The video, now widely circulating online, has sparked conversations about side hustles abroad, street-selling regulations in the UK, and the challenges faced by Indians trying small business ideas overseas.
Kerala Man Experiments With Instant Photo Business in London
The viral clip was shared by Vishnu Vijayadharan, a 25-year-old from Kerala currently working in London. Alongside his regular 9-to-5 job, Vishnu decided to experiment with a small side business involving instant photography.
In the video, he says, “Let’s see how much money we can make by selling polaroid pictures in London.”
To begin the experiment, Vishnu purchased a Kodak instant camera worth around 110 pounds (approximately ₹14,000). He then headed to a busy street in London and started offering instant photographs to passersby.
Using a handwritten cardboard sign that read “Cute £5 polaroids,” he charged customers 5 pounds (around ₹640) per photograph.
Customers Arrived Within Minutes
According to the video, the response was almost immediate.
Vishnu first photographed a woman customer who appeared delighted after receiving her instant picture. Soon after, another customer approached him for a photograph.
“After two seconds, we got another customer,” he said in the clip.
The quick demand convinced him that the business could potentially become highly profitable in a city like London.
“At that point, I genuinely started thinking we were going to make millions, but our next customer turned out to be the police,” he joked.
Police Interrupt the Street Business
The situation changed quickly when council officers arrived at the location while Vishnu was selling photographs.
He later explained that authorities informed him that selling goods or services on public streets in London requires prior permission from the local council.
“Council officers came to charge us for illegal street selling,” he revealed.
Vishnu admitted he was unaware of the regulations before starting the activity.
“Apparently, we were supposed to take permission from the council to do this, and I had no idea about it,” he added.
Despite the interruption, he still believed the idea had strong earning potential if done legally.
“But if you have permission from the council, you can easily make 100 pounds an hour here,” he claimed.
Before the activity was stopped, Vishnu had managed to earn 10 pounds — approximately ₹1,200.
Social Media Reacts
The viral video has triggered mixed reactions online.
While many users appreciated Vishnu’s creativity and entrepreneurial mindset, others pointed out the importance of understanding local laws while living abroad.
“That is why visa rules are getting tougher because of you people… just don’t treat every country like India,” one user commented.
Another user criticized the strict regulations, writing, “Too many rules in the UK.”
As the clip continues trending online, discussions around side hustles, extra income opportunities, and street business regulations overseas remain a hot topic across social media platforms.
.png?w=600)
