Souvik Ghosh: Surprisingly Even I Chased the Algorithm When I Started Instagram [Filmmaker, Photographer, 106k Followers, India]

Souvik Ghosh Interview

“Beautiful visuals can attract viewers, but honesty is what makes them trust your work.”

Through cinematic storytelling and meticulous research, Souvik Ghosh brings India's forgotten places, traditions, and untold histories to life, proving that the most powerful stories are often hidden in plain sight. 

Q. Could you introduce yourself to our audience?

I'm Souvik Ghosh, a photographer, filmmaker and a content creator based in Kolkata. I completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking and VFX from Techno India University. I started creating videos on YouTube when I was around 16, and over the years, that passion gradually evolved into photography and filmmaking.

Today, I create cinematic documentaries, travel content that explore India’s culture, traditions, history, and hidden places. My goal has always been simple, to tell the lesser known stories that make people slow down, appreciate what’s around them, and connect with places beyond just their visual beauty.

Q. You began creating content as a teenager on YouTube before finding your voice in filmmaking. Looking back, what were the defining moments that shaped the storyteller you are today?

When I started on YouTube, I was just experimenting and learning everything on my own. At that age, it was mostly about creating videos with two of my friends because I enjoyed the process. I learned editing through YouTube tutorials. The biggest turning point came when I realised that I enjoyed telling stories much more than simply making content. Studying filmmaking gave me the technical foundation, but travelling and exploring my city, meeting new people taught me something much more valuable, every place has stories that often go unnoticed. Those real conversations, local traditions, and human experiences shaped the kind of filmmaker I wanted to become.

Q. Your contents often highlight forgotten places, age-old traditions, and everyday cultural practices. What makes a story stand out to you, and how do you approach researching it before filming?

I believe every city has countless stories hidden in plain sight, forgotten places, age-old traditions, and cultural practices that many people, especially Gen Z, are no longer aware of. One of the main reasons I started creating content on Instagram was to bring these stories back into the spotlight and create something that’s different from what everyone else is making.

When a story catches my attention, I don’t immediately start filming. I spend literally days researching its history through books, articles, archival references, and credible online sources. Whenever possible, I also speak with local people, historians, or those who have lived with that tradition for years because the most authentic stories come from the people who have experienced them firsthand.

One of the biggest challenges is that all of this has to fit into a one-minute reel. The real skill isn’t just researching the story, it’s identifying the most important details and presenting them in a way that’s engaging, easy to understand, and still authentic. I want someone scrolling through Instagram to not only enjoy the visuals but also walk away having learned something new in just sixty seconds.

Q. Cultural storytelling comes with the responsibility of representing people and traditions accurately. How do you balance cinematic creativity with authenticity?

Authenticity always comes first. Beautiful visuals can attract viewers but honesty is what makes them trust your work. I never want cinematic shots or dramatic edits to distort the reality of a culture or tradition. Instead, I use filmmaking techniques to enhance the emotion of a story while keeping the facts and representation genuine. If people from that community watch my film and feel represented respectfully, I know I have done my job.

Q. In an era where trends change overnight, you've built a niche around timeless stories. What advice would you give to creators who want to build a lasting identity instead of chasing algorithms?

Surprisingly even I chased the algorithm when I started Instagram, thanks to my self realisation that made me stop it and focus on quality content rather than views and trends. Algorithms will keep changing, but your identity shouldn’t. It’s okay to learn how platforms work, but don’t let them define what you create. Focus on subjects that genuinely excite you because consistency becomes much easier when you enjoy the process. Audiences may follow you because of one viral video, but they’ll stay because they know what you stand for. Build trust first, numbers usually follow.

Q. You've collaborated with hospitality brands while staying true to your documentary-style approach. How do you ensure branded content feels genuine and still aligns with your storytelling philosophy?

I only collaborate with brands that naturally fit the stories I want to tell. Instead of treating a hotel or destination as just a product, I try to place it within a larger narrative, whether it’s the surrounding culture, history, landscape, or the experiences it offers. That way, the brand becomes part of the story instead of feeling like an interruption. I believe audiences appreciate honesty, and brands benefit more when the recommendation feels authentic rather than overly promotional.

Q. What's your favourite book, movie, or TV show, and why has it had a lasting impact on you?

I'm a huge admirer of Satyajit Ray. It's difficult for me to pick just one favourite film because I genuinely believe all of his work is timeless. As an Oscar-winning filmmaker and writer, he had an incredible ability to tell deeply human stories with simplicity, honesty, and emotion.

What inspires me the most is how his films prove that you don't need spectacle to create something unforgettable. His attention to detail, his understanding of people and culture, and the way he captured everyday life continue to influence filmmakers across generations. As someone who enjoys telling stories about culture, history, and people, I find his work incredibly inspiring, and I think every Indian filmmaker has something valuable to learn from his legacy.

Bio:

Souvik is a Kolkata-based filmmaker and content creator who documents India's culture through cinematic storytelling. A BFA graduate in Digital Filmmaking & VFX from Techno India University, he began creating videos on YouTube at 16 before transitioning into filmmaking. Today, he creates short-form films focused on travel, heritage, devotional traditions, hospitality, and the hidden stories of Bengal and India, blending visual storytelling with cultural preservation.

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Interviewed by: Abhisek Rath