Mumbai: It is always heartwarming to see somebody create new footprints on the road to success and their life journey then becomes an enchanting tale for the next one striving to make it big. Sudhanshu Rai, storyteller, actor and filmmaker, is an affable name in such a list of people. Wearing multiple hats, what is even more amusing is the fact that he has created a place in people’s heart. A top Indian storyteller who can weave magic with his words, Sudhanshu Rai hypnotises you with the picture that he creates with his words and voice, a talent that has won him the title of India’s favourite storyteller. His live storytelling shows are widely considered as an excellent activity to entertain and engage creative minds, across schools, colleges, corporates as well as PSUs. Counted amongst the very few live storytellers of the country, he made a mark in a field where one can count on fingers the number of people who have succeeded.

Hailing from a small village in Gorakhpur, Sudhanshu’s early childhood was seeped in dusty lanes where he lived the beautiful life, away from the madness of big cities. As a child, he loved watching the classic 90s animation show Jungle Book and then narrated tales to his friends. Telling them the ‘hidden truth’ that he is in fact Bagheera from the show and takes on human form during the day, the friends would listen in astonishment, without blinking their eyes. Such was his conviction that not for a second did anybody not believe him.

With time he moved to Delhi for higher education and pursue his career. During his initial professional stints, he happened to work in the media, including as an RJ in radio, which made him well versed with the nuances of the audio format of media & entertainment. Subsequently driven by his spirit, he went on to take the entrepreneurial plunge and established a PR company, and at some point it appeared that the storyteller within had lost his way amid the hustles of life.

But who can ignore a calling that comes from within? It was nearly six years ago when Sudhanshu decided to take up storytelling formally, and eventually launched his official YouTube channel where he would release his stories regularly. While initially his inspirational and motivational stories like Amber, Mangu Chitrkaar and Adhyapak Ram were liked by all, he soon became a sensation for mystery, thriller, sci-fi, horror and detective stories. Detective Boomrah, a character conceived by him, is widely considered to have revived the genre of detective storytelling. Some of his most captivating stories include The Killer, Sylvester’s Cottage, The Missing Mr Kwatrochi, The Possessed etc are enough to ravel you into a mystery or send chills down the spine. Besides, characters created by him, like Detective Boomrah and Doctor Shekhawat, have a fan following of their own.

After getting established as one of India’s most renowned storytellers across channels including YouTube and social media, podcast streaming platforms, FM Radio etc, he took another leap of faith with his acting and directorial debut Chaipatti, a horror comedy loved for its unique concept. He then brought Detective Boomrah to screen where he played the title character. On a roll since then, he was also seen in Chintaa Mani. While the storyteller-actor is now set to be next seen in a sci-fi thriller feature film, which would mark the on-screen debut of Doctor Shekhawat too, the storyteller in him is unstoppable as he narrates tale after tale with enchanting conviction. The medium may change but the love for storytelling shall not.