20 Questions with Pulkit Kochar

His Instagram bio is: “Bollywood hi meri dulhan hai. Comedy meri girlfriend hai. Main 2 shadiyan karunga. I think.” (Bollywood is my bride. Comedy is my girlfriend. I think I will marry twice.) Writer, stand-up comedian, and most of all, a lover of Bollywood, Pulkit Kochar is best known for his Bollywood-centric content on Instagram. After working with companies like East India Comedy, FilterCopy and Netflix, Kochar started making content of his own last year. In his videos, Kochar makes interesting observations and tongue-in-cheek jokes about the world of Bollywood films and music in his popular series ‘Bollywood Ke Meta Moments.’ Film Companion had a quick chat with Kochar about his favourite filmy moments, his biggest influences and finding his voice as a content creator.

Here are edited excerpts from the interview:

When did you join Instagram?

2014. I was in school, and I just uploaded a cool photo with my friends.

What was the last good movie you watched?

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). I really liked it because Karan Johar used a mainstream movie to speak about gender roles and patriarchy; how it trickles down the family and affects every single person.

What’s your favourite film-related meme?

I think Welcome (2007) is my favourite movie to pick out memes from. My all-time favourite is “Seh lenge thoda” (We’ll just tolerate it) which is my reaction to everything that happens to me in life.

What is your favourite #BollywoodKaMetaMoment?

My favourite movie for meta moments is Om Shanti Om (2007) because it is full of easter eggs. But the first ever episode I made is my favourite — I pointed out that in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani's (2000) title track, Shah Rukh Khan wears outfits from his last six movies, including Pardes (1997), Koyla (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Baadshah (1999). He’s doing his iconic Shah Rukh pose, while the lyrics say “Kabhi naye packet mein bechein tumko cheez puraani” (We’ll sell you the same product in a new packet.) The fact that he’s self-aware about how he does the same pose in all his films is such clever detailing for one line in a music video, I love it.

Who is your all-time favourite director?

Hrishikesh Mukherjee. I had only seen Anand (1971) on OTT. But last year on Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday, they re-released 11 of his movies in theatres, and I ended up watching three by Hrishikesh Mukherjee — Abhimaan (1973), Mili (1975) and Chupke Chupke (1975) back-to-back. 

Who is the most famous person in your DMs?

I think the sweetest thing a famous person has said to me was Dhruv Sehgal, the creator of Little Things on Netflix. He messaged me during the pandemic and said, “Bro, I love your videos. I’m always scrolling through them at night, and your humour seems like, yeh toh apna hi banda hai.” (He’s just one of us)

Who do you want to work with next?

Like most people in the industry, I hope I get to work with Shah Rukh Khan one day. That’s the dream. 

What is your comfort film?

Wake Up Sid (2009). I’m not a Bombay boy — I'm originally from Punjab — so I relate to Konkona’s character as an outsider moving to the big city. I wanted to decorate my room like Aisha does in the film, but my landlord wouldn’t allow me to paint the walls! 

What is a film that deeply influenced you?

I was in 9th standard when 3 Idiots (2009) came out. That film really inspired me to follow my passion and do what I love.

What is your all-time favourite movie soundtrack?

Growing up, it was Rockstar (2011). There was a phase when I would listen to one song for a week, get over it and then move on to the next song on the album. I love it to the point where I would measure time with it, like — my shower will be as long as ‘Kun Faya Kun’.

What is your go-to karaoke song?

‘O Jaana Na Jaana’ from Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998). My father loves singing, and we have a karaoke system at home. He sings Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi songs, while I sing late Nineties and early 2000s songs by Kumar Sanu and Sonu Nigam. So that’s where the love for that song comes from.

How long can you go without checking your phone?

It’s shameful, but one minute.

Who’s your ultimate party guest?

I think Ranveer Singh would be very fun to have at any party, particularly because he shares my love for Bollywood.

What’s the last rabbit-hole you went down?

I’m constantly going down rabbit-holes on YouTube. I watch one video and then related, related, related. One day it’s ten-hour-long videos of silence occasionally broken by Windows XP sounds, and the other it’s JusReign Vine compilations. 

One moment you were really star-struck.

I was washing my hands in the bathroom at the Netflix office when I saw Anil Kapoor washing his hands next to me. I thought it would be awkward to say hi to him in the bathroom. Later, my friend and I went up to him to request a photo, and he was like, “I would’ve been offended if you didn’t want a photo!”

What does your perfect day look like?

If I finish all my household chores by the first half of the day, I feel sorted. And if I’m able to sit down and work for two hours straight without getting distracted or checking my phone, that’s a perfect day for me.

Who’s your favourite content creator at the moment?

There are so many. My all-time favourite is @surroorgasm. I admire his work. He’s the one who started making content around Bollywood on Instagram, and made it cool back in 2019-20. It started as a Himesh Reshammiya fanpage, and now it’s all about Bollywood music appreciation. 

Something you’ve created that you’re proudest of.

Last year I made a video making fun of the people who were calling to boycott Bollywood. It was a subtle political statement from my side. That was when I really found my voice as a content creator and Bollywood-lover on the internet.

What do you want people to remember about you?

I want people to have a smile on their face every time they see my content. As a child, I had no idea what I wanted to do in life. But when my teacher asked me what I wanted to do, I said, “I want to entertain people in whatever way I can.”

Describe your social media in one word.

Dhamakedar.