Exclusive: How Hardik Arora Turned His Passion for Content Creation Into a Full-Time Career

They say what's meant for you always finds its way back. That's exactly what happened with Hardik Arora. Inspired by Bhuvan Bam in 2015, Hardik began making videos at a young age, only to be discouraged at a time when content creation was still considered taboo. Years later, with the rise of reels in 2020 and a renewed sense of freedom, he found his way back to doing what he had always wanted. We caught up with the funny guy to talk about his journey, his content, and everything in between. Read on to know more about Hardik.  

How did this whole journey start for you? Was there a moment when you thought, “Okay, I'm actually doing this?”

This journey started for me when I was twelve. I was watching Bhuvan Bam in 2015, and I thought I should also do something like this. And then I created a few videos, which my dad saw, and he was like, 'No, you can't do this.' At that time, there was a taboo attached to it, and I was like, 'Okay.' And then reels came in 2020, and then I was an adult, and I had free will, so I started again. And now, while shooting a video, when we are using cameras and mics and lights, it just hits me, 'Oh yeah, this is what I am doing for a living now.'

If you could start all over again, what's the one thing you would do differently?

If I had started sooner,  there is nothing that I would do differently. I'll just start sooner. That's it. I'll try to convince my parents, just please let me do it. And I guess they'll agree to it.

When you look back at your journey so far, how would you describe it in one word, and why?

If I had to describe my journey in a single word, it would be evolution. I'd say because it describes the growth, the journey, how I used to be a small-town guy who followed his passion and evolved every single day, and now I am doing content creation for a living. So it has been an evolution for me.

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A post shared by Hardik Arora (@hahahahardikkk)

Was there a phase when growth was slow, or things felt stuck? What kept you going during that time?

Yes, there were a lot of times when growth was slow, and things felt stuck. It still does! Every other day, I feel this way. But then I just remind myself that I am doing it with love. I am not doing it for love. I love making videos. I love putting myself in front of the camera and playing characters and everything. I am doing it for that. I am not expecting anything. Growth and everything else is just a by-product of all the quality content that I will be posting. So I do it for that.

With so many creators emerging every day, do you view it as pressure or motivation? How do you stay original in such a crowded space?

It's neither pressure nor a motivation for me to see so many creators popping up every day. I just feel happy that finally people are taking content creation seriously. They are recognising it. And to stay original in this crowded place, I say I just be myself. I am the way I am in front of my friends. I just be the same so that no one can cancel me, saying that I am different in person and different on social media. That's what I do.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Has gaining more followers changed the way you create content, or do you still approach videos the same way you did at the start?

Yes, of course, gaining more followers changed the way I create content. Earlier, I used to make videos with my phone. Now I have a whole team. I use camera equipment. I use good quality because now I think that I have a major audience that is watching me, and I need to give them quality content. I need to be worthy of the time they spend watching me. And the least that I owe them is good content. So I try to write better jokes. I try to do good camera work and everything. So I try to put out my best work out there.

If you could talk to your younger self before posting your first video, what would you tell him?

If I could talk to my younger self before posting my first video, I would just say post it. Don't think too much. Don't seek validation from your friends. Don't think that they will make fun of you. Just do it.

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A post shared by Hardik Arora (@hahahahardikkk)

What's one misconception people have about being a comedy creator?

The misconception people have about a comedy creator is that they are joking every time. I don't know about other creators, but at least about me. So I am not taken seriously at times, which also works in my favour. I can just say random things and get out of them very easily because I was not saying it seriously.

Which creator(s) do you always watch and never miss their videos?

The creator I always watch is Bhuvan Bam. That's it. I can never skip his videos, and that's the kind of legacy I want to create, ki meri videos bhi aaye toh aisa hi ek shauk ho logo ko dekhne ka.

Your message to the aspiring creators who are scared to take that first step?

To anyone who is scared to take the first step, I just say sit and think why you are doing it, and you will get your answer.