Exclusive: Raj Grover on How Content Creation Changed His Life and Why He's Chasing His Acting Dream Next

Honestly, I don't even remember what I was doing at 12 or 13, but Raj Grover was already chasing his dreams. Today, he's a known name on YouTube, someone who's literally grown up with the internet and turned his passion into a career. In this chat, Raj opens up about starting content creation as a kid, his Manchester City collaboration, Bollywood dreams, and what it really means to be a creator in India today. His honesty and drive are impossible not to admire. Read on for some raw, real, and refreshing answers. 

You started creating content at just 13, what made you pick up the camera at that age?

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I used to watch TikTok videos because that's what was famous at that time. I used to watch it and then suddenly there comes a video in which an influencer was getting praised and getting clicked with the audience, just as people do with Bollywood stars. So, I used to think, he's not a Bollywood actor. He's nothing, but people are treating him like a star. So, I searched more about it. That really motivated me to start creating videos. And after that, I am here trying to answer your questions.

Back in 2018, content creation wasn't really seen as a career, how did you find your space in it, and what kept you motivated then?

In 2018, I started making content when I was around 12 or 13 years old. So even then, I was quite young. I didn't really have to make any serious career choices. If I had been in 11th or 12th grade, then I would have had to decide whether to focus on content creation or leave it and study. But that choice came a little later in my life. Until I had around 30 to 40k followers on Instagram, my growth was steady. I was quite sure that my followers were increasing.

In 2018, when content creation wasn't seen as a proper career, I was very young. That's why no one at home said much to me. I was just doing something that involved creativity and skills. My parents were happy. They used to say, okay, at least he's not playing games or PUBG. At that time, PUBG was trending. I didn't play PUBG; I made videos instead. So, my parents were happy that I was doing something else and let me continue. I didn't have much pressure on me. And by the time I started getting a little famous, people had started to realize that there's money and fame in this field. So, I think that's my answer to this question.

You've been consistently posting for years; how do you stay motivated without burning out?

When I started, I was consistent on my own. I never felt burnout. For a couple of years, I worked with everything I had. I didn't leave anything behind. But a year or two ago, there were a lot of burnout phases when I didn't feel like working at all. Every creator has a team, and I have the best team because my team is my mom and dad. They know how to handle me and make things better for me. Whenever I have a burnout phase, they help me and motivate me. And there is no bigger motivation than a mom when she brings a mom's slipper! Just kidding.

But yeah, when Mom says, "Madhav, it's not going to work like this. You have chosen this career, so you have to do it. You are keeping your studies secondary, you have left everything, so how can you just say I'm having burnout, I will not make content?" It's not like that. So, she motivates me, and then I just come back. I don't take it like a burden. Maybe this is positivity from my side, that instead of taking Mom's words like a burden, I just try to listen to her and continue to work. Because I know that if I listen to Mom now, I will be happy later that I listened to Mom and was able to be consistent. I didn't leave a very long gap. So that's it.

What's one trend from the early content days you wish could make a comeback?

I think the fight between two platforms was a very trending topic. If you remember, TikTok versus YouTube. I really loved that trend. It was interesting for me; I didn't have any problem with any platform at that time. I wasn't even famous. That trend was very interesting to see. People were creating content from both sides, and then CarryMinati's final video came out.

But I would say that if such a trend comes again, if there's a fight between two apps, I should participate because I'm a part of the YouTube community now. I would love to represent YouTube. That was something impactful. I really wish I could have taken part in it and created something related to that. But it's okay. That's one trend I think should definitely make a comeback.

How do you balance creating what you love versus what performs best on the algorithm?

I think this problem comes mostly with those people who have only fed their audience with what they don't love. There are some creators who hop on trends a lot. What happens is they get an initial reach because the platform promotes them a lot based on trends. But then when they actually create what they love, the audience doesn't watch that because the audience is not used to what you have given.

So, I think there is only one way to maintain this thing. From the beginning, from the time you have started, you make what you love. Make a little bit of what is easy to fit in the algorithm so that followers also come and people also get used to seeing what you love. I think this thing happens from the beginning. You can't fix it later. I have seen some creators who tried a lot to change their content later but couldn't. Because the audience will want to see what you have fed them from the beginning, no matter how much you try. But yeah, if you work hard, everything will happen.

You were the only Indian creator invited to Manchester City's Trophy Tour, what was that experience like for you?

Whenever someone asks me, "What is the best thing you like in your journey till now?", I always mention that I was the only one who was invited for Manchester City's trophy tour. Manchester City is the club which I adore, which I love. I watch every single one of their matches, and you don't even know since when I've been watching them. It was my dream to be recognized by Manchester City, to be noticed by them, or to collaborate with them.

I am the only one from India, I think, who has officially collaborated with their main account of Man City, which has like 50 million plus followers on Instagram. These things for me… I can't even express what they mean. I had never imagined this would happen in my life. I just feel so grateful for that. And about the experience, I think it was the best experience of my life. To see that trophy in real life, the Premier League trophy, it just looks so majestic. I don't even know how to describe it in words; how special it was for me to be the one from India.

You're currently training in theatre for your big-screen debut, was acting always on your mind?

Acting has actually always been on my mind. It was my dad's dream to make me an actor. My dad's dream was basically to make me a badminton player. I am a state and national level badminton player too. So, my dad's first dream was to make me a badminton player, but his own dream was to become an actor. He was very fond of acting and had done theatre and all.

This thing was in my mind since childhood, that this line also exists. My dad's thinking was like that, but my mom wanted me to become a doctor. I did not become a doctor anyway. Now I am going towards my dad's dream. Since childhood, teachers and everyone used to say, he will go to Mumbai, he will become an actor, he will become a hero. And that thing just stays in your mind. People tell you, people put it in your head.

I always had it in my mind that I have to act, I have to do it, I have to make it. I have done enough with content creation, and I will do more, but I think I will get into the industry soon. I have to do it. I am learning theatre, I am learning acting, and slowly I will learn even more. I am improving my acting skills, my dancing skills, everything I can. I sing too. I just want to be the perfect product needed in the industry. I will do it.

What's one thing about acting that excites you… and one thing that scares you a little?

The one thing that excites me is that I always love the behind the scenes of acting, like those cameras, the people working around, the mics and everything. I just love it. Whenever I've been to a set for acting, for some shoot or anything, like I have done some ad shoots also and some for YouTube, whenever I've been to that environment, when you are the actor and the director is telling you something or the camera is on you, that thing just excites me so much. I have to do it just because I want to experience that. I have to make it my life, the cameras and everything. I love cameras.

And then what scares me a little, I think it's obviously the bad part we hear about Bollywood and everything. But I think that shouldn't be too much of a problem because if anything wrong happens to me, I have my content creation life. I have my content creation channel, like the YouTube channel, and my Instagram handle. I am somewhere sufficient to not cry over getting a role. So, if something ever bad happens to me and I'm not able to handle anything, then I think I'll have my YouTube audience and my Instagram audience to back me, to support me. So, the scary part just gets overshadowed by everything I have achieved until now.

If you could give one piece of advice to your 13-year-old self just starting out, what would it be?

If I met him, I would just tell him to keep doing what he is doing and do not stop. Because if he keeps going, I will still be where I am right now. But if he stops even once, then all of this will end. I have been made fun of for making videos. Teachers have taunted me a lot too. Everything that can happen to a small kid who makes videos has happened to me, and it probably still happens to other kids.

But I would still give a little credit to myself for not stopping because of what others said. Even my elder sister, when I was younger, was not very supportive at first. Later, she supported me a lot, but back then she used to say things like, what kind of videos are you making, or tell my mom, stop him, don't let him do this, he is acting weird. But I never stopped, and my mom and dad never stopped me either. So, I think I would just tell my 13-year-old self, please don't stop. Don't listen to anyone. Just keep doing what you are doing, and you will get everything you want.

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Finish this sentence: “Being a creator in India today means…”

Being a creator in India today means you are just pursuing something which half the people know about and half the people don't know about. Those who know have so many misconceptions that they must be earning in crores. They will just finish it. By earning the world, all the other professions are useless. Those who don't know treat you like you are not in a serious profession. They are like, you don't study? You won't become a doctor? You won't complete your degree?

It's not a part-time thing. You have to work like a full-fledged job. You have to give your all in this. It takes a lot of creativity. People just think it is so easy to become a creator. They just think that if you are uploading a vlog every day, it's easy because you have to show your life. But it is not like that. It takes a lot of hard work. Vlogging is not easy. I have tried it. Vlogging is not easy. Nothing is easy in this industry. But people just think it is easy. You just have to try it.