Exclusive: Satish Ray on Fake Podcast, Panchayat, and the Unexpected Journey from Engineer to Creator

Satish Ray, known for his hilarious Fake Podcast sketches and role in Panchayat, talks about how he turned his engineering degree into a creative career. In this exclusive conversation with Whosthat360, he shares his advice for aspiring creators and much more.

If your 2014 ‘Backbenchers' version of you could watch your content today, what do you think he would say?

Honestly, the 2014 version of me would be shocked and probably ask, “Did you make all this?” Back then, I was just an engineering student trying to figure out my way through YouTube by making content and comedy sketches. I don't think he could have imagined building this many characters or having people look forward to them. So I'm sure he would have been proud of how far we have come along the way.

What's your personal ‘litmus test' for deciding whether an idea deserves to become a full sketch, a reel, or just a story?

If the idea makes me laugh out loud and feel slightly nervous about whether people will get it, that is usually a good sign that it should become a sketch. If it's just a passing thought, it might work as a reel or a story. I try to let the format match the strength of the idea. But at the end of the day, I rely on my gut and how excited I feel about it.

What's been your most creatively exhausting project so far, and what kept you going despite the challenges?

Well, every series comes with its ups and downs. There are days when everything flows, and then there are days when you are stuck because of some technical delay or creative block. But if I had to name one project that drained me in the best way, it would be the Fake Podcast series. Especially the early episodes, where I was writing wildly different personalities, switching between them, and still trying to keep the comedy sharp, it felt like I was doing stand-up, theatre, improv, and editing all at once. But the love it received kept me going. Somewhere deep down, I knew I was building something different, something that had not been done before, at least not in this format.

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How did the idea of your “fake podcast” come to life? Was it always meant to be a parody, or did it evolve organically into what it is now?

It started as a jam session with my co-writer and the team. We were playing around with characters and scenarios. As we went along, the structure started taking shape, and the parody aspect became more intentional. The first season ended up being a mix of satire, sketch comedy, and pure madness. The audience response played a huge role too. It gave us the confidence to keep pushing and the freedom to experiment with even crazier formats and relatable characters.

Which character is the toughest to stay in while recording your fake podcast? Have you ever broken into laughter mid-recording?

Each character comes with its challenge, whether it is Janab Maqsood's poetic Urdu, Babar Azam's deadpan charm, or Rohit Sharma's Mumbaiya coolness. Every accent, tone, and body language shift needed a change in energy, so each episode felt like stepping into a whole new world. And yes, there have absolutely been moments where I have cracked up mid-recording unexpectedly. Sometimes you write the joke, deliver it, and still surprise yourself in the moment. That is when you know you are truly enjoying it.

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You work in comedy, but when was the last time you weren't in the mood to laugh at yourself? How do you show up creatively on those days?

There have been quite a few days when I did not feel like being funny, whether because of personal stuff, mental blocks, or burnout. On those days, I do not try to force humour. Instead, I write honestly, even if it is not funny, because it helps me reconnect with the process. Sometimes creativity shows up not in jokes, but in discipline — in showing up, hitting record, and trusting that the spark will return.

Did your role in Panchayat open new doors for you as an actor? What was your most memorable experience working on that set?

Well, Panchayat was a beautiful turning point in my journey. It was not just another sketch or quick-format content; it was proper storytelling with layered characters, and I felt grateful to be part of that world. It gave me the push I needed at that stage, both in terms of confidence and visibility. It is hard to pinpoint one moment because, honestly, every single day on set was a learning experience. Standing next to veteran actors and observing their craft up close was surreal, and being part of something that resonated so deeply with people made it all the more special.

What does ‘success' look like to you today as compared to when you started?

Well, I guess the more you work, the more you raise the bar for yourself, so your definition of success keeps evolving. When I started, success meant getting views or being noticed. Today, it feels quieter and more internal. It is about creating something meaningful, being part of projects that reflect who I am, and not constantly chasing trends.

And lastly, any advice for aspiring creators who look up to your journey or are just starting today?

Just start. Do not wait for the perfect moment or the "right time" because your voice and your perspective matter more than the setup. It is easy to get caught up chasing virality, but the real magic happens when you build your little universe, even if only ten people show up at first. Stay consistent, stay curious, and do not be afraid of failure, because even your worst idea can lead to your best one. The key is to keep creating and experimenting, no matter what.