Funcho: Content Creator of the Month interview
1. What was the turning point that made you feel, “Okay, this is going big”?
Shyam and Dhruv: By the time we released our 15th or 16th video, we had met our first fan, and that’s when the impact truly started to take hold. People began approaching us, our videos were being widely shared in WhatsApp groups, and we started gaining meaningful recognition. That was the moment we felt we had accomplished something significant. Another key milestone was our first brand collaboration. It was then that we realised that this could become a viable source of income. That was the point at which we understood that this journey was growing into something far bigger than we had imagined
2. If reels were banned tomorrow, what would you start instead?
Shyam and Dhruv: We have experience performing comedy in both short and long formats, with a strong understanding of how to craft and deliver a humorous narrative. Our journey began during rehearsals for our college drama festival, and while we thrive in the digital space, our roots are firmly planted in live performance. If reels were to disappear tomorrow, we’d return to the stage, but the content would always live on.
3. What’s the story behind the name Funcho? How did it come about?
Shyam and Dhruv: Initially, our name was “Funchod,” inspired by All India Bakchod. However, we later realized that creating non-abusive content under a name that carried an abusive tone wouldn’t be the right fit. So, we decided to drop the ‘d’ and rebranded ourselves as “Funcho.”
4. How do you deal with creative differences (if any) while working as a duo?
Shyam and Dhruv: That’s one of our greatest strengths, as each of us brings a unique approach to execution. Every idea goes through a collaborative process: we first discuss it between ourselves, then review it with our team before finalising it for the audience. It’s like a two-step verification system, if one of us overlooks something, the other is there to catch it.
5. The most bizarre brand collaboration pitch you’ve ever received?
Shyam and Dhruv: Yes, there’s this one instance with a relatively new brand, something related to the construction industry, and it wasn’t even well-known at the time. They reached out to us via DM with a proposal: collaborate with us, and you’ll gain more followers, increased exposure, and potential brand deals. And we were like, what? Really?
6. If not content creators, what would you both be doing?
Shyam and Dhruv: We’re both engineers by education, but neither of us wanted to pursue a career in that field. I (Shyam) began as a child actor and appeared in several daily soaps and films. However, I took a break from acting during my engineering studies. After graduating, I returned to acting, and had this journey not unfolded the way it did, I might have been a struggling actor today. I (Dhruv), on the other hand, started a digital marketing firm. If not for this path, I would likely be working as a freelance digital marketer.
7. What’s one myth people believe about content creators that you wish you could bust once and for all?
Shyam and Dhruv: There’s a common misconception that being a content creator or influencer is all fun and games – all it requires is just filming with a phone, saying a few lines, dancing, and relaxing. However, the truth is that what started as a side hustle has evolved into a serious, full-time business. Creating quality content takes consistent effort, creativity, and dedication. We’ve reached a point where we rarely switch off our minds, and are constantly thinking about the next idea, the next post.
8. Ever had a script or idea that seemed to flop before the execution, but then become a hit later? Tell us the story!
Shyam and Dhruv: We created an IP called “If Actors Played Cricket.” Initially, we weren’t very confident about it. Even during the shooting, editing, and uploading stages, we had our doubts. But to our surprise, it performed exceptionally well, garnering 30 million views. Encouraged by its unexpected success, we decided to create a second reel, thinking the first might have been a one-off. That one also resonated with the audience. Eventually, the five-part series garnered over 150 million views and attracted around 700k new followers.
9. Which celebrity sliding into your DMs would leave you absolutely starstruck?
Shyam and Dhruv: We have produced numerous videos on cricket, covering both domestic and international matches. So, receiving a message or even a comment from Virat Kohli would truly leave us starstruck.
10. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new content creators just starting out?
Shyam and Dhruv: Three or four years ago, people primarily followed trends. Today, however, relying solely on trends is no longer effective for content creation. As a content creator, it’s essential to have a defined niche. If viewers want to watch a rant, they’ll likely choose a specific creator known for that style. The same applies to creators in other niche categories; audiences tend to prefer and stick with those who consistently deliver what they’re looking for.
11. What led you to start NotFunny? Was there a moment when you realised content could scale into a creative agency?
Shyam and Dhruv: We began our journey with comedy and storytelling, gradually developing a deeper understanding of content creation. Being fans of humorous advertisements, we found traditional ads relatively mundane. That inspired us to launch NotFunny – a platform where we could focus on writing rather than acting, and collaborate creatively with brands.
Quick Bytes
If your childhood had a tagline, what would it be?
Shyam: Failed Engineer
Dhruv: Sloth
Who takes longer to get ready for a shoot?
Shyam
Who’s more likely to forget the script mid-shot and just improvise?
Both of us.
Who’s the one texting “Bro content idea!!” at 2 AM?
Shyam
Vada pav with chocolate sauce or Maggi with mango pickle — pick your poison.
Whey Protein with Paneer
Dhruv in one word?
Paisa
Shyam in one word?
Late
