The endlessly reappearing Reels and TikToks of a guy on the subway, holding a credit card taped to a mic and asking strangers oddly deep questions? That is not just viral chaos; that is Subway Takes, created by Kareem Rahma. The series looks casual and improvised, but Rahma recently explained that it grew out of a very deliberate bet on short-form storytelling.

Talking on Colin and Samir, Kareem Rahma said the idea came when his company was nearly out of money.

“We have like 7000$ left in the bank account… Andrew was like do you have any Hail Mary ideas?” That moment forced him to rethink everything about the traditional podcast model they were chasing. Every conversation with advisers pointed in the same direction: make a long podcast, then cut it into clips to promote it.

Rahma started questioning that logic, especially when most viewers never make it past the clips themselves. Instead of treating short-form as marketing, he wondered if it could be the entire product. He landed on a simple but radical idea.

“I was like, the big idea is that there is no long-form. The show is the clips,” he said. That shift became the foundation of Subway Takes, where each 30 to 60-second interaction functions as a complete story.

From the lo-fi MetroCard mic to the unpredictable subway setting, every element is designed to make each clip stand on its own on Subway Takes. There is no hidden full episode waiting elsewhere, just tightly crafted micro-stories built for the feed.

That philosophy also shapes how Rahma sees his place in the broader entertainment industry.

Kareem Rahma wants Subway Takes recognized as television

Kareem Rahma is not content being known only as a viral internet personality. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, he made it clear that he wants Subway Takes to be treated like television. He is submitting the series for Emmy consideration, aiming for recognition in the Outstanding Short-Form Series and performer categories.

He draws a sharp line between creator culture and what he sees himself doing.

“I’m in the entertainment industry. I’m not a creator, I’m not an influencer, I’m an entertainer.” That perspective influences everything from how he selects guests to how the show is produced. Rahma still personally books people based on curiosity rather than follower counts.

By aiming for Emmy recognition instead of digital-first awards, Rahma is challenging the hierarchy that places short-form content below traditional television. He is making the case that storytelling craft does not disappear just because it lives on a phone screen. If Subway Takes crosses into that space, it could signal a broader shift in how the industry values internet-native formats.

What do you think of Kareem Rahma's founding thought behind Subway Takes? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Adiba Nizami