Social media influencer Sohail Shaikh recalls his encounters with celebrities

Social media influencer and model Sohail Shaikh is known for his concept-based videos, parodies as well as comic videos. While his fans love him for his work, he also shares a great rapport with other celebrities. He interacts with a lot of popular actors during the promotions of their upcoming projects. “I have worked with everyone as we often collaborate to promote their films and songs, as I am an influencer. We have made videos and promoted their work on social media platforms,” says Sohail, who has worked with celebrities such as Hrithik Roshan, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Hina Khan, Nora Fatehi, Riteish Deshmukh and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

However, working with celebrities can be quite overwhelming, especially when you are a newcomer. Talking about working with a celebrity for the first time, Sohail says, “I remember my first interaction with a celebrity clearly. I had to meet Milind Gabba. I was a bit nervous because it was my first time to but it went off really well. Then, I had a chance to shoot with Hrithik Roshan sir. I was very excited because I was getting to work with someone who I love watching on screen. He was very kind and listened to my concept and we shot. I felt so lucky that I was the one who got a chance to shoot alone with Hrithik sir. The rest of the influencers there made a video in a group with him.”

Sohail says he also enjoyed working with actor Neil Nitin Mukesh. “He is a very sweet person and I never felt that he is a celebrity. We had a great time while shooting,” he says.

In fact, he says that while working with celebrities, they often add their own nuances to the content which makes the video better. “I have made a comedy video with Nawazuddin sir. My concept had a little comedy but sir added so many things which I was not expecting. I was expecting 10% of him and he gave me 100%. That was a great experience,” he says.

It is no hidden secret that celebrities often come late to sets and some of them even have airs about themselves. Sohail admits that this is true for some of the celebrities who he has worked with. “Some of them are on time which I feel is good like as they are superstars but still they are on time. But, yes, some celebrities are always very late and they have different demands,” he says.

Ask who was the sweetest celebrity out of the ones he has worked with, and he promptly replies, “Nora Fatehi! She is the sweetest and cutest among all of them. We met twice. She had come up with the concept and the video was completely shot in her style.”

He adds, “I also loved working with Riteish Deshmukh sir. For him, there are so many good things to say. He is a very down-to-earth person. When I met him first time, he recognised me. I was amazed to know that he had seen my videos even he know that I had a huge event in Latur, which happens to be his hometown. That was a proud moment for me.”