In this heartfelt episode of AfterHours with All About Eve, Bani Anand sits down with content creator Ankush Bahuguna, known for challenging gender norms and redefining masculinity.
In this episode, he opens up about navigating online hate, and his viral Digital Arrest Scam experience, while sharing insights on fame, creativity, and self-worth.
The podcast begins with Ankush’s journey of breaking the outdated belief that men cannot wear makeup. Inspired by his love for painting and a background in architecture, his sharp eye for aesthetics shines through his work.
Ankush shares his struggles with online trolling and how support from his inner circle—especially during the pandemic—kept him grounded. He highlights society’s double standards around male grooming, where styling hair and beards is accepted, but makeup is frowned upon. His bond with his mother, who was his first muse for makeup, is a touching story. Though his parents were initially hesitant about his unconventional career, they eventually embraced it after witnessing his success.
A turning point in Ankush Bahuguna's career came when his character ‘Kanjoos Pankaj’ went viral, bringing him widespread recognition. Despite his achievements, Ankush admits that fear and the pressure to constantly create often tie his self-worth to productivity—something many creators struggle with.
Bani explores the challenges of scaling as a creator. While delegation might seem like an easy solution, Ankush points out that his authenticity is what makes his content irreplaceable. His viral makeup videos resonated because his audience connected with his diverse range of interests. Bani also compliments his dance skills, and Ankush shares the effort involved in making content appear effortless.
The interview shifts to his dreams of acting, which Ankush finds more challenging than content creation due to factors such as looks, timing, and networking—an area where he sometimes feels out of place in Mumbai’s often superficial social scene. He also reflects on creators like Bhuvan Bam and Prajakta Koli, who are successfully bridging the gap between digital fame and mainstream entertainment.
In a vulnerable moment, Ankush opens up about dealing with online hate, particularly after sharing his Digital Arrest Scam experience. Though the backlash was intense, support from fans and public figures made it worthwhile, helping others avoid similar scams.
Ankush discusses the jealousy that can sometimes creep into the creator space, though he remains genuinely happy for friends like Dolly Singh, Kusha Kapila, and Shibani Bedi.
As the episode draws to a close, Ankush reflects on his evolving views of love—shifting from grand gestures to finding joy in everyday moments. He also shares his recent experience performing a deeply personal childhood story at Spoken Fest, describing it as both cathartic and memorable.
The episode ends on a light-hearted note with the ‘Golmol or Not’ rapid-fire round, blending humour, raw honesty, and valuable insights into the life of a creator navigating fame, ambition, and authenticity.
(00:00) Episode begins
(01:37) Ankush Bahuguna on wearing makeup
(04:10) Was he ever afraid to put on makeup?
(06:49) The hypocrisy of men
(08:16) His mother’s reaction to him putting on makeup
(11:40) Transitioning from architecture to content creation
(13:10) His first career high
(15:01) His first career low
(16:28) Does Ankush have frequent meltdowns?
(19:06) The competitiveness of content creation
(24:52) Ankush Bahuguna's acting journey
(29:01) Why he struggles with networking
(30:21) Why acting is still his Plan A
(31:03) On Bhuvan Bam and creators’ massive fan following
(32:48) Ankush's take on fame
(35:27) How he deals with hate
(35:51) What happens when he shares something personal and people don’t get the point?
(36:52) Ankush Bahuguna's video on digital arrest
(39:39) The trolling he faced after the digital arrest scam
(41:46) Understanding the mentality of trolls
(43:49) Is all engagement good engagement?
(44:50) A creator he admires – Yashraj Mukhate
(47:07) A gig Ankush did just for the money
(50:09) Does it bother him when others land big brand deals?
(51:17) Will content creators ever get lead roles in films?
(54:25) His most starstruck moment
(55:44) How creators have become key players in brand communication
(57:26) Has Ankush ever turned down a project?
(01:00:16) People from his past who treated him badly but now reach out
(01:03:20) The funniest thing Ankush has read about himself on Reddit
(01:04:43) His take on romantic love
(01:07:49) New things he’s excited about – Spoken Fest
(01:09:18) How Ankush Bahuguna unwinds AfterHours
(01:11:19) Game: Golmol or Not?
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