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Inside The Mind Of CarryMinati

Ajey Nagar is one of the most popular figures on the Indian internet even if you may not know him by that name. He adopted his now-popular moniker CarryMinati in 2014 after changing the name of his channel from AddictedA1. Carry began dabbling with videos on his YouTube channel Stealth Fearzz back in 2010, and the years since have seen him change his identity a few times. For MensXP’s October cover, we caught up with the YouTube sensation to find out more about him!

Story By: Gavin George
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Since CarryMinati launched himself into the vast unknowns of the internet, the years since have seen him grow in leaps and bounds - from a sharp-tongued bedroom gamer to Asia’s number-one YouTuber. Although, it hasn’t been without highs and lows. The journey to the top never is. 

Shirt: Dennis Lingo (@dennislingo.official), Pant suit: The Pot Plant (@thepotplantclothing), Shoes: dmodot (@dmodotofficial)

While CarryMinati has always been more than comfortably cocksure about his public image, his personal persona has largely remained a mystery. So, we set about on our journey to find out what makes him really tick.  

The narrow gullies of Shahpur Jat led me to the studio comfortably nestled in the corner-most building. The set has been tastefully portioned into three, with differing aesthetics allotted for each. Nonetheless, I make my way in pursuit of the subject of our interview. 

However, there was no sign of him; or so it seemed. Only when I further inspected the various rooms at the location did I find Ajey Nagar aka CarryMinati, surrounded by a swarm of people inspiredly playing with his looks.

Denim jacket and pants: Leh Studios (@leh.studios), Shirt: Perte D’ego (@perte_dego), Sandals: A Blunt Story (@abluntstory__)

To the naked eye, the YouTuber seemed calm and collected, but a keen viewer could possibly detect hints of frenetic energy bubbling beneath his skin; energy buoyed by a strong sense of determination. 

Carry is unabashedly himself, a fact he has ever-so-often reminded everyone around him, but, at the same time, he is also Ajey. Two contrasting sides to the same coin. The former, a brazen rebel unafraid to take the world by its horns; the latter, an aloof introvert comfortable in the shadows. Making his peculiar brand of individuality a dichotomic sum of the halves.  

It was always going to be interesting asking him questions, and peeling away the many layers of the Indian internet’s favourite wild child. Once Ajey had been declared ready for his shoot we began our interview with him for our cover story.

1.  At 23, you’re one of India's most followed internet figures. How does it feel to be on top of the world and recognized for your work?  

A: It’s a totally different feeling. When I started making videos I had never thought that all these things (success and fame) would come with it. So, in the beginning, it did feel a bit weird. 

But then after a period of time, I got comfortable with it and started enjoying it. If I’ve to be honest sometimes I tell myself, “No man, I don’t want all this”, but when people recognize me and cheer for me, I do feel happy no matter what I say. Obviously, it can’t go at my convenience (popularity).  

Jacket: Perte D’ego (@perte_dego), T-shirt: H&M (@hm), Pants: Leh Studios (@leh.studios), Shoes: New Balance (@brandmanretail)

2. Once again, quickly for our viewers: Can you explain the origin of the name ‘CarryMinati’?

A: (smirks) You see I’m a bit of an ‘English baby’. I’ve always had ‘angrezon ke shaunk’ (pleasures of the affluent). You see my channel was at one point called CarryDeol HD where I used to mimic Sunny Deol’s dialogue in a game and used to record people’s reactions in a video. I stopped it soon after though. 

Later, I started with the work I have been doing since then, but CarryDeol didn’t make sense any longer. It was then that I changed my name to CarryMinati. There’s no particular reason for it. It just sounds cool.

3.  You’ve consistently improved your numbers over the years. Even though you’re capable of generating virality intentionally, things must often lose their excitement once you’ve reached the milestone. The pressure and how to achieve your targets? How do you keep yourself motivated beyond numbers? 

A: When people used to ask me if I felt pressure while making videos I never really understood what they were talking about. But, slowly even I have started feeling that pressure. 

When I was younger I wouldn’t think too much about anything, so I didn’t really care about feeling pressure. But as I’ve grown older, like with other people, I’ve started to feel more nervous about things. “So many people are watching my videos”, and “They’re going to say this and that”, but at the end of the day whatever I need to do I will do. 

So, whoever wants to judge me will do so regardless. So what’s the point of me getting tensed?

Shirt: Perte D’ego (@perte_dego), Pants: Péro (@ilovepero), Watch: Pebble (@pebbleofficial), Socks: SockSoho (@socksoho), Shoes: New Balance (@brandmanretail)

4. Is there anything you feel like you've missed out on by having an unconventional career? 

A: Honestly, there has been a time when I sat down one night and started feeling bad about myself thinking, “Oh poor me, I’ve missed out on so many things”. (That I’ve missed out on) The love of my friends, late-night rides on scooties, and eating junk food at the nearby 24x7. But take a look at my life, it’s not bad at all.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably do the same thing. 

5.  Does CarryMinati have any insecurities? What about Ajey? Are you afraid of anything? What are some things that scare you? 

A: There’s no one who doesn’t have any insecurities. There is no such thing as perfection. The more you’re aware of your insecurities, the better it will be for you personally. The more I try to know myself better the more I realize that I don’t know myself well at all. 

No matter how much I try, I’m still unpredictable even for myself. You can even say that I may be slightly impulsive. 

When I’m working on my videos there are moments when I scrutinize my jokes especially if I like them because I’m worried about whether the audience will find them funny or not. But oftentimes, it’s the jokes that I think are normal that the audience ends up loving it. 

Everyone looks at everything from their own angle. At the end of the day, whether they’re big or small they all sleep in their underwear. So, there’s no need for me to feel insecure.

Shirt: Dennis Lingo (@dennislingo.official), Pant suit: The Pot Plant (@thepotplantclothing), Shoes: dmodot (@dmodotofficial)

6. As per your previous interviews, you've mentioned that Ajey Nagar and CarryMinati are two different sides of the same person. How do you distinguish between both? What is their equation? (In Personal and Professional Life) 

A: The relationship between Ajey Nagar and CarryMinati is a lot like friends-with-benefits (laughs). 

I feel that for a long time I hadn’t appreciated myself, which I’m now realizing is something I should do. At the end of the day, if I’m happy then my character is happy. If I’m upset then my character will express that too. 

Ironically, Some of my best work happens when I’m at my lowest, that’s when the frustration comes out too.  

7.    What is your take on freedom of expression?  

A: I look at the things I do from a different perspective. There are always two sides to every story. I can’t have the preconception that everyone is going to love what I create, I’ll only be setting myself up for future disappointment. (people loving everything I make) 

It’s impossible. But there’s a flipside to it as well. 

There have been occasions when people have sent me emails and even told me in person, that my videos helped them get through a difficult time in their lives. I never write scripts with the intention of making someone feel bad about anything, it’s not in my control at all. I am fine with getting criticism for my work, it’s possible that some may not like my style of content and there’s no problem with that. 

People are becoming more sensitive these days, and not necessarily in a bad way. So, we have to adapt to the changing times. You have to be flexible. But that doesn’t mean your freedom of speech is being curtailed. I feel you can create great content within limits too! 

To be honest, I don’t think it’s ever been there (freedom of expression) because then there would have been people getting into fights on every corner of every street.

Denim jacket and pants: Leh Studios (@leh.studios), Shirt: Perte D’ego (@perte_dego), Sandals: A Blunt Story (@abluntstory__)

8.  Has Carry ever suffered a heartbreak? Do you think the world puts pressure on young men to find someone to romance? What’s your answer to such people? 

A: I have ignored this segment altogether. My first love is still YouTube (laughs). YouTube is my girlfriend and will be in the near future. Beyond this, there’s no romantic scene in my life. 

9.   What's been the role of your family in your career? 

A: When I left school, my dad sat me down and told me, “Son, you’re not alone in this. There are many others who are doing what you want to do. It’s going to be extremely difficult for you to make something of yourself in this field. So, if you’re aware of it, then go ahead. Even if we force you to do something you won’t do it. If you think this is something you need to do, then do it.” 

I didn’t take even two minutes to make the decision. Three or four days after this conversation I left my school, and here I am today. I don’t think I’m responsible for my accomplishments, my mother and father are.  

10.   Carry’s persona is extremely confident. Would you call Ajey a confident individual as well? How do you find the balance?  

A: (jokingly) I don’t know if they’re my personality traits or my horoscope. There are two sides to me. Normally I’m not comfortable with people, but when I do, I become an extrovert. I’m usually comfortable in situations where I don’t feel like I’m the odd one out. And in places where I don’t know anyone, I become an introvert. 

I usually don’t go to parties, but when I do, I don’t really go up to anyone to start a conversation, it just doesn’t happen from within. I actually like it when people come up to me and have a conversation because I’m not able to initiate a conversation on my own. There’s no attitude behind it.

Jacket: Perte D’ego (@perte_dego), T-shirt: H&M (@hm), Pants: Leh Studios (@leh.studios), Shoes: New Balance (@brandmanretail)

11.   Do you have any regrets? Any flaws that you want us to know about?

A: I feel I often take people for granted, although it is something I am dealing with right now. Sometimes, you take the people who are good to you for granted. We’re often told not to open up in front of others because they will forget our worth. 

But I’m learning that the whole point is to recognize the value of the people who are good for you and not take them for granted. That’s something I’m actively fixing. 

12.   What's a message you'd like to give MensXP's audiences about being their most honest self? Even though you’re still young, can you share 3 life tips you've learned through your journey, so far?

A: Firstly, don’t try to control your life because the more you try to control it the more it will control you, so let it go. Let it happen. Be careful, but let life happen. 

The second tip would be to recognize the things you do and the things that bring joy to you. We often confuse satisfaction with happiness. In terms of celebrities, we imagine they are happy because they have fame and fortune. Trust me, even if they’re not happy. Find the things that bring you joy, and do it. Find the balance between what you want to do and what you have to do.  

The third and final point is that thinking too much about your future will lead you nowhere. Stay in the present moment, and live life according to it. (smiles) I know it’s cliched, but nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. Do what you want to do, today!

Credits
Editor: Dattaraj Thaly
Photographer: Anubhav Sood
Stylist: Shivika Paliwal
Styling assistant: Ritwika Dasgupta
Hair and Makeup: GG
Director: Vishakha Kaushik
Producer: Saumya Shresth
Cover design: Disha Bhatia
Cover Story: Gavin George
Production assistant: Ketan Pal