Mahesh Keshwala aka Thugesh is indeed one of the most charismatic and bold social media influencers and content creators in India. He has taken the digital space by storm with his witty humor and unique perspective on life’s quirks. From carefully edited videos that get viewers’ blood pumping to authentic vlogs that make viewers feel like old friends, his content resonates with a rapidly growing fan base across platforms.
Capturing the attention of a diverse and loyal audience, he seamlessly blends comedy with criticism, and his videos are the perfect blend of entertainment and insight. Whether he’s following the latest internet trends or sharing snippets of his daily life, his charming personality always shines through. Tugash has graced his career by hosting his own talk show, a dream he envisioned long ago. In an exciting chat with News18 Showsha, Thugesh spoke about his journey as a content creator and more.
Here is an excerpt:
First of all, what is the story behind naming your channel Thugesh? How did you build the word into a brand that represents you and your content?
Back in 2016 I was making a thug life video so I wanted to mix Mahesh and thug, hence the name Thugesh.
Creating content for YouTube is a difficult task, and it’s even more challenging when one ventures into the world of comedy and commentary. With this in mind, what exactly led to the beginning of your YouTube journey? Were you initially inspired by someone? What pitfalls did you encounter in the beginning?
The main inspiration comes from Bhuvan Bam and Ashish Chanchlani. I really feel confident that I can do it even in front of the camera! So, I went ahead and started making meme videos which were very new at the time! Then started making face cam videos, the public didn’t like it at first, but eventually they started liking the demo! The main pitfall is making facecam videos without a high-quality camera phone or microphone! 2- Demonetization of the initial channel These two issues were the main issues I faced!
Can you share a bit about your creative journey and the evolution of your content from when you started to now? How are your audiences adapting to this shift?
I started by making videos on top 10 places to visit and stuff like that, then moved on to making thug life videos, then moved on to meme videos, then baking videos, then comedy sketches, and then I recently completed the first season of my talk show “Thugesh Show” .
It takes time for people to adapt, but it should be remembered that the transition should always be smooth and not sudden, for example you can’t transition everything in one day! You should start making changes slowly and see if people are interested and want more!
Your videos often contain humor and sarcasm. Where does your sense of humor come from? Is it a dominant part of your personality even in your personal, day-to-day life? How do you define your humor?
I think it’s part of my personality! I also try to watch as much comedy content as possible to get in the mood for stand-up comedy! Fun anime, fun movies and shows, it’s become a part of my personality now, especially when I feel comfortable with someone!
How do you walk the line between comedy and making sure the content is respectful and inclusive? Even when you’re laughing at someone or something, how do you determine what’s allowed and what’s below the belt?
I do have something I shouldn’t say! I don’t abuse! I am not targeting any religion! Don’t shame anyone! And try to make it fun, even if the person being roasted watches the video, he will laugh and show it to his family! My sense of humor is family friendly. I believe in content that entertains the whole family and all ages and always strives to appeal to the masses!
You are considered one of the top bakers in the country. Baking itself is not an easy genre to deal with, especially when people in this country are sensitive or unaware of this comedy genre. Despite this, your baked products are still thriving and loved by many. What do you think are the unique qualities of your bakery products that set you apart from your contemporaries? Do you ever get nervous before making a baking video?
I think my non-cruelty baking is what sets me apart from everyone else! I try to keep a balance between not being lame and being too insulting and that’s what attracts most people, yes people are very sensitive these days and some people are just waiting for you to make a mistake and take you down! So be careful!
The pre-2020 roast was about what you should write about, the current roast is about what you shouldn’t write about
As a follow-up, how do you handle criticism or negative feedback, and what advice do you have for aspiring content creators dealing with these issues?
I guess I’ve been in space long enough that hate won’t get to me! I think I’ve seen it all! So I just put my phone aside, stop reading the comments, and start watching the next video or content I’m working on! That’s my advice to young creators! Don’t focus on it! If you become addicted to it and start replying to everyone and every creator, the hate will disappear within a few days and you will continue to be attracted more and more!
Over the course of your content creation journey, you’ve been able to create a dedicated fan base for yourself that appears on social media sites like Reddit. Can you talk about your interactions with your audience and how their feedback impacts your content?
I guess I’m lucky to have such a caring fan base! People who have supported me all these years! They treat me like one of their family members! If I’m not well, they’ll hear it immediately in my tone! Even they know when I’m faking energy! So, I love them very much and I owe my success to them! People run fan pages with nothing in return! It really melts my heart! I think you can only build an audience like this if you see them as real people and not just some numbers or opinions! Always treat them as real people watching your videos and taking the time to watch them! Fanservice too! They will love you.
In the world of online content creation, how do you balance entertainment with conveying meaningful information or commentary?
I try not to force any narrative onto the audience’s head! And try to specifically include some or other message in the satire in a very subtle way so that it doesn’t seem cringeworthy or out of place to the funny creator!
A few years ago, you had an online feud with Urfi Javed. Can you share from your perspective what exactly happened and how things escalated to this point?
I had a reaction to Urfie’s costume! She didn’t like this and posted many stories and abuse in my DMs! But I think it’s okay! Everyone reacts to my videos differently and I really don’t have any hatred for her!
How do you relax when the whole content creation thing is too overwhelming for you, especially when you have a strong presence on both YouTube and Instagram?
I guess I haven’t given myself time to overwhelm myself yet haha because I just keep working every day! Haven’t enjoyed that much success yet. I believe it is important to work hard even at this stage, otherwise people will leave you soon!
How and when did you come up with the idea for Thugesh Show? How do you plan your guests? How was your overall experience hosting this show for an audience? What lessons did you learn while making it?
I think I came up with an idea during lockdown! I love Jimmy Fallon’s show. I wanted to do something similar but relevant to my audience so I added a few things like meme comments and roasts and that has always been the foundation of my channel! The overall experience of hosting this show has been very enjoyable. I can’t remember the name of any unprofessional guest on set! Everyone from bhuvan to Carry was so humble and it felt good when they were genuinely trying to make the episode better rather than just showing up on the set! What I learned the most is that every guest is different, some may be serious, some may be fun, and some may not be able to handle a barbecue! But it’s up to you as the owner to handle them and make them comfortable!
In recent years, many content creators have become a part of reality shows like Bigg Boss. If there is such an opportunity in the future, would you be willing to participate? What are your thoughts on Munawar Faruqui’s work in Bigg Boss 17 studio? Do you think he’s the winner this season?
I don’t know I may go or I may not go depending on my situation with bcz 2-3 months is a long time to not release anything I need the producers to tell me at least 6 months before the show That way I can make content accordingly hahaha
Beyond your videos, how do you plan to enhance your content in the future and what else should people expect from you in this context?
I think 2024 will see more difficult videos on my main channel. Balancing all 4 channels is very difficult! But I think more quality content is coming, yes.
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