Bhuvan Bam: I am Bhuvan Bam from New Delhi, India and the owner/performer at BB Ki Vines. I make funny videos on the internet and aim to spread smiles all over the world.
Times of Youth: Since BB is a short form of your own name, is there any other special reason why you prefer to call your vines by that? Why didn’t you choose some funky name?
Bhuvan Bam: No special reason as such. All my friends call me either ‘Bam’ or ‘BB’. People easily connect to that name and personally, I think it sounds cute. Haha!
Times of Youth: When did you decide that comedy and vine making was your calling?
Bhuvan Bam: I’ve been quite an entertainer since my school days. I thought of Vine making a year ago when I randomly created a video and it was appreciated by people.
Times of Youth: What was the first reaction of your family members when they heard your decision about being a comedian?
Bhuvan Bam: Interestingly, I am not a comedian. Music is my profession and passion. All my earnings are through my live performances and original songs. Yes, my parents were a bit skeptical about me creating comical videos but as long as they see me happy doing that, they’re okay with it.
Times of Youth: Which was your first funny video? How was the response to it?
Bhuvan Bam: My first video was ‘The Chakhna Issue’ which I uploaded in 2014. Not many people have seen it as I did not upload it to my page. It had got 10-15 views back then.
Times of Youth: We noticed that you have several of your videos which in a way make fun of parents. How do your parents react to that?
Bhuvan Bam: My parents are quite cool with it though they don’t relate themselves with any character.
Times of Youth: You prefer to feature your own self in various characters for your videos unless really needed, why is that so?
Bhuvan Bam: I have always felt comfortable working on my own. Frankly, I don’t like when someone tries to change my ideas/concepts. It changes and hinders my style of working. In future, I’d sure love to collab with other artists.
Times of Youth: Did any person ever take grave offense to any of your videos, and for what? Conversely, what has been the most genuine compliment you ever received?
Bhuvan Bam: Not really. Some people do tell me that my content is 18+ but that doesn’t stop me from doing what I do. Everyone has their own perception. The people who love my work in a massive majority so I don’t mind a bit of negativity.
Times of Youth: Your most watched video being of the “Doctor Sehgal” series, has there ever been any real Dr. Sehgal in your life to make fun of? Did you personally come across any doctor by that name who expressed his displeasure?
Bhuvan Bam: Dr. Sehgal is actually a real doctor whose clinic is right next to my house. I’ve had many funny experiences with him but he is nowhere similar to the on-screen Dr. Sehgal. I have just used his name and I feel guilty. Haha!
Times of Youth: Your independence day special vine, “A Lost Neighbour”, made in collaboration with a group of cross country viners was very well received. How was your experience while shooting it and the consequent reviews?
Bhuvan Bam: I was approached by Karachi Vynz just a week before. We talked over the Indo-Pak concept and finally decided to release it on the Independence Day. It was a bit tough shooting the video as everything was done through Whatsapp or Skype. But in the end, it came out well and was accepted very positively by viewers across the globe.
Rapid Fire Round:
- Winter or Summer? Winters always!
- Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
- Coffee or tea? Coffee
- Money or fame? Money
- Adventurous or cautious? Cautious
- Meat or veggies? Meat
- Classic or modern? Classic
- Cars or bikes? Bikes
- Night or Morning? Depends on what’s need to be done. But night.
Times of Youth: Comedians, we hear, especially internet and social media sensation like you are, have a bumpy ride in terms of making a living. How has your journey been so far?
Bhuvan Bam: As I mentioned above, all my earnings come through my Live Musical Performances and Original Songs. I haven’t yet earned anything through Comedy.
Times of Youth: Any particular work of yours which is the closest to your heart?
Bhuvan Bam: This year, Our government has imposed many illogical bans in the country. In March 2015, I released my original song ‘Ban-Chod’ which was a reply to such bans. This song reached lakh views in just a day and was amongst the ‘Most Popular Video on Youtube’ for a week.
Times of Youth: So which are your new projects that we should watch out for?
Bhuvan Bam: This year I’ll be releasing another original song. Also, on the comical front, there are many collaborations in process.
Times of Youth: What makes you come up with so many ideas with such enormous potential to crack up the audiences?
Bhuvan Bam: I observe the people around me. Their actions and reactions help a lot in creating ideas for my videos.
Times of Youth: Tell us something funny.
Bhuvan Bam: My mom right now thinks that I’m talking to my girlfriend
Times of Youth: Has your work ever been criticized? How did you handle it?
Bhuvan Bam: Criticism is very important. Of course, I have been criticised and I have learnt to take it positively.
Times of Youth: Plagiarism, nowadays, is commonplace. Have you ever been its victim? What do you want to say to those who steal ideas to be famous?
Bhuvan Bam: Stealing ideas is very easy. People should realise that a lot of hard work is put in the making of a video. To all those reading this, Stay Original.
Times of Youth: What has been your most unforgettable experience in your journey of spreading smiles?
Bhuvan Bam: Every day is a special one. A lot of people message me saying that after a long day at work/college they watch my videos. Feels great to be a reason behind so many smiles.
Times of Youth: What advice would you give to the young upcoming comedians who still have a long way to go?
Bhuvan Bam: Make sure your content is good. Quantity doesn’t matter, Quality does! and of course, Stay Original.
Times of Youth: Do tell us how your fans can contact you to share their appreciation and feedback.
Bhuvan Bam: My fans can contact me directly through my facebook page. Or they can mail me at bhuvanbam@gmail.com.
