At 22, most Indians worry about life, how their career might shape up, and what to do next. Dharna Durga worries about which posts will resonate with her 300K Instagram followers, and how to balance brand integration with a platform that is about authentic engagement.
In most of her sketch videos and Reels, Durga (@dharnaaaaa) plays characters that might seem familiar: the nosy relative, filmi stepdaughters and bhaiyabhabhis. She knows a cliché when she sees one. Check out Every Bollywood Gossip Video Ever. She plans and shoots her videos at her home in Delhi. They're low-budget, high-impact.
Dharna is like thousands of comic hopefuls online. But she's broken through because her work is straightforward and funny. She finds humour where others don't: Every Beauty Parlour Aunty Ever, Every Chemist Shop Visit, That One Friend On Every Trip, Hair Oil Ads Be Like, Every Lawyer in '90s Bollywood Films, or Every Mom During Diwali. And she's committed to every role.
Take it from the top
Durga was studying at Delhi University when her story really started. Confused about whether to join the dance group or the theatre society, she figured theatre would let her sing, dance and act. "I realised that while I enjoy dancing, I love acting even more," Durga says, enthusiastically. She says everything enthusiastically. It's clear that she's excited about the videos she makes.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is There A Bot In Your Closet?
AI is designing clothes, creating ads, and tracking who's buying what. Relax. We're seeing what it can't do too. Take a look
Sudhir Yaduvanshi
Playback singer, @Sudhir Yaduvanshi Music
Step, step step... and twirl!
Sangeet routines, wedding waltzes, party moves and those hip-hop pops you thought you couldn't do. Here are 10 accounts to keep you on your toes
A timeless story in three parts
Take a closer look at Anjolie Ela Menon's triptych, Yatra. Like life, it demands that the viewer embark on a journey
Hitting that suite spot
Most hotels go all-out with extravagant frills. But to truly shine, all they need to do is pay attention to the everyday details
It's what we've weighted for
Around the world, drugs that suppress appetite are all the rage for weightloss. We've taken to them faster than any diet. Could the war on fat finally be over?
Remote learning
The small-town success story is changing. Distance matters less. The fire burns brighter. Indians are realising that regional quirks are actually an advantage. See how an artist, an actor, a designer, a musician and a hockey champ celebrate their roots
The big Apple of my eye
Bring back the frothy, shiny NYC romcoms where anything was possible. In a world going mad, that dream is all we have
Fit Check? Look Behind You
In gyms, someone is always filming. We are all in the frame without meaning to be. Is privacy at odds with fitness goals? Is consent even possible with all those mirrors?
Avantika Dassani
Actor, @AvantikaDassani
