Exclusive! Broken Phone, No Degree, 900k Followers: Meet Dhiraj Takri, the Viral English Hacks Master

The internet has fallen head over heels for Dhiraj Takri, a 21-year-old influencer from Odisha who's teaching English from his backyard. Armed with a smartphone, an infectious smile, and a passion for language, Dhiraj has gone viral for his practical, fun, and sometimes hilarious English hacks and tutorials. We spoke exclusively to Dhiraj Takri to learn more about him.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm 21 years old, and currently residing in Odisha. I completed my 10th grade in 2016, but unfortunately, I was unable to complete my 12th grade in 2019 because I didn't pass. That was the end of my formal education. Despite not having a formal education, I have been studying English for almost five years and working on my accent for the past three years.

What do you think about content creation opening doors for creators all over India?

Absolutely! With everyone having access to mobiles and the internet, creating content has become something that anyone can do from anywhere in India. It's incredible how the doors are open for all kinds of creators!

What inspired you to create content?

I started creating content because I learned English from various YouTube teachers, both native and non-native. I noticed that those who teach the language are often better than those who just learn it. As I have also been working on developing an American accent, I wanted to share my learning journey, not only to improve myself but also to help others with their language skills.

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A post shared by Dhiraj Takri (@dhirajtakri)

What was your thought process behind making fun, helpful, and engaging videos?

The motivation behind creating fun, helpful, and engaging videos was to stand out in this competitive social media space. Recognizing the competition in every niche, I wanted to do something unique and 'out of the box.' What I teach is rare, and I wanted it to be different even within that rare category.

What is your social media goal for 2024?

Initially, my goal for 2024 on social media was to reach 100K followers on Instagram or 100K subscribers on YouTube within six months. Surprisingly, my followers have already exceeded expectations, currently at 900K, and soon to be 1 million, just at the beginning of 2024. Now, my aim for the year is to achieve the milestone of 2 million followers, and that would be fantastic!

What was the biggest challenge you faced while making content?

The biggest challenge I faced while making content was not having a good phone. My camera quality was poor, and my phone was broken. I could only record average-quality videos when it was sunny. Due to limited space at home, I also had to wait for the right time to shoot my videos outdoors. This was an obstacle, which is why most of my videos are shot outside during sunny days.

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A post shared by Dhiraj Takri (@dhirajtakri)

How did you develop a teaching style that incorporates an abroad accent despite not having been abroad?

Even though I have never been abroad, the internet allows us to access content from around the world. Most of the videos I watch on YouTube are in English, especially from native speakers. I've developed my accent using a powerful technique called 'imitation.' I listen to native speakers and try to repeat what they say. I also record my voice on my phone to compare it with that of native English speakers. Over time, my accent got better, and now I've been able to teach that accent based on what I've been learning for the last few years.

What is your message to aspiring creators from Odisha and anyone who wants to make videos?

To aspiring creators from Odisha and anyone who wants to make videos, content creation is a wonderful journey, but it requires patience. While some people go viral quickly, for most, it takes time for videos to gain attention. In my case, after four months and over 60 videos, I had around 160 followers. However, within one month, I gained over 900k followers. If you provide value, stay consistent, and let your personality shine, your channel will grow. Experiment with different things. I started in English, then incorporated Hindi, and adjusted the video length based on audience preferences. Keep testing to find what works best for your niche. Good luck!

No more excuses! Dhiraj Takri proves anyone can master English (Seriously, anyone!)