For someone who has spent most of his life in Mumbai, Varun Nair talks about Kerala like someone who never really left. His content is filled with temple visits, Malayali quirks, childhood nostalgia, and the small cultural moments that instantly connect with Malayalis living both inside and outside the state.
Born in Ottapalam and raised in Mumbai from the age of nine, Varun grew up between two worlds. Mumbai shaped his education, career, and daily life, while Kerala remained the place that grounded him. That tension between the two is exactly what makes his content resonate so strongly with the Malayali diaspora.
Working With Ashish Chanchlani Before Going Solo
Long before he became the face on the screen, Varun spent time learning how content creation worked behind the scenes. During his 11th and 12th grade, he joined the team of Ashish Chanchlani, one of India’s biggest YouTubers with tens of millions of subscribers. Working closely with Chanchlani’s crew gave Varun a front-row view of how large-scale digital content gets made, like the strategy, the production rhythm, and the audience dynamics.
“That’s how I started,” he says. “I got to see content creation from the inside.”
After which, he studied Mass Media in Mumbai. Later, he moved into the music industry, managing artists and projects for a Chennai-based music company. It was a stable career path, but the pull toward creative work never went away. Recently, he quit his job to focus on content creation full-time.
Also Read: This Malayali Founder Built C’s The World, a Series of Geography Games for All Ages
From TikTok to Finding His Audience
Varun first started making videos during the TikTok era, creating content across a range of topics. When TikTok was banned in India, and one of his Instagram accounts later got shadowbanned, he found himself having to rebuild from scratch.
Rather than chase trends, he decided to focus on something he genuinely cared about. “I always wanted to create something related to South Indian culture because I love our culture,” he says. “I feel very connected to South Indian traditional content.”
The pivot paid off almost immediately. One of the first reels he made after that decision was shot at Guruvayur. This video crossed nearly four million views and helped him find the audience he had been looking for. “It really helped me connect with more Malayali audiences,” he says.
Why Guruvayur Temple Means So Much to Varun Nair
The success of that Guruvayur reel was not coincidental. Even though Mumbai city would shape much of his life, Kerala never stopped feeling like home, and Guruvayur sits at the centre of that connection.
Whenever he returns to Kerala, this is one place he visits first. “I have a connection with Guruvayur Temple because my grandfather worked there. Whenever I come to Kerala, that’s usually the first place I visit.”
On Call With Me: The Mental Health Series That Grew Into Something Bigger
While most followers know Varun for his cultural content, he runs a second, more personal strand of work that is equally important to him.
A few years ago, he launched On Call With Me, a series in which he speaks directly to viewers who may be struggling emotionally. Episodes cover themes like loneliness, self-doubt, and the quiet difficulties that don’t always get talked about, particularly relevant for young Malayalis living away from home. The idea came from his own experience of watching creators during difficult moments.
“There was a creator whose videos really helped me whenever I felt low,” he says. “I wanted to create something similar and be there virtually for someone who might be struggling.”
The series grew to more than 30 episodes and has become one of the most personal projects Varun has worked on. For many viewers, it sits alongside his cultural content as a reason to keep following him.
Also Read: Feet Picks: How a Kochi Founder Turned a Missing Socks Problem Into a Quirky Business
What Comes Next: Moving to Kochi
The next chapter may begin in Kerala itself. Varun is currently preparing to move to Kochi, a city that has become one of India’s most active creative hubs and home to a growing number of digital creators, production studios, and cultural projects.
For someone whose content has largely been about looking at Kerala from a distance, the move could open up a new set of stories and perspectives. Being on the ground, embedded in the culture he has always filmed from afar, is likely to change the nature of his work in ways that are hard to predict.
For now, his goal is to “connect with what [he] creates.”
FAQs
Who is Varun Nair?
Varun Nair is a Mumbai-based Malayali content creator known for videos about Kerala culture, traditions, nostalgia and community. Born in Ottapalam and raised in Mumbai, his content often reflects his connection to both places.
Why is Varun Nair popular among Malayali audiences?
Varun’s content focuses on Kerala culture, temple visits, childhood memories and everyday Malayali experiences. His Guruvayur Temple reel, which received millions of views, helped him connect with a wider Malayali audience.
Did Varun Nair work with Ashish Chanchlani?
Yes. Before becoming a full-time creator, Varun worked with the team of YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani, where he learned the behind-the-scenes aspects of content creation and digital storytelling.
What is On Call With Me?
On Call With Me is a content series created by Varun Nair that focuses on mental health, loneliness and emotional well-being. The series was inspired by creators who helped him during difficult periods in his own life.
