organically.


Q. Your content beautifully blends music, movies, and poetry. What draws you to these mediums, and how do they influence your storytelling style? 

For me, music is what keeps you alive, movies sustain the inner life, and poetry is the proof that you are living. If any of these elements are missing, my day feels incomplete. Everything I write is profoundly inspired by the music I listen to, the movies I watch, and the poetry I read.


Q. With nearly a thousand posts and a strong creative presence, how has your artistic voice evolved since you first started sharing online? 

Initially, my goal was simply to reach people and share my mistakes so they wouldn’t repeat them. My vision was clear- I wanted my audience to see themselves reflected in me. Every line I speak or write is meant to inspire the listener or reader. The content I’ve shared has always been deeply personal, documenting the transformations I’ve gone through in my own life.


Q. Many of your stories feel deeply emotional and relatable. Where do you usually draw inspiration from-personal experiences, observation, or imagination? 

I categorize my content into two needs: what I need to hear myself and what I need to tell others. Sometimes I offer advice that I wish I had received, and other times I share my beliefs because I know someone out there needs to hear them. We all go through phases where we desperately need the right encouragement, that’s often when people find 'iTanmay.


Q. Before becoming known as a storyteller online, what was Tanmay like as a person? Were you always inclined towards art and expression? 

Before being known as a storyteller, I was primarily known as an artist. I've been sketching since 8th grade and have sold my sketches and paintings internationally. To be honest, I still prefer being called an artist over a storyteller.


Q. As someone creating art primarily “for fun, ” how do you balance creative freedom with audience expectations and collaborations? 

I live by the motto: “If you’re not having fun while doing it, you should start doing something else.” I’ve never followed online trends. I post only when I genuinely want to talk about something. I believe in creating trends rather than chasing them—and my audience expects and values that authenticity from me.


Q. Has any real-life moment or phase in your life deeply shaped the way you write or create today? 

Yes, a major turning point was losing my father in 2020-the same year I started streaming on YouTube. After his passing, we realized we barely had any videos of him. He was an introvert who rarely clicked pictures, while my mother loved capturing moments. That experience made me realize how unpredictable life is and how photos and videos become our digital footprints. That realization pushed me to start creating and documenting more consistently.


Q. Being consistent in a creative space isn’t easy. Have you faced creative blocks, self-doubt, or burnout, and how do you work through them?

I experience creative blocks and burnout quite often-it’s an inherent part of being a creative person. Your life is rarely stable; you’re constantly in a loop of waking up, creating something meaningful, and repeating the process. But if you truly love creating, you don’t get bored, even when you’re burning out.


Q. After building a community of over 150K followers, what’s the next chapter for you-are there new formats, projects, or creative directions you’re excited to explore?

I’m launching my book Unse Kehna (Conversations That Never Left My Head) this month. It’s a collection of unsaid thoughts-poetry, short stories, letters, and quotes-designed to help readers navigate their toughest days. It’s especially for anyone going through a breakup, learning to move on, or falling in love, and I truly believe it has the power to transform people.


Q. What advice would you give to aspiring storytellers and creators who want to share their Art authentically but fear judgment or invisibility?

The internet is saturated with people doing the same thing. I see many creators stealing content and simply recreating it for quick success, but that won't sustain you. My advice is to create what you love. Tell your story. A story that feels personal, a story from your heart, so it can reach another heart. Life is beautiful; our job is simply to articulate that beauty and explain why.


Bio:

Tanmay Sawant is a Mumbai-based storyteller and creative force whose work spans music, movies, and poetry, earning him recognition as one of India’s standout art and creativity influencers. Through sharp visual direction and emotionally resonant storytelling, Tanmay turns everyday ideas into compelling artistic expressions that connect deeply with a growing digital audience. With 160K+ followers and a portfolio driven purely by passion, experimentation, and self-directed art, he creates and directs content for the joy of expressionblending culture, cinema, and poetry into scroll-stopping narratives. Known for his authenticity and creative instinct, Tanmay continues to shape a distinct voice in India’s creator ecosystem.

 

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Interviewed by: Gunjan Joshi


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