From @MostlySane to shooting a documentary with Michelle Obama to most recently, Netflix’s Mismatched, Indian YouTuber Prajakta Koli is dabbling in multiple arts – content creation, acting, writing and interactive content. She opens up to us about how the pandemic has changed her perspective on life.
ELLE: How has the pandemic impacted you? What have been your introspections, self-revelations and discoveries?
Prajakta Koli: Right before the lockdown, I had the busiest professional life—I was shooting for a couple of series, a documentary, travelling a lot and creating content for my own channel. I count myself as blessed to have those opportunities, but I started feeling there was too much on my plate, and I wasn’t able to deal with it. Physically, I wasn’t t; mentally, I had hit exhaustion. Suddenly, I had a lot of time on my hands and spent it introspecting. It helped me gain a better perspective, and I reconnected with lost connections. One of the biggest self- revelations was that I was unorganised. In recent months, I’ve tackled that problem and realised the worth of self-care. So no matter how hectic my schedule is, I find time to meditate and work out, watch what I am eating, ensure I get sufficient sleep and write a bit at bedtime.
ELLE: What has the crisis shown us as a community?
PK: It has shown us we are all in the same boat, trying to survive. Your wealth doesn’t matter; if you are going to fall sick, you will fall sick. The crisis has effectively put a spotlight on how we need each other’s love and care, and the basics of food, water and shelter to survive; everything else is not as important.
ELLE: How do you see content creation evolving to accommodate the new demands of your target audience and their changing mindsets?
PK: Back in the day, when I started making videos, we thought India would consume a certain kind of content—until creators from every part of the country brought their own flavour and perspective into content, customised and moulded it for the audience. I think content creation in our country is already so dynamic and accommodating of the audience’s demands. The whole idea of a content pyramid is non-existent; I feel it’s a content globe, where content differs for each person.
ELLE: In Mismatched, you have worked with the character of a ‘hero’. What are your thoughts on having to share the limelight, and how important are collaborations for artists?
PK: I have collaborated so often! I think they are great opportunities, and one gets to learn so much from the other person; it helps you grow. I got to work with a fabulous team in Mismatched, so it didn’t ever feel like I was sharing the limelight with them. You grow when you work together, you imbibe so much from the other person, and it helps in breaking the monotony.
ELLE: How are you #ImaginingTheWorldToBe post-COVID-19?
PK: I am hoping people are going to be more compassionate and appreciative of the smaller things in life. I remember how much my parents missed their evening walk because that was one of the most enjoyable things for them. I also believe that we humans need to come together and work towards improving our health, community and surroundings.
