Shalini Chandrasekar Interview
“People think food content is glamorous, but behind every reel there’s exhaustion, discipline, and sometimes even health risks nobody talks about.”
At just 20, Shalini Chandrasekar is a Bengaluru-based food creator and BBA student who explores hidden eateries while building an authentic voice in the digital space. In this interview, she reveals the demanding reality behind aesthetic food content—from marathon shoots and costly productions to serious health risks and why passion and consistency matter far more than fancy equipment.
Q. Your content feels very aesthetic yet relatable - how do you balance creating beautiful visuals while still keeping things authentic?
Honestly, creating aesthetic content is far more demanding than people usually imagine. A single shoot can easily involve around 140 to 150 shots, and even for one particular food item, we often capture 10 to 15 different angles just to ensure we get the perfect frame. Out of those multiple shots, only a few finally make it into the content, and perhaps one or two truly stand out. So behind every polished reel people see online, there are hours of effort, patience, experimentation, and constant attention to detail happening in the background.
Most of our shoots last anywhere between six to seven hours continuously, and during that process, things often become chaotic behind the scenes. Stories get delayed, plans go off track, and exhaustion becomes very real. But at the same time, I always try to retain authenticity within that visual perfection. I don’t want content to feel overly manufactured. I want people to experience the place, the food, and the emotions genuinely through my perspective while still enjoying visually beautiful storytelling.
When I initially started creating content, I honestly wasn’t thinking too deeply about it. I was simply posting because I genuinely enjoyed doing it, without fully understanding where it could eventually lead. But the real turning point came when brands and restaurants slowly started approaching me for promotions and collaborations. That’s when I realised this was no longer just a casual hobby or something “small.” I began understanding the amount of responsibility, professionalism, and consistency this field actually requires. It made me realise that content creation has real value and real impact, and that it could genuinely evolve into something meaningful and serious over time.
That phase completely changed the way I approached my work.
There are actually two experiences that deeply changed my perspective in different ways.
The first was from a professional standpoint during my initial days as a creator. A restaurant in JP Nagar had approached me for a collaboration, and despite being extremely careful with my deliverables, a small miscommunication occurred. I ended up reposting the content after correcting something and had already informed the restaurant owner about it.
Unfortunately, the situation escalated, and I was spoken to very harshly. That experience completely changed my understanding of content creation. Until then, I had viewed this profession as something peaceful and creatively fulfilling, but that moment made me realise how much pressure, accountability, and professionalism actually exist behind the scenes. From that point onward, I became significantly more cautious and organised in the way I handled my work. I eventually began working with a manager and started treating every collaboration with even greater structure and clarity.
The second experience changed my perspective towards food itself. I once visited a very small and relatively unknown restaurant during a shoot, and honestly, we didn’t expect much from it initially. But the food turned out to be extraordinary. That moment made me realise that popularity and luxury don’t always define quality. Some large, well-known restaurants may disappoint you, while small hidden places often serve the most unforgettable food experiences. Since then, I’ve become even more passionate about discovering underrated food spots while still prioritising hygiene and quality above everything else.
There are honestly so many struggles people rarely see behind travel and food content.
The first is the sheer physical exhaustion. A typical shooting day for me can easily stretch from morning till late at night - sometimes 10 to 11 hours continuously outside. By the time I return home, I’m completely drained. Then comes the financial aspect. Content creation, especially in the travel and food niche, is extremely expensive. There have been times when I’ve spent close to ₹10,000 during a single restaurant outing while shooting with multiple people. Safety is another major concern, especially as a woman creator. There are moments when I travel alone for shoots, and unfortunately, uncomfortable situations and inappropriate behaviour are realities many women creators silently deal with.
But one of the biggest challenges people never talk about enough is health. As a food creator, constantly eating outside food can seriously affect your body. I’m actually someone who follows a disciplined lifestyle and trains extensively in martial arts, so maintaining my health is extremely important to me. There have been instances where I suffered severe food poisoning after shoots and even ended up hospitalized for almost a week because of infections caused by unhygienic food. One experience became so serious that I was nearly admitted to the ICU.
That phase genuinely changed the way I approached food content. Since then, I’ve become exceptionally careful about hygiene, ingredients, and food quality because people often underestimate the risks creators in this niche silently go through.
I would honestly tell them - just start.
Most creators begin with extremely limited resources, and I was no different. When I started, I had almost nothing apart from an Android phone and barely ₹200 in my pocket. I didn’t own a tripod, lighting equipment, or any professional setup. But when you genuinely want to create something, you naturally find ways to make it work. I think many people delay starting because they believe they need expensive equipment, perfect aesthetics, or ideal conditions before beginning. But the truth is, clarity and growth come only after you start creating consistently. You learn along the way. You improve over time. And eventually, you understand what works best for you.
So my biggest advice would be: don’t wait to feel “ready.” Start with whatever you have right now because passion and consistency matter far more than expensive gear.
A large part of my personality online is real, but there are definitely sides of me people don’t fully see on Instagram. For example, despite being a food creator, I’m actually an extremely health-conscious person in real life. I genuinely prefer home-cooked meals over junk food, and I’m very selective about what I eat. I pay close attention to hygiene, ingredients, and even things like the quality of oil used in food.
In fact, during shoots, if I personally don’t like a dish or feel uncomfortable about its quality, I simply won’t eat it. Another thing people may not realise is that I’m actually a very private and introverted person offline. On Instagram, I may appear highly extroverted and socially expressive, but in reality, I keep my circle extremely small and prefer maintaining privacy in my personal life. So while the emotions, passion, and values people see online are very genuine, there are definitely quieter and more reserved parts of my personality that remain away from social media.
Five years from now, I want people to remember Shalini Explores as more than just a food page.
I want people to see me as someone who successfully balanced both ambition and passion — someone who became an IAS officer while also continuing to build a meaningful identity as a Gen Z food creator. That is something I’m working extremely hard towards, and I’m manifesting it wholeheartedly. At the same time, my ultimate goal through content has always been to spread happiness and help people discover experiences they may have otherwise overlooked. My team and I always try to ensure that every person who appears in our videos genuinely has a memorable experience with us. More importantly, I want people to discover hidden gems through my content - those underrated places, flavors, and experiences that deserve recognition. I love the idea of helping someone find their favorite place through one of my videos and creating moments of joy through exploration.
If people eventually remember Shalini Explores as a page that spreads positivity, meaningful experiences, and authentic discoveries, I would consider that my biggest success.
Interviewed By: Gunjan Joshi
Most of our shoots last anywhere between six to seven hours continuously, and during that process, things often become chaotic behind the scenes. Stories get delayed, plans go off track, and exhaustion becomes very real. But at the same time, I always try to retain authenticity within that visual perfection. I don’t want content to feel overly manufactured. I want people to experience the place, the food, and the emotions genuinely through my perspective while still enjoying visually beautiful storytelling.
Q. What was the turning point where you realized content creation could become something serious and not just a hobby?
When I initially started creating content, I honestly wasn’t thinking too deeply about it. I was simply posting because I genuinely enjoyed doing it, without fully understanding where it could eventually lead. But the real turning point came when brands and restaurants slowly started approaching me for promotions and collaborations. That’s when I realised this was no longer just a casual hobby or something “small.” I began understanding the amount of responsibility, professionalism, and consistency this field actually requires. It made me realise that content creation has real value and real impact, and that it could genuinely evolve into something meaningful and serious over time.
That phase completely changed the way I approached my work.
Q. Among all the places or experiences you’ve explored, which one changed your perspective the most personally?
There are actually two experiences that deeply changed my perspective in different ways.
The first was from a professional standpoint during my initial days as a creator. A restaurant in JP Nagar had approached me for a collaboration, and despite being extremely careful with my deliverables, a small miscommunication occurred. I ended up reposting the content after correcting something and had already informed the restaurant owner about it.
Unfortunately, the situation escalated, and I was spoken to very harshly. That experience completely changed my understanding of content creation. Until then, I had viewed this profession as something peaceful and creatively fulfilling, but that moment made me realise how much pressure, accountability, and professionalism actually exist behind the scenes. From that point onward, I became significantly more cautious and organised in the way I handled my work. I eventually began working with a manager and started treating every collaboration with even greater structure and clarity.
The second experience changed my perspective towards food itself. I once visited a very small and relatively unknown restaurant during a shoot, and honestly, we didn’t expect much from it initially. But the food turned out to be extraordinary. That moment made me realise that popularity and luxury don’t always define quality. Some large, well-known restaurants may disappoint you, while small hidden places often serve the most unforgettable food experiences. Since then, I’ve become even more passionate about discovering underrated food spots while still prioritising hygiene and quality above everything else.
Q. A lot of creators show only the polished side of travel and lifestyle content. What’s one behind-the-scenes struggle people don’t usually see?
There are honestly so many struggles people rarely see behind travel and food content.
The first is the sheer physical exhaustion. A typical shooting day for me can easily stretch from morning till late at night - sometimes 10 to 11 hours continuously outside. By the time I return home, I’m completely drained. Then comes the financial aspect. Content creation, especially in the travel and food niche, is extremely expensive. There have been times when I’ve spent close to ₹10,000 during a single restaurant outing while shooting with multiple people. Safety is another major concern, especially as a woman creator. There are moments when I travel alone for shoots, and unfortunately, uncomfortable situations and inappropriate behaviour are realities many women creators silently deal with.
But one of the biggest challenges people never talk about enough is health. As a food creator, constantly eating outside food can seriously affect your body. I’m actually someone who follows a disciplined lifestyle and trains extensively in martial arts, so maintaining my health is extremely important to me. There have been instances where I suffered severe food poisoning after shoots and even ended up hospitalized for almost a week because of infections caused by unhygienic food. One experience became so serious that I was nearly admitted to the ICU.
That phase genuinely changed the way I approached food content. Since then, I’ve become exceptionally careful about hygiene, ingredients, and food quality because people often underestimate the risks creators in this niche silently go through.
Q. If someone wanted to start exploring or creating content today with limited budget and no fancy equipment, what would you genuinely advise them?
I would honestly tell them - just start.
Most creators begin with extremely limited resources, and I was no different. When I started, I had almost nothing apart from an Android phone and barely ₹200 in my pocket. I didn’t own a tripod, lighting equipment, or any professional setup. But when you genuinely want to create something, you naturally find ways to make it work. I think many people delay starting because they believe they need expensive equipment, perfect aesthetics, or ideal conditions before beginning. But the truth is, clarity and growth come only after you start creating consistently. You learn along the way. You improve over time. And eventually, you understand what works best for you.
So my biggest advice would be: don’t wait to feel “ready.” Start with whatever you have right now because passion and consistency matter far more than expensive gear.
Q. How much of your real personality is reflected online, and how much is a curated version for Instagram?
A large part of my personality online is real, but there are definitely sides of me people don’t fully see on Instagram. For example, despite being a food creator, I’m actually an extremely health-conscious person in real life. I genuinely prefer home-cooked meals over junk food, and I’m very selective about what I eat. I pay close attention to hygiene, ingredients, and even things like the quality of oil used in food.
In fact, during shoots, if I personally don’t like a dish or feel uncomfortable about its quality, I simply won’t eat it. Another thing people may not realise is that I’m actually a very private and introverted person offline. On Instagram, I may appear highly extroverted and socially expressive, but in reality, I keep my circle extremely small and prefer maintaining privacy in my personal life. So while the emotions, passion, and values people see online are very genuine, there are definitely quieter and more reserved parts of my personality that remain away from social media.
Q. What kind of legacy or impact do you want people to remember when they think of ‘Shalini Explores’ five years from now?
Five years from now, I want people to remember Shalini Explores as more than just a food page.
I want people to see me as someone who successfully balanced both ambition and passion — someone who became an IAS officer while also continuing to build a meaningful identity as a Gen Z food creator. That is something I’m working extremely hard towards, and I’m manifesting it wholeheartedly. At the same time, my ultimate goal through content has always been to spread happiness and help people discover experiences they may have otherwise overlooked. My team and I always try to ensure that every person who appears in our videos genuinely has a memorable experience with us. More importantly, I want people to discover hidden gems through my content - those underrated places, flavors, and experiences that deserve recognition. I love the idea of helping someone find their favorite place through one of my videos and creating moments of joy through exploration.
If people eventually remember Shalini Explores as a page that spreads positivity, meaningful experiences, and authentic discoveries, I would consider that my biggest success.
Bio:
Hi, I’m Shalini Chandrasekar, a 20-year-old content creator, food blogger, and BBA student based in Bangalore. I create food content by exploring restaurants recommended by local people and sharing those experiences on social media to help others discover great places and cuisines. Along with my journey in content creation, I’m also preparing for civil services.
Interviewed By: Gunjan Joshi
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