Ganesh Devkota: Nepal’s YouTube sensation

At just 21, Ganesh Devkota, popularly known as GanEsH GD on YouTube, has made a name for himself in the digital world. Hailing from the picturesque but remote village of Mugu, near the pristine Rara Lake, Ganesh’s journey to fame is a story of resilience, passion, and innovation.

Despite Mugu’s unreliable internet and lack of technological advancements, technology found a foothold in his home, thanks to his father’s fascination with electronic gadgets like mobile phones and laptops. “My family, especially my father, had a keen interest in electronic technologies,” says Ganesh. “Even as a child, I used to make videos of my friends on my Nokia phone.” This early exposure to technology sparked a curiosity and creativity that would later define his career.

Ganesh’s foray into the digital world started in grade eight when he discovered YouTube. He was captivated by the platform’s potential, drawing inspiration from Indian YouTubers and their diverse content. One particular video, titled ‘Top Five Ways to Earn Money’ caught his interest. He became intrigued by the idea of earning through YouTube. Fueled by this, he launched his own technical channel, emulating the style and success of Indian tech creators.

However, even after uploading over a 100 videos, he found himself struggling to gain traction on YouTube. “I hardly got any response,” he says. Determined not to give up, he turned to Indian YouTubers for inspiration once again. Their success in comedy sparked a new idea, leading him to experiment with humor. This shift in focus gave birth to his channel, GD Vines, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his YouTube journey.

One of his early videos garnered over 20,000 views in a single day—a milestone that marked his arrival as a content creator. However, his journey was far from smooth. The excitement was short-lived when his channel was hacked. “It felt like my world had ended,” he says. Then he started another channel, GanEsh GD.

With the new channel, Ganesh shifted his focus entirely to comedy and entertainment, tapping into his natural talents and interests. Drawing inspiration from Indian YouTube creators, he found his space in this genre. His big break came with the success of his video ‘15-Year-Old Boy in Britain Got Talent’ which amassed over 50,000 views within the first 24 hours.

“For me, that was when my YouTube journey officially started,” he says. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, he began uploading comedy videos consistently, day after day, cementing his reputation as a rising star in the digital entertainment space.

But his road to success has been anything but smooth. His YouTube channel was hacked four times, with some incidents leaving him locked out for an entire week. “Those were the hardest times,” he says. “I had no clue whether I would get access to my channel again.” The recovery process with YouTube was slow and frustrating, often taking up to 20 days.

To make matters worse, even after regaining access, the channel would sometimes reset as if it were brand new, erasing its progress. Yet, Ganesh refused to be defeated. “I didn’t let that pull me down,” he says. “I kept uploading content.”

At just 15 years old, Ganesh became Nepal’s youngest YouTuber to receive YouTube’s prestigious silver play button, an award for creators who surpass 100,000 subscribers. For him, it was a career-defining moment and a source of immense pride. His next goal is to achieve the golden play button from YouTube.

While most of his fans recognize him for his humorous and relatable comedy sketches, Ganesh’s passion for filmmaking has led him to experiment with short films as well. Observing his audience’s growing interest in these cinematic ventures, he saw an opportunity to delve deeper into storytelling.

Through his platform, he uses short films to shed light on the hidden stories of Nepal’s villages—tales that often remain untold. By exploring the vibrant yet challenging realities of rural life, he brings authentic narratives to his audience, blending entertainment with cultural insight.

Audience feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping Ganesh’s content. “I look at the comment section the most,” he says. “My supporters will always say nice things, but it’s the critics, sometimes even the haters, who are the most honest.”

Rather than being disheartened by negative comments, Ganesh embraces them as opportunities for growth. “I try to take them positively and work on the points they raise. These comments and reviews are what teach me to improve myself and my work.” 

While his comedy videos have a loyal audience, his experiments in other genres have not always had the same following. His short horror film DOLL-E fell short of his expectations and the lukewarm response left him disheartened. 

“I was sad that all my efforts had gone to waste,” he says. But then he reminded himself that not every project will succeed and that sometimes things won’t go as planned. With this mindset, he turned the setback into a learning experience, motivating himself to improve, explore new ideas, and push the boundaries of his creativity.

It has been nearly eight years since Ganesh embarked on his YouTube journey, a path marked by both triumphs and challenges. Reflecting on his journey he says, “I might just be one of the last YouTubers standing.” This observation stems from the increasing shift towards shorter content like reels, which has led to a decline in the number of active YouTubers in Nepal. Ganesh believes that achieving success on YouTube has become difficult over time, contributing to the growing popularity of shorter formats.

Ganesh plans to focus more on filmmaking in the next five years, with the goal of transitioning into Nepali cinema. With a deep passion for filmmaking, he hopes to experiment with new genres, such as sci-fi, and aims to inspire Nepali audiences to embrace a wider variety of storytelling. But he will never give up on YouTube, he says. He is determined to use the platform to make an impact in the society by producing relevant content that addresses various social issues in Nepal.