Dorjee Khando
The first Nepali Prank channel was started by Akash Sedai with the channel named “Nepali Pranksters”. He has been setting a platform for the pranksters in Nepal since 2013.
Back in college, a Nepali IT student, who once pictured his entire professional life reducing into a nine-to-five desk job behind a computer screen, has today become a YouTube celebrity of sorts; thanks to his knee-slapping prank videos.
But when he first set out to make those videos, all sorts of doubtful questions ensued in his own mind, as did bitter rejections from those he approached. “When I would ask people if they were interested, everyone agreed in excitement,” Akash recalls, “but when the actual day came, they were a no-show.”
But he didn’t let any of that get into his mind. He toughened up and followed his vision with determination. Once he set out, he got to meet a lot of new, like-minded people who had a lot to teach him. It was a mixed journey of frequent hard work and occasional fun.
It was not long before he met Milan Shrestha and Niranjan Sapkota who eventually became his partners in crime. And before they knew, they took their creative leap. “We were so into making the videos that we even bunked our classes and the response was great,” Akash tells, “that was something that kept us going.”
Here in our little Q&A game, we asked Akash a bunch of stuff about his life and the videos.
What led you to become a prankster?
As an IT student, I used to spend a lot of time on the internet, which ultimately led me to this YouTube prankster called VitalyzdTv. They were just awesome. Their pranks were so hardcore I started following them almost immediately, which I still do. I guess, those folks are the ones who inspired me to start doing pranks professionally.
One of your pranks that you enjoyed the most…
I love every bit of what I do so, to be honest, I enjoy all my pranks. But more than I, it’s my viewers who I want to entertain with my pranks.
If not pranking people, what would you do?
Well, if not this, maybe I would have been an IT professional at some software firm. Funny thing is it was to escape that very monotony of my work life that I started watching the YouTube prank videos and eventually ended up doing it myself.
When a prank goes wrong, how do you handle it?
A prank can go wrong at any moment, so you need to be prepared at all times. I have been arrested a few times. I have stayed at a police station for a night once, too, after that “Drug Video”. I pushed it too far I guess. A few such incidents prepared me well for the worse. Nowadays, it is quite easy to get out whenever I get caught. Many officers are familiar with the nature of my videos, so they usually warn me before releasing me. But, we do make sure of everyone’s safety while we prank them.
What is the weirdest YouTube comment you have received?
I wouldn’t call it weird but there was a comment that quite touched me. A viewer of mine was having a hard time in life. He wrote the only thing that cheered him up was my videos. He made it a habit to put one of those videos up on his screen whenever he felt sad so that he could cheer up a bit. Reading that comment of his kind of make me happy and proud about my line of work. It was good to know that even the prank videos have a little positive effect on some people.
How did you feel when your YouTube channel amassed 100K subscribers?
It felt great. Plus, the gift from YouTube, the silver play button made it even better. I mean, in Nepal, there are many YouTube channels that have received that silver play button, but most of them belong to big firms. And, I have achieved it as a solo act, which is all the more reason to feel proud and celebrate.
YouTube channels that you regularly follow…
There are a few. Girish Khatiwada, Chhetri rock’, James Shrestha, VitalyzdTv, and RomanAtwood to name a few.
What is your biggest fear?
I don’t really have any fears, but if I am to mention one, it would be accidents.
If you were to become the PM of Nepal, what is the first step that you would take?
If I was to be the PM of Nepal, I would focus on the youth. I have seen people especially the youth taking the wrong turn because of drugs. Drugs, that are not from here, Nepal, but they are being brought to our country from outside.
I am from Jhapa, and I have studied Kakarbita, as in the place and how the things are being imported. So, I would make the border security much tighter, like the ones we have at the airport. I mean both are the places from which people and things come in.
How much do you earn from your YouTube channel?
It actually depends on the views that I receive. I usually get paid Rs 50000 to Rs 60000, and it increases according to the views. I once did the bomb prank, from which earned me 3-lakhs in two months. That was one of my highest earnings.
What do your friends have to say about your YouTube success?
While I was in the starting phase, they thought I wouldn’t make it. But now, that I have accomplished it, they have started supporting and motivating me more. And, I am still trying to do better.
Something about yourself that you would want your fans to know…
On my videos, the person I am is different from the one I really am. Out there, I go up to strangers talk and do my work. But in real life, I am more of a serious guy, always focused on my work. I think about it all the time.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself as a businessman. I want to go through struggles, hardships and build something new in Nepal, which will bring lots of good and productive changes.
What would your happiest moment be like?
I have been following VitalyzdTv for a long, long time. Like I said my inspiration comes from him and his videos. I have been messaging him and hope to hear a reply soon. When he replies me, it would be the happiest moment of my life. I mean everything I did so far was all because of him.
Any parting message to your fans…
Firstly, thanks for supporting me from the beginning till now. The silver play button was all because of the viewers. I want everyone to know that even you can achieve this sort of success, and I certainly encourage everyone to try their hands at this.
