FAISAL SHAIKH aka Mr Faisu as he is known on TikTok speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his latest song, content he is working on and tie-up with WHO

Tell us about yourself.

I am a TikTok star and make videos for the platform in order to change their mindset and have 26 million followers. I also have 11 million followers on Insta. My work is to make videos that will inspire people through content that has a message to it.

I understand that you have started shooting new content. What is it on?

I just completed a song for T-Series YouTube channel — Bewafai, the song has recently been released and has garnered over 16 million views. Then there was another song — Aeroplane — in which I feature. Basically, I either make videos or feature in songs.

What is your group Team 07 about?

First, I would like to say that the No 07 has been lucky for us. This group has been around for six-seven years and has five members. We have great bonding and we work well together and that is why people like the content we post.

What made you take to TikTok?

Usually people take to a social media platform because something happened and they wanted to share that and other stuff. Nothing like this happened with me. Three years back, when I was in college, I used to make content (videos) for Dustmatch since TikTok was not there. We used to do dubbing of 15 seconds for the former. We loved it and people loved it. Then came Musical.ly app. We posted content there as well. Then we started posting content with messages.

Tell us about the videos you have been uploading on COVID-19?

All the messages and videos that we have been doing these days are related to COVID-19. These were related to how to wash one’s hands. This video was in collaboration with WHO — to tell people that they needed to wash their hands for 20 seconds. Then there are other videos that I have posted like save electricity. In this video I am sitting at home and yet all lights are open even though there is good day light. I switch all those lights and then sit to enjoy the bright day outside.

I understand you have been approached by the WHO. What for?

I have some great review and views on Insta. Hence, they approached me to make the hand wash video just as the lockdown had started. I had also made a blog which I have just started where I tell people that one should maintain social distancing even with family and friends.

TikTok has come under a lot of flak recently. Should social media platforms not be used judicially?

It is wrong if people are using social media platforms like TikTok to spread false information about COVID-19. An official maker on Tiktok will tell you why he is making the video and what it is about. He will always give out a positive message.  There are of course, many unofficial makers (who use fake ID and post) on the platform who are promoting wrong things which is so not right.

Almost all celebs have been trolled or roasted on social media. Your take.

Those celebs who are being roasted or trolled, it means that they are getting popular. I too have been trolled and roasted. In fact, the first video that I had posted, I was roasted a lot and that went viral.