Exclusive: My Journey Flowed From Theater To Stand-up To YouTube, Says Karan Sonawane

Popular content creator Karan Sonawane aka focusedIndian who is all set to make his debut in Bollywood, has exclusively connected with whosthat360. In this conversation, he has talked about his content creation journey, love for acting & much more. Talking about the excitement for his debut, he said, "I always wanted to act in films, but digital content creation wasn't part of the plan. My journey flowed from theater to stand-up to YouTube because I was too shy for auditions and insecure about being judged on my looks. Creating my own content allowed me to stay in control..."

Excerpts...

Can you share your journey from theater and stand-up comedy to becoming a prominent content creator in the digital entertainment industry?

After dropping out of hotel management in 2013, I spent three years in Marathi theater. When YouTube and web series became popular in 2015, I balanced theater and standup comedy, but frequent travel to Mumbai became too costly.

I then shifted to YouTube, but without financial returns, I joined a regional channel to create memes, which became popular. During the 2020 lockdown, I started making content with my dad, which took off. After TikTok was banned, I moved to Reels, where the algorithm helped boost my content.

My experiences in theater, YouTube, and meme-making all contributed to my accidental but successful journey as a content creator, and I'm loving it.

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What inspired your transition from theater and stand-up comedy to internet content creation in 2015?

There wasn't any specific inspiration for my transition. I just wanted to do something because every door seemed to be closing. My family was pressuring me about money, and theater and stand-up weren't paying the bills. Internet content creation wasn't helping financially either, but I thought it could be a great journey, so I decided to stick with it.

I was working jobs to get by and didn't know where my career would lead, but I kept learning—editing, framing videos, writing. I decided to go with the flow, hoping that eventually, a path would open up for me.

How did you become a member of the esteemed Orange Juice Gang, and what has your experience been like collaborating with other influential content creators?

The Oranges Gang wasn't planned; it was created by the people for the people. We were individual creators until one of Saurav's videos went viral, and people started calling us the Oranges Gang. We embraced the name because people loved it, and so did we.

Collaborating with other influential content creators is fantastic, but I only collaborate when I have a great idea that fits the creator perfectly. I don't do it just because I have more followers. When a creator wants to collaborate and has a good idea, I'm happy to join in.

I have many pending ideas because I'm waiting for the right scripts and collaborators. I don't rush into collaborations; when the right one comes, it will be amazing.

What motivated you to pursue acting in films, and how does it compare to creating digital content?

I always wanted to act in films, but digital content creation wasn't part of the plan. My journey flowed from theater to stand-up to YouTube because I was too shy for auditions and insecure about being judged on my looks. Creating my own content allowed me to stay in control.

Acting in films was my priority, but now I love digital content creation so much that I consider myself a YouTuber first. Films have always fascinated me and have greatly influenced my reels, writing, and directing. I still watch many films to learn and apply those lessons to my content. Films are an integral part of my life.

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Could you tell us about your experience working on the Bollywood thriller drama "Blackout"? What drew you to this project?

The experience of working in Blackout was great, I mean, unexpected first of all, but great. Nothing drew me to this project. It was my first audition and it worked out and I think everything was planned out well. I'm proud of this film for sure. I don't feel bad. Nothing like that. I'm very proud of this film because this film has turned out great. I was not expecting the product to be this great, the output to be this great, but it was great for me as my first film. 
I'm very proud of it and I hope that people also feel proud looking at their focused Indian acting from 9x16 to 16x9. 

Working with Vikram Massey on my first film was a great learning experience. I observed him prepping for his role and performing scenes, even when I wasn't involved. I enjoyed watching the entire filming process and learning from his execution.

I don't consider myself an actor yet; I believe that tag should come from others, not myself. My skills are still developing, but learning from Vikram was invaluable, much like how I learned from watching films in my childhood. It was an amazing process.

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Can you share any insights into your upcoming projects or ventures in the entertainment industry?

So, my upcoming project right now is Blackout, which is coming out on the 7th on Geo Cinema Premium OTT platform. And there is another movie which is already announced, which is Ek Donti, it's a Marathi film. 
It's a Marathi drama film, a very nice comedy, fun, chill, family film. It is coming on the 19th of July in theatres. So these are my two projects. I am also doing one more film. I have done two more web series, which are yet to come out. I have done one more nice, small role, but a big banner film, so that will come out soon as well. So can't reveal much, but very excited about it. I think, as I said, that I'm just going with the flow. I'm loving it, but YouTube will be my first. 

As a content creator, what message or theme do you strive to convey through your work, whether it's comedy sketches, vlogs, or acting roles?

I don't have any particular message I want to give to my work. I just, I just want to entertain people. I just want to make them happy. I just want to show my art. That's my whole theme home there is no message as such key to my sacro Tonko as you know, you know, PR milega Yeah, as your audience play, I suppose you've been here. I'm here, just do my work. I can't you know, kyuki Allah Gulag Loki a level of audience or TMI Jack Kirby Goonies, aka like a lot of us always say that our AR Ye is CO Q et now usable high school student engagement and media. I feel that everyone has an audience, you can't judge anyone. You just have to accept it that okay, if he's making someone laugh, and not you, then he is someone you know, you can't judge him. So, I'm just here for my art, I just want to perform. I just want to make people happy. I just want to create something and I just want to make my parents proud.

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How do you approach the creative process when crafting entertaining and relatable content for your audience?

My creative process is kind of different. As a content creator, I create different processes. But my creative process is very, very particular. In short, I can tell you that many books are in school, and colleges are cheating, but this is the only field where I've been very honest with my work, and with my people, where I have to live with the best of the people. 
I can't take my audiences lightly because they expect something great from me, and I have to deliver to them. I have to give my 100%, maybe 1,000%, and I do that. I never take my art lightly or my audience lightly. 
So that is how I approach my creative process. And, you know, reliability or entertainment is up to me. If I like it personally, then the people will love it. If I don't like it, then people won't love it. 
I never force myself to create content. I have to love my content. Then I can make people happy. 

What advice would you give to aspiring content creators & actors who are looking to break into the digital entertainment or film industry?

I would just say to aspiring content creators who are trying to become big in the content creator industry or the film industry, you just have to work on your art. You just have to do what you want to do. 
There is no replacement for hard work and if there is any replacement, please let me know so that I can also start doing it. So that's my advice.