Covid-19: Dhanush look-alike spreads awareness on TikTok

When he left his job with an IT firm in March, little did M Selvakumar know that he would be a TikTok star spreading awareness among people using his likeness to actor Dhanush. Selvakumar has so far released more than 100 TikTok videos, mostly on how to stay safe during lockdown and reduce the spread of Covid-19. With two lakh followers in a short span of time, the videos of this 30-year-old create awareness among people about 'social-distancing' and also give tips on how to handle lockdown blues.
“I had left my job before the lockdown started.I got struck, but I started making TikTok videos using my likeness to actor Dhanush. The videos evoked tremendous response among people, particularly youngsters. I soon realised that I can create awareness among people about things to be followed to reduce the spread of Covid-19,” said Selvakumar (@nellaichella). And that's how it all started.
TikTok is a social networking site where users can create and upload videos where they sing, dance, talk or lip-lynch. “A video without fun will be boring. If you can convey the same message with some fun, people will like it. It will hit the target. And that’s what I am doing now,” he said.
Selvakumar has released at least 100 TikTok videos so far. Besides Covid-19 and lockdown, subjects like work from home, stress, exam cancellation and overuse of mobile phones have become topics for him. “The pandemic has drastically changed the way we live. There are many new issues, mental as well as physical, that we face due to lockdown. I address these issues through my videos by providing the message of hope,” he said.
The migration of guest workers, according to Selvakumar, saddened him a lot. “I heard some people telling them (guest workers) not to return if they leave the city. It was unfair. Don’t you leave a burning house? You will. I have released many videos in response to some people’s attitude towards guest workers,” he said. When locust attacks were reported in India, he even released a video titled ‘Vettukili’.
Being a look-alike of Dhanush, however, helped. “Yes, I am a look-alike of Dhanush and it helped me gain acceptance quickly among the audience. I will be coming up with more insightful videos to overcome the pandemic blues,” said the 30-year-old.