"When I stop making videos someday, I want people to remember me as a nice guy off-screen too," says Irfan Junejo, a well-known Pakistani Youtuber.

From his beginnings as a shy footballer in Karachi to becoming a YouTube sensation, Junejo’s journey has been about authenticity and staying true to himself. Known for his cinematic vlogs and introspective storytelling, he has built a loyal following of over 1.46 million subscribers (as of July 2025).

Once a shy teenager who barely spoke off the football field, Irfan Junejo gradually found comfort behind the camera — a space that didn’t talk back, where he could fully be himself. Drawn in by football ads from brands like Nike, Adidas and football clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, he developed an early fascination with visual storytelling. Around 2010, he bought his first camera and began experimenting with short films. He also posted playful Snapchat stories, blending his love for editing and photography — a style his friends noticed and encouraged him to explore further. What started as casual, fun edits soon evolved into a more intentional form of expression, allowing him to explore filmmaking, photography, and other creative directions on his own terms.

Junejo’s vlogs gained popularity not only because people related to his personal story but also because the vlogs tapped into something deeper — a universal sense of homesickness. He was surprised to discover that viewers from all over the world, whether or not they shared his background, found something in his content that connected with them emotionally. His videos went viral not just for his own journey, but for the way they evoked a sense of home — no matter where that home might be.

While many might assume Junejo is trying to showcase an idealized version of Pakistan, he has always been committed to presenting its reality — highlighting both its beauty and its complexities. He often expresses his love for Karachi, calling it the best city in the world, while also addressing its flaws through grounded, everyday observations.

“I have never tried to portray a perfect image of Pakistan — only a real one.”

— Irfan Junejo, Pakistani Youtuber

With millions of views on YouTube, Junejo has become a familiar name in Pakistan’s digital space, but he doesn’t consider himself an “influencer” in the traditional sense. For him, content creation is about connecting with his audience through meaningful stories, not promoting brands. He is selective about the companies he partners with, often turning down products that don’t align with his values or feel inauthentic. Junejo believes that many brands focus too heavily on metrics like reach and views, while overlooking the more intangible, yet arguably more impactful aspects of influence: trust, relatability, and the ability to inspire genuine engagement. In his view, creators shouldn’t be treated as digital billboards; they build communities, spark conversations, and often cultivate a level of fandom that can’t be measured by numbers alone. To him, creators aren’t just tools for reach — they’re storytellers with the power to connect on a personal level.

The principles that guide Junejo’s work today were shaped gradually, through the influence of mentors he’s looked up to over the years. He credits his former football coach Ammar Shareef — who has been a guiding presence since his early teens — with instilling discipline, humility, and character during his formative years. Junejo also points to German director Solomon Ligthelm, who influenced his visual language and aesthetic. He recalls a piece of advice from Asad Shehzad, a teacher at IoBM, who told him that to be remembered or looked up to, you need to surround yourself with great creative minds — and that the easiest way to do that is through books. That idea sparked Junejo’s interest in reading and marked the start of a habit that has stayed with him since.

That same curiosity and willingness to grow now shape the advice Junejo offers to aspiring creators. He believes that it is natural to begin by learning from others — even imitating their style at first — as long as it eventually leads to discovering your own voice. He admits his earlier vlogs weren’t perfect, but embracing those imperfections helped him grow more confident in his work. As the saying goes: “Done is better than perfect.”

Do you watch Irfan Junejo’s videos? Which of his vlogs resonate with you the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.