Satshya Tharien Interview
“From newsroom deadlines to viral Reels, Satshya has transformed storytelling online, making culture, language, and food both relatable and entertaining.”
Q. How did your journey move from journalism to content creation?
At the heart of both journalism and content creation is storytelling, which I’ve always loved. I worked as a journalist for five years, but when my comedy Reels started gaining traction in 2020, I realised this was a rare opportunity to explore a new field.Since going full-time in 2022, I’ve expanded my work to include Chumma Conversations, interviewing creators about their craft and business, as well as long-form beauty and lifestyle content on YouTube. My content has evolved from language-focused edutainment to cultural insights from my time in Singapore, and now to parenting comedy. Staying relevant means constantly changing, and I’m excited to explore what’s next.
Q. Social media moves fast, journalism values accuracy. How did you balance precision with entertainment?
That’s a great question. When I started short-form content, I had to fit an interesting hook, a language lesson, and a comedy punchline into 15 seconds. That took dozens of retakes for some videos. Surprisingly, it’s easier to make a three-minute video than a 15-second one! That period sharpened my writing, delivery, and editing skills.The key is real-life situations: for example, explaining how “chor” can mean both thief in Hindi and rice in Malayalam. People think they’re watching a comedy skit, but they also learn something along the way. Edutainment works when it’s subtle and relatable, not heavy-handed.
Q. Your content breaks language insecurity. Why do Indians feel judged, and how do you handle that pressure?
Language is tied to identity. Growing up in the 90s, Western norms were idealised, and vernacular languages were often looked down upon. Many of us are still unlearning these attitudes. I get comments about my South Indian accent, but that’s just how I speak. I also add captions for clarity.Showing your authentic self helps build a community that relates to you. Content isn’t created in a vacuum; it’s for the audience. Embracing your roots builds trust and connection.
Q. When planning content, what comes first: info, joke, or story?
It starts with information, an “aha” moment for me. Then I figure out the punchline and shape the story around it. Many ideas sit in my “To Make” list until I find the right fit. Some videos I filmed two years ago, trashed, and revisited later, went viral after a fresh approach.The lesson: trust your gut. Don’t post content you’re not convinced about; your audience will notice. Park ideas, refine them, and post only when it feels right.
Q. Why do food and everyday habits work so well in storytelling?
Early social media was dominated by Western content, entertaining but not always relatable. Now, representation matters. For people living away from home, content about regional food, language, or culture provides a connection.People enjoy learning something new if it makes them smile along the way. Food and everyday life are universal entry points; they're relatable, shareable, and allow educational content to reach audiences who wouldn’t normally seek it.
Bio
Satshya Anna Tharien is a former journalist, 2x TEDx speaker, and full-time content creator with a following of 1.4M+ across Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms. Originally from Mangalore and now based in Delhi, she creates comedy and lifestyle content that highlights regional languages, culture, food, and beauty.
She hosts the podcast Chumma Conversations, interviewing Indian creators on their craft and business. Satshya has received the 2020 WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Award and was featured on SheThePeople’s 100 Digital Stars 2024.
Instagram: Satshya
Interviewed by Monika Bhardwaj
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