New Delhi: In the vast landscape of content creation, where people are doing comedy, makeup, art, music, dance ans whatnot- there are a few ones who have really made it big in the world of social media and Ankush Bahuguna is one of them. From comedy videos with his co-creator Shibani Bedi, to makeup- Ankush has tried it all. If you browse through his Instagram profile, you are surely guaranteed some rib-tickling moments and content that is widely relatable and new age. 


Additionally, he also has another profile with the name 'Wing It With Ankush', where he showcases his makeup skills. With a whooping follower base of 1.1M+ and 474K+ in his profiles, Ankush was the only male creator who was on boarded as the brand ambassador for Mac India alongside Bhumi Pednekar and other female influencers.


In a candid conversation with ABP Live, Ankush spoke about his reels with Shibani, shared his inspiration for makeup and so much more. 


Here are some excerpts from the interview:


Your content ranges from comedy to makeup- can you share how did you get started with these?


I started my career as a writer. I used to write scripts for comedy videos, screenplays for short films. Soon after, I also started featuring in them as an actor. It wasn’t until 2-3 years into it that I realised I had enough skill set to become a creator. I realised if I could write, act and perform - I could just build my own community instead of working for a brand or a publication. And so, I started uploading funny videos on Instagram and surprisingly, people actually turned up to watch them. Slowly and gradually I built an entire community. The makeup channel happened much later, in lockdown, when I didn’t have any resources like stylists & makeup artists and I had to step up & do my mothers makeup for videos. People seemed to really like my candidness as a makeup noob. One experiment led to another and before I knew it, I was making beauty content!






Can you say something about your reels with Shibani, where you both dress up as elderly couple? When you came up with this concept, did you think it will be so popular?


Honestly, just a collaborate with Shibani makes me happy. There’s something about our creative energies - they just click. And it’s infectious, that’s why people love our content so much. The series was not even planned, we shot the first part because we were bored and couldn’t stop laughing while shooting it, but we uploaded it anyway. Turns out, people loved it. And then we took the idea forward and made it an actual series. Never did we think this would get us the kinda response it consistently has!






From a degree in architecture to being an influencer- how did the transition happen?


Joining architecture school was a bad judgement, one month in and I already knew I didn’t wanna be an architect. But I completed my graduation nonetheless because I didn’t know what else to do with life either. During college, I used to write comedy and my friends used to love it. I also wrote a book that won national debut youth fiction award in the unpublished category, so I had faith that I’ll be able to write professionally. Right after graduation I applied for a bunch of jobs, landed up at a media house and then life eventually brought me here! 


Who is your favourite co-creator and why?


Shibani - I have immense respect for her talent and what we create with each other is just pure joy. 






Where did your inspiration for makeup come from?


My mother. The fact that she loves to dress up but doesn’t know anything about makeup made me want to pick up the brush and figure it out myself. I love dolling her up.


Can you share something about your podcast show 'The Gentleman Show'?


It was my first ever podcast, I was very nervous but we pulled through. It has some very insightful conversations that added so much perspective and value to my life. 


How was it like to be the brand ambassador for MAC India alongside Bhumi Pednekar and other female influencers?


It was unreal, exhilarating and also a little bit unbelievable. As someone who grew feeling ugly, it was a surreal moment to see me being a part of a 'beauty campaign'. Also with a brand that I love. It’s so strange that my first ever foundation was a MAC foundation and a year later I was the face of it!


You also made some reels with your mother since she is an actor. Have you ever taken tips from her for acting?


I love making content with my mother but I think she allows me my space to grow as an actor. She’s not the kinds to spoon feed me. She’s always there, though, with her undying support . I want to do an acting project that makes her feel proud of me, both as an actor & a mother! 


What are your plans for the future?


I’m focusing very hard on acting for now. It was always the main plan and it always will be. I wanna take up projects that show a completely different side to me. I’ve made the big move to Mumbai, I’m training as an actor, I’m auditioning as much as I can. Let’s hope you get to see me in something good very very soon!