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Vox pop content is seeing an uptick in India, with creators making conversations on current and social issues fun and funny

- BY NIRMAL JOVIAL

Tanisha Singh was disappointed when Zytus, the first company to visit her campus for placements, rejected her despite clearing six rounds of the process. “I was devastated. It was the first company, and I had no idea how to handle rejection,” recalls the 23-year-old engineer.

Four of her batchmates were hired by Zytus, including her close friend Amit. When she asked him how he had cracked the process, he told her that his HR round was “super easy”. That conversation sparked an idea. “I thought, ‘Why not start asking people how they got placed?’ It could help juniors have a roadmap—how to approach placements, handle rejection and learn from others’ experiences,” says Singh.

But little did she know that she was stepping into the unique domain of ‘vox pop’ content creation, a journey that would not only bring her popularity and brand collaborations, but also make her (@tanyy_) a collector of beautiful human stories.

Vox Pop—short for vox populi, meaning voice of the people in Latin—has a rich history in media, particularly on radio and television. The format became popular on American radio during the 1930s and 1940s. It later transitioned seamlessly onto television. Shows like The Tonight Show, hosted by Steve Allen, popularised the “man on the street” interviews, where random individuals were asked questions on current events or social issues. Vox pops have now become a staple in news reporting and entertainment, often used to illustrate public sentiment on topics ranging from politics to consumer products. And, with the rise of social media and online video platforms, it has evolved further, with creators now producing short videos that compile clips from street interviews or targeted groups, often focusing on specific issues or events relevant to their audience.