From creating relatable comedy skits during quarantine to becoming one of Pakistan’s most recognisable digital creators, Abdul Rehman Asim has built a strong connection with audiences through his sharp observations, effortless humour, and ability to turn everyday moments into entertaining stories. What began as a simple experiment soon evolved into a platform that not only makes people laugh but also sparks conversations around the social behaviours and experiences we often overlook. Making his debut feature with HELLO! Pakistan, Abdul Rehman Asim opens up about his journey from a curious teenager experimenting with content to a creator with a distinct voice and growing influence. In conversation, he reflects on the creative process behind his viral skits, navigating the pressures of social media, using comedy to highlight deeper issues, and his aspirations beyond the digital world. Read on…
Most know you for your comedy, but we'd love to meet the person behind the camera. Tell us about your upbringing, your education, and the side of Abdul Rehman Asim that your audience doesn't always get to see.
I was born and raised in Lahore in a very close-knit family that’s shaped so much of who I am. I recently graduated from Beaconhouse after completing my A Levels, and I’m hoping to pursue a film degree soon because storytelling has always been my biggest passion. I was always a curious kid and, honestly, a little dramatic. I loved performing long before I understood what acting even was. While people mostly know me through social media, I’m naturally much quieter and spend a lot of time observing people, watching films, and thinking about stories. I think that’s where a lot of my creativity comes from. Beyond the content, I’m just someone who’s always trying to learn, create, and tell stories that leave people with something to feel.
Looking back, what made you post that first comedy video? At the time, did you see it as a fun experiment, or did you always believe it had the potential to become something much bigger? Did you ever imagine it would lead to the kind of recognition and love you receive today?
I had always known I wanted to pursue social media. I was certain of that from a very young age. Even before I started making skits, I was constantly experimenting with YouTube and Instagram, although I’d usually end up deleting those videos.
Then, as a curious 15-year-old stuck in quarantine, I found myself incredibly bored and decided to try something new.
It was genuinely just an experiment, and not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would turn into something this big. Looking back, it’s crazy how that one decision completely changed my life.
Your skits feel effortless, but there's clearly a great deal of thought behind them. Walk us through your creative process. How does a simple observation become a finished reel?
Ideas usually come to me at the most random times. Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of a conversation and have to interrupt just to quickly type something into my notes before I forget it. It’s actually very rare for me to sit down and script an entire video.
Most of my content is improvised. I start with an idea, turn the camera on, and let it flow as naturally as possible. I think that’s what makes it feel authentic.
Success online often comes with public scrutiny. How do you maintain perspective when every piece of content is instantly judged?
When you put your work online, you’re opening yourself up to millions of different opinions, and that’s just part of the job. Early on, I definitely took things more personally, but over time I’ve learned to separate genuine feedback from noise. Not every comment deserves your energy. I try not to let praise get to my head or criticism get to my heart. Both are temporary. What keeps me grounded is focusing on why I started creating in the first place and making content that feels authentic to me. As long as I’m growing, learning, and staying true to my voice, I know I’m moving in the right direction.
Has there ever been a video you expected to go viral that didn't or vice versa? If so, what did that experience teach you about your audience?
This happens all the time. You never really know which video is going to take off. Sometimes the content I’ve spent days perfecting won’t perform nearly as well as something I filmed on impulse. I think that’s just the nature of social media and algorithms. They’re impossible to predict. What it has taught me, though, is that my audience connects with authenticity more than perfection. They can tell when something feels genuine, and I’ve learned to trust my instincts instead of trying to chase what I think the algorithm wants.
Humor often reflects the world around us. Are there any social behaviors or everyday stereotypes you intentionally enjoy poking fun at, and why do you think they resonate so strongly?
Growing up, I saw how South Asian women are often subjected to constant scrutiny, sometimes in very obvious ways but often through everyday comments that have become so normalized people don’t even question them. Whether it’s the pressure of the rishta process, comments about their appearance, what they wear, or unrealistic expectations placed on them, it’s something I’ve always noticed. A lot of my humor comes from holding a mirror up to those behaviors.
If I can call out things like misogyny, double standards, or slut-shaming through satire and make people laugh while also making them reflect, then I feel like the comedy has done something meaningful.
Your content makes people laugh in under a minute, but what part of being a creator is the audience least aware of?
I think the biggest misconception is that ideas just keep coming. In reality, one of the hardest parts of being a creator is the pressure to constantly come up with something new.
Once you post one video, you’re already thinking about the next one. There are days when ideas flow effortlessly, and there are days when nothing comes at all, and those are usually the days I’m hardest on myself.
Comedy is incredibly subjective, and what makes one person laugh might not work for someone else. Have you ever held back an idea because you weren't sure how it would be received, or do you believe taking creative risks is part of the process?
I definitely overthink ideas sometimes, especially because comedy is so subjective. There have been moments where I’ve questioned whether something would land or be misunderstood. But I’ve learned that if you spend too much time trying to predict everyone’s reaction, you’ll never end up making anything. Some of the videos I was most unsure about ended up becoming people’s favorites. Taking creative risks is part of the process, and I’d rather make something I’m excited about than play it safe every time.
With digital creators increasingly making the leap into film and television, do you see yourself exploring long-form storytelling, acting, or directing in the future?
Absolutely. Film and acting have always been my biggest passions. I think I’ve been saying I wanted to be an actor since I was a toddler. While social media has given me an incredible platform to tell stories, long-form storytelling has always been the dream.
When the opportunity in film or television comes along, I’d love to explore it. It’s a challenge I’d embrace wholeheartedly.
When people look back at your career years from now, what do you hope they'll remember beyond the laughs?
I hope they remember that, beyond the laughs, I always tried to stand for something. Whether it was calling out misogyny, double standards, or everyday behaviors we’ve normalized, I wanted my work to spark conversations as much as it entertained. If people look back and feel that my content made them laugh while also making them question certain mindsets, I think that would be something I’d be most proud of.
Interview: Safa Adnan
Photos: Courtesy Abdul Rehman Asim