GRAZIA Cool LIST 2020

They say it’s never too early to do something remarkable. And, as we enter a new decade, we present to you a multi-talented bunch of achievers: A diverse, creative, passionate group who will make you sit up and take notice.

- TANYA MEHTA, BARRY RODGERS

BHUVAN BAM

When YouTuber Bhuvan Bam steps out of his house, even in the sweltering summer heat, he wears a hoodie to disguise himself. Over 15 million people subscribe to the 25-year-old’s YouTube channel, BB Ki Vines, and Bam is regularly accosted by teen fans. But, four years ago, the story was different – he was a college kid who had a night job as a singer at a Mughlai restaurant in Delhi. Fast forward to 2020, and Bam is the king of digital content. Besides putting out funny videos, he has also established himself as a singer, actor and an interviewer. He even collaborated with international YouTube star Lilly Singh and acted in a short film with Divya Dutta, called Plus-Minus last year, and recently bagged a Filmfare award for the same. “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster ride for me so far. I’ve enjoyed success, and had my fair share of disappointments, too. In the beginning, I was lucky if my videos got maybe 15 views. But nothing stopped me from creating more content. From college WhatsApp groups, my videos travelled to other colleges, and I don’t know how, but I suddenly became very popular in Karachi University. My videos went viral in Pakistan and Bangladesh, but, funnily enough, not in India. It took a lot of time for people to warm up to my videos here,” he says.

Bam believes that it’s only going to get bigger and better from here, but doesn’t discount the fact that he could quickly become yesterday’s news, given the current digital consumption patterns. “I could become irrelevant tomorrow, so, I want to master all that I can,” he says.

What’s your biggest social media pet peeve?

Honeymoon pictures. Fine, you’re married – congratulations! But, I don’t want to see 36 honeymoon pictures in Bali.

Bhuvan is wearing the ‘Fast RIDER OG’ sneakers from Puma