Isuru Ranaweera : A Journey of Passion and Purpose
Meet Isuru Ranaweera, affectionately known as “Doctor Aiya” to his loyal fans. With a captivating charm and a heart full of dedication, Isuru has become a beloved figure in the YouTube community.
In an exclusive interview, Isuru shares insights into his upbringing, passions, and aspirations, offering a glimpse into the person behind the camera lens.
Can you share a bit about your background and upbringing? How do you think your upbringing has influenced your content creation journey?
I come from Kandy, born and raised in a beautiful village in Peradeniya area. I studied at Kingswood College from Primary up to my ALs and then at the University of Peradeniya where I studied Psychology, French, and English for my Bachelor’s, and later did a Master’s in International Relations. My childhood was simple, surrounded by friends and scenic views. Now, on my YouTube journey, I find my upbringing plays a big role. Living among different social layers from a young age gave me a real understanding of people. I try to contribute to our videos from my personal life experiences.
What do you enjoy most about being a content creator, and what keeps you motivated to continue creating?
What I enjoy the most is the love I get from the people. It’s such a wonderful thing to feel loved by people who you have never met in your life before. I humbly thank all our fans for that love. It encourages us to make more content.
Outside of YouTube, what are some of your interests and hobbies? How do these interests contribute to or inspire your content?
I love teaching languages. I teach both French and English. On my weekends, I play my all-time favorite video game; Age of Mythology. If time permits, I also enjoy visiting my friends and cousins. They are my stress relievers. Sometimes they suggest awesome content creation ideas too.
Are there any particular life experiences or personal stories that have had a significant impact on your journey as a content creator?
Every day is a new adventure with my bunch of friends. Going on the Hanthana trip to do the “Hike Eka” video made a significant impact on my YouTube journey because that is when I discovered my passion for content creation. It was super fun and it was a great experience. We realized that we could work as one awesome team.
Can you tell us about your support system, whether it’s friends, family, or mentors, and how they’ve helped you along your YouTube journey?
I think it’s mostly my friends. Their guidance and suggestions helped me improve myself. I always appreciate third-person points of view as they can see the bigger picture. And most of the time, their ideas were very good. I take what is best from all opinions.
Have you faced any personal challenges or setbacks in your life or career, and how have you navigated through them?
Yes. Right after I graduated from the university I struggled so much to find out what my passion is. I wanted to find a career I could enjoy. I explored different opportunities and finally realized my potential. I founded a business of my own in the tourism industry and I work as an educator in a youth empowerment initiative. Now I know where I stand and where I want to be.
Are there any causes or issues that you’re particularly passionate about, either within your content or in your personal life?
Ever Since my childhood, I have been passionate about community development. I take a special interest in youth empowerment and sustainable development. Maybe it’s my degree that is driving me towards this cause. I have initiated many social services so far, and I hope to continue doing so.
How do you balance your YouTube career with your personal life and other commitments?
Our team members know the value of time. If we meet to make a video, we don’t loiter around wasting time. We come prepared. When we work, we work hard. When we party, we party hard.
Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your time as a content creator that has left a lasting impression on you?
Getting nominated for the Youtube Popular Awards was such a memorable moment for me.
Looking ahead, what are some personal goals or aspirations you have for the future, both within and outside of YouTube?
I think we will reach another milestone in our YouTube career quite soon thanks to our growing fanbase. Other than that, I would like to see myself empowering more and more youth. I am also planning on doing another Master’s.
As we conclude our exploration of Isuru Ranaweera’s inspiring journey, we send our warmest wishes his way. May “Doctor Aiya” continue to charm and delight audiences worldwide with his talent and passion. Here’s to many more adventures and successes ahead!