VIDEO

How cringe artists from Hyderabad are making money out of their flaws

A handful of cringe artists from Hyderabad are making money out of their flaws

Revathi | Venkateshh P. Revathi | Venkateshh P.

This category of celebrities is different. They are hated more than they are loved, they get trolled more than they get complimented and, most importantly, they are shamed more than they are appreciated. Meet the new-age cringe artists from Hyderabad, who have built careers and rose to fame because of their imperfections. The idea is simple: make people cringe so much that they are forced to return to watch you. With a massive following on social media, these internet stars have become sought-after names in Telugu households across the world.

The first in this list is Ch. Vinay, better known as ‘modable’ Vinay, who reviews movies in English. Do not try looking up the word because it does not exist in the English dictionary. “I went to watch a Telugu movie in a multiplex,” shares the 22-year-old. “Before I entered the theatre, I saw media persons with mics asking the audience about the movie. When I went closer, I noticed a foreigner who was giving a review in English. I did not want to feel inferior, so I also spoke in English.”

This particular act to impress people changed his life. He was nervous, as he had not yet watched the film and was not fluent in English, and what he spoke made people watch in disbelief. The usage of words was wrong, the pronunciation was incorrect, the vocabulary was bad and, most importantly, he said words that did not even exist. “It is a modable movie,” he said.

Das Kumar | Venkateshh P. Das Kumar | Venkateshh P.

He meant to describe the movie as a fantastic one. The video went viral, and was shared on social media by actor Vijay Deverakonda. Vinay's next few movie reviews were in high demand. Mics were thrust into his face by channel crew. One of his subsequent reviews was shared by Rishi Kapoor.

“I know my language is funny,” he says. “But that is what people like.” He was trolled and made fun of, but there were also requests to do reviews. He earned a one-year contract with a web channel to exclusively review Telugu movies in English. Right now, ‘modable’ Vinay is busy with his first big Telugu film in which he is playing the role of an English teacher. “My aim is to see the word ‘modable’ in the Oxford dictionary,” he says.

Das Kumar has many names. ‘Darling’ Das and ‘Torture’ Das are some of them. He is a Dubsmash artist, dancer and singer, all rolled into one. Except that he does not look or sound professional. “The first time I made a video and uploaded it, I got such negative comments that my father immediately asked me to stop this activity,” he says. A former call centre executive, Das has more than 80,000 followers on his Instagram page. He is a victim of body shaming; his facial features, especially his teeth, are frequently mocked. “I think my smile is my asset,” he says. “I am a very calm person, otherwise I would have killed people by now. We need to understand that God gave us this face and it is beautiful in its own way. I do not get bogged down by comments. I do what I like.”

Ch. Vinay | Venkateshh P. Ch. Vinay | Venkateshh P.

He is famous for his romantic expressions and funny reactions. “I have to upload videos almost on a daily basis or my followers will be upset,” he says. Das is now being approached by movie makers and event managers to promote their ventures. “I earn three times more than I used to earn. I am happy. I also have female followers who want to meet me,” he says with a smile.

If there is someone who can effortlessly dance with moves completely out of sync, it is Revathi. Her dance videos are a big hit, with some even getting a lakh views on Instagram. She dances without a care in the world, and that has worked in her favour. “Users post very negative comments,” she says. “I have got calls from people threatening to finish me [off] if I upload more videos. But I don’t get affected.”

Accepting their ‘flaws’ and brimming with confidence, these stars use the negativity that comes their way to shine bright.

TAGS