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Shlok Srivastava: Merging tech with fashion

Observing Tech Burner in person was similar to consuming his content online - engaging, super fun and confident as he stood there covered in dapper clothes by Dennis Lingo, coming across as one of the luckiest creators I’d seen. But what if I told you I stood corrected?

Story By: Sadhika Sehgal
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I have always been told that success requires mainly two things — luck and hard work. And while the existence of the former was accounted for in Shlok Srivastava’s journey, I was impressed to find out just how much hard work is put behind the scenes to consistently come up with the next trending video on YouTube. 

He was shy, polite and walked with a sense of gratitude in his eyes. Despite wearing several rounds of success on his back, which also included his own clothing brand Overlays, Shlok was not full of pride or arrogance. He was patient, indulgent and excited to talk about all things tech and fashion, and obviously he looked dapper, dressed up in his Dennis Lingo outfit. The brand is known for giving a dreamy fit to every silhouette, and the quality speaks for itself. Needless to say, Dennis Lingo effortlessly complemented Shlok's confident personality.

How did it feel to experience success in your 20s?

20s main success achieve karne ka mazza alag hai. I am and have been lucky. I have been very blessed and I have worked hard so I have achieved it. All those times that I didn’t work enough, I didn’t get anything. I won’t say that I have achieved something next level, but yes I have done things.

Although until I do something that impacts the world, I won’t call my journey a success. But yes, success makes a lot of things in life easier. Nothing goes around without money and then the problems faced by rich people are also different — you don’t have to look at prices when you’re shopping, but it all comes at a cost and you have to make a lot of sacrifices for these luxuries.

Which product according to you will be up for mass adoption? For example, which will be our next WhatsApp?

I feel like whatever creative stuff is out there — making movies or ads, there is a lot of cost involved in making them. So the 300-400 crores that people spend on that can be better utilized with AI to make better quality movies in the future. You may be able to make better films with just Rs. 3-4 crores. 

Imagine Amitabh Bachchan doing an action film in 2050!

Do you have fears in life?

I feel emotions very strongly. I am scared that we employ a lot of people and if I ever make a wrong decision, there are a lot of people that may lose their jobs. So there is a lot of pressure of taking the right call, the right step, but that is the life I chose, so can’t complain!

I feel everything very intensely — anger, frustration or anything. I can either sit, cry or sleep or I can do something about it. So even when I am struck with anxiety, I try to work and release that energy in a productive way.

Motivational videos don’t sit well with you?

More than motivation, what really works in my opinion is obsession. If you’re obsessed, you will find the discipline to do everything. Without that, no matter how many videos you watch, timetables you make, you won’t pull off anything. 

So, it is the goal that drives you. The ‘push’ doesn’t work, the ‘pull’ works. If your goal attracts you, then that is what is going to pull you to work.

Motivation is just a starting point, nothing more than that.


How would you define a ‘man’?

When you’re a kid, you’re thinking of how to enjoy life. You’re basically a slave who listens to whatever his/her parents are saying. They tie you down in a cage but once you grow up, then reality hits you. You realize you have to earn money, you have to protect and provide for yourself and your family. That is when a boy becomes a man, when you take on those responsibilities.

Credits
Head Of Editorial Content: Dattaraj Thaly
Story By: Sadhika Sehgal
Creative Director: Vishakha Kaushik
Photography: Asad Ali
Styling: Jaishree Chhabra
Producer: Surajit Mondal
Make Up: Prabhat Giri
Hair: Prabhat Giri
Video Editor: Gurpreet Singh Virk
Wardrobe: Dennis Lingo
Graphics: Dhruv Verma