If there's one thing to love about YouTuber Subhalaxmi Parida's videos, it's the fact that anyone can relate to it. Whether it's everyone going ga-ga over the recent royal wedding, how every Indian mother reacts before going on a trip or common things that students do after a Board exam, Subhalaxmi's videos are all about mundane, everyday life issues, with a hilarious twist, of course. Watching her channel The Cheeky DNA will make any Indian kid go, 'Been there, done that'.
The 20-year-old graduate from Madras Christian College, Chennai always knew she had a funny bone. But she never imagined having her own channel. While in college, she was even a little depressed because she didn't get to do Medicine. But when she came across comedians like Lilly Singh, she instantly felt a connection. She wanted to do the same too. That's when she decided to start her own channel. "We live in a very judgemental place where we are judged even if we express our opinions. I grew up in a small town where even talking to boys or laughing in public was considered wrong. But I was okay with it and people judged me for that. Watching these comedians, I felt relieved that there are people who could express their opinions and even have others agree with them. I realised I wasn't wrong in thinking that there are others like me. That's why I could connect with them," says Subhalaxmi.
So, she started The Cheeky DNA in January 2017 and since then, she's put up about 75 videos. But that doesn't mean it's all sunshine and blue skies. "It is difficult sometimes. Since everyone is being creative, thinking of absolutely new ideas is a bit of a challenge. If I come up with something and there's already something similar out there, I'll be accused of copying. But I enjoy the process, so I keep working at it. Sometimes, you get a new perspective on the same thing. Like every other job, you need to keep thinking, keep observing and keep working," she says.
When asked what kind of videos she enjoys making the most, she says, "I love personifying objects. In most of my videos, there's a part where an object speaks. I like to look at things from a different perspective." The channel had become popular in the last year and a half with close to 43,000 subscribers. But like every other comedian, she's receives criticism too. "People are usually positive. But some don't like looking at my face because I don't fit their standard of beauty. I've also been objectified at times. I don't care. I'm actually happy when I don't look my best in front of the camera and people still watch me," she adds cheekily.
