I am sure many are aware that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (1978 born) is a former actor-comedian, & closer home in news this week, Punjab’s 17th & youngest ever Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (1973 born) also donned both roles. Maybe it’s the season to celebrate all those who bring smiles & laughter in our lives, so who better than Namma Bengaluru Huduga Shreyass Rao (1992 born!) whose reels on Instagram have more than 17.2K followers @shreyassraoo, an increase in leaps & bounds in the last 18 months of WFH (Work From Home) Phase.
The multi-faceted Shreyass, who did his schooling across India in various Kendriya Vidyalayas thanks to his father’s Central Government Job, says he fell in love with FM Radio once his family shifted base to Bengaluru in 2006. In 2008, in his 10th grade he decided to be a part of the creative field while listening to Shreya Ghoshal songs (his favourite Artist). Unable to clear II PUC (Sindhi College, Hebbal) as he struggled to cope with the Science stream, he shifted to Arts. In hindsight he considers this as a learning process. Our determined Taurus (17th May) completed his Graduation with flying colours from Manipal University, Bengaluru, in Mass Communication & Journalism, making his mother (who is a Physics & Maths teacher) & father (who is with the prestigious Institute for Social and Economic Change) very proud. Shreyass has a Diploma in Film making too.
His stint with 104 Fever FM, Bengaluru, and MTV & VH1,Mumbai, gave him tremendous exposure to the world of media & entertainment. Shreyass claims he hardly ever went on the stage in any of the school level events being an introvert & reserved child. Today, while he may not be an extrovert, is comfortable being an ambivert (person who has a balance of extrovert and introvert features in their personality) & enjoys a good time with close network of friends & colleagues on weekends.
Many of his videos (which he shoots on an iPhone) become instant hits and are not limited only to a Kannada audience but a much bigger audience because of his fluency in Hindi which he liberally uses in his content. The parody he makes on everyday situations, areas within Bangalore that we belong to, food habits, every day office scenarios, civic issues etc., bring a smile & chuckle. His camaraderie with ex-colleague turned good buddy from his 104 Fever FM days Sonu Venu Gopal always guarantees a laughter unlimited series (especially their hilarious videos on the characters Karthik & Kruthika – school classmates always ready to ‘fix’ each other!) Many scripts & improvisations are done over hot coffee & idlis which they both are very fond of along with partner in crime Bhuvana who is a Digital Marketing Professional.
With more than 30 corporate shows, 4 brand collaborations & 20 open mic sessions am curious how he manages time so effectively, especially given his current demanding job with a leading FM Radio Station in Bengaluru! He says, it’s his hobby turned passion which keeps him going; engaging with his audience whose appreciation & encouragement gives a kick!
Like other stand-up comedians he likes to keep himself updated with all current affairs to stay relevant with the audience & quite often relatives serve as ready source of inspiration for his reels. His mother is his biggest source of content as well as inspiration!
Rao’s proud parents & his younger brother Advaith (who has completed his PG in law) enjoy sharing his videos in various WhatsApp groups & love the compliments & comments.
A low carb diet, intermittent fasting, gym & walking has made him shed 20 kgs in the last 2 years which has made him look far fitter & leaner. This currently single 30-year-old is a teetotaller, doesn’t smoke, cooks very good food & is spiritual too (Eligible Girls are you reading this!). It’s a very disciplined (early riser every day by 6AM) almost bordering on a boring lifestyle which our stand-up comedian leads (hard to believe though!). The 2021 Darshan starrer Kannada Movie -Roberrt’s song Kannu Hodiyaka sung by Shreya Ghoshal is his current favourite which he listens in a loop!
The love for Bengaluru & Kannada made Shreyass (with an extra S in his name!) shift base to Namma Ooruu. The extra S is for perhaps a STAR in the making!
So nice to read. All the very best to Shreyas and his family….