From Prajakta Koli to Aashna Shroff, meet HELLO! India's digerati

They are the doyens of dopamine drama on Instagram, YouTube and even good, old Facebook. They influence, entertain, provoke and enlighten a hooked generation. In this ongoing revolution in India’s digital space, content creators, or “influencers,” have disrupted the traditional notions of fame and carved out their own niche, nurturing connections with millions. By blending relatability with aspiration, they’ve artfully transformed consumer behaviour, ignited social change and redefined what it means to be famous in today’s digital age. HELLO! brings you some of India’s top changemakers in the space. 

1. Orry

THE PHENOMENON

You’ll find him at high-profile events, perched beside Bollywood royalty, gracing the front rows of fashion weeks, or at those elusive invite-only soirées that dominate the Page 3 circuit. Both omnipresent and impossible to define—ask 10 people what Orry does, and you’ll likely get 10 different answers. But that’s the charm. Perhaps that’s also the strategy.

“I like to think of myself as the internet’s inside joke,” he tells HELLO!. “The girls who get it—get it. My creative voice? I only have one: playful, flippant and gloriously hollow. I’m not selling skincare. I’m not pushing a podcast. I don’t want your money or your email address. I just live.”

With a social media reach of nearly 2 million users, Orhan Awatramani—better known to the world simply as Orry—has evolved from socialite to digital phenomenon. In an era where attention is currency, Orry doesn’t just participate in the economy, he bends the market.

MASTERING THE MOMENT

Orry’s content blends high fashion, celebrity access and enviable travel in a way that’s intentionally theatrical. His signature handon-chest pose—originally fodder for memes— has since become his digital fingerprint. Whether he’s bestowing blessings on Deepika Padukone’s baby bump or making small talk with Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick, Orry knows how to command a frame.

Then there are the viral catchphrases. “I’m working on myself.” “I’m a liver.” They read like throwaway lines, but they live rent-free on timelines and in comment sections, capturing the kind of bizarre magnetism that makes a cultural moment.

“Takeaway? Sweetheart, I’m not a TED talk,” he deadpans. “There is no takeaway. The point is that there is no point—and isn’t that beautiful?”

INFLUENCE QUOTIENT

With a global fan following, a social media reach of 2 million and an invite to every elite party there is, Orry is geared up for his Bollywood debut with a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

He’s quick to remind you he’s not pushing meaning, only presence. Orry’s Instagram feed is a curated chaos of luxury—Gucci, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton…—all set against backdrops of private yachts and five-star hotels.

“Obviously the clothes find me,” he says.

“They don’t respect my boundaries or calendar.” That slightly unhinged glamour is precisely what makes him a main character in the digital age. His world isn’t about being relatable; it’s about being unreachable—while somehow still making you feel like you’re in on the joke.

DIGITAL DISRUPTOR

Orry’s influence is undeniable. With a large and highly engaged following, his posts generate conversation, curiosity and commentary at a scale that brands have taken note of. His audience, which skews from early 20s to late 40s, aren’t just watching—they’re reacting, reposting and replicating. His relatability, if you can call it that, lies in how he leans into the surreal. While other influencers try to package authenticity, Orry offers something more disarming: absurd honesty.

“People love to misread me. Twist, project or overthink. And honestly? I support them... If delusion brings you joy, who am I to interfere?”

He is, in essence, a commentary on the very culture that created him. And perhaps that’s why he sticks. While most digital personalities seek to explain their value, Orry never feels the need to justify his existence. He simply is—like a walking meme with a PR team.

WHAT’S NEXT?

In just a few years, Orry has shifted from background plus-one to a digital force with agency. His influence is no longer confined to Instagram; he’s now set to make his acting debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War, releasing in March 2026, with Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.

And as for the next evolution? “Sure—you heard it here first,” he says. “I’m launching my first namesake fragrance next month. It’s called Fake News. I hope you enjoy it.” 

He may be tongue-in-cheek, but the impact is real. His ascent is a case study in the power of persona, how a blend of camp, chaos and curated confidence can rewrite the rules of influence.

When asked what he’s most looking forward to next, his answer is, predictably, unpredictable: “New phone case; new me.”

So, is he the main character? The bestdressed guest? Or simply the moment? According to Orry, “I’m everything, everywhere all at once.”

Perhaps that’s what makes him unforgettable.

2. Aashna Shroff 

An influential figure in fashion, beauty and design

DISCOVERING HER ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

“Right from when I started 11 years ago, I’ve always strived to have fun with my style and never stop experimenting. That’s one of the biggest reasons people resonated with my creative voice and also what may have set me apart—I’ve always just been myself. There’s definitely been a lot of growth in my personal style and preferences, but the good thing is, I’m pretty sure my audience has grown with me, as well. So we’re evolving together, and there’s nothing more exciting than that.”

METHOD BEHIND THE MADNESS

“Many people think content creation is easy, that it’s just taking photos and posting them online. Yes, our job has its perks, but it’s still a full-time job. There’s a lot behind the scenes that we don’t always talk about because we love what we do. When people see my work, I simply want them to feel happy and inspired by fashion, beauty and home décor. That’s really it.”

DESIGN & DRESSING UP

“Interior design and home décor have always been my first love. It all kind of ties in with fashion and beauty, whether it’s playing with colour or print, or experimenting, or just thinking out of the box! My mum is actually very creative, and right from when I was a child, she has pushed me to try something different. I use that as a reminder in all creative aspects today.”

THE YEAR AHEAD

“There’s one thing that’s been in the works for a while now, but I’d rather not say too much just yet. That, and 2024 being a more personal year kind of forced me to take a step back with the content I wanted to create. So getting my groove back is the main goal on my agenda for this year!”

3. Prajakta Koli 

YouTuber, author, actor and India’s first UNDP Youth Climate Champion.

FINDING HER CREATIVE VOICE

“As a creator, my journey has evolved every single day, taking new shapes and forms. That’s what I like about it. Right now, my creative voice tells stories that matter to me, that have moved me and make me happy, certain that my audience would enjoy them. If they don’t, I learn from the experience and move on, refining it even more going forward.”

NO ROOM FOR INDIFFERENCE

“People tend to dismiss creators, assuming that fame or followers are easy to come by, but that’s not true. Creativity thrives when it connects with an audience; just because some don’t understand it, it doesn’t mean it lacks value. I’m glad we’re in a place in India where digital platforms are doing so, so well. I deeply respect all creators who work hard and pour love into their art.”

A FINE BALANCE

“We need to find a middle ground between what we enjoy doing and where we feel challenged, while also considering what our audience enjoys. For me, that’s been the goal over the past decade of creating content. I understand that the relationship I have with my audience works for a reason online, so it’s important to tap into that dynamic to make this fun for both sides.”

BOOKS & BEYOND

“I’m obsessed with romance novels! That’s where I go to find my peace. It’s where I go to escape reality every single day. That’s where I go to find inspiration, to keep telling myself why I’ve loved and enjoyed romance so much, growing up. I’m an ardent fan of authors like Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Sue Townsend, Haruki Murakami and Maharani Gayatri Devi.”

INFLUENCE QUOTIENT

A bestselling author with an upcoming series on Amazon Prime who has captured the hearts and minds of 17 million people across platforms.

THE YEAR AHEAD

“This year started off beautifully because my book, Too Good To Be True, was released—and it did a lot better than I had, honestly, expected! Personal milestones were beautiful, as well—I got married a month later! I just finished shooting for a show for Amazon Prime. It’s called Andhera. We’re hoping it will be released sometime this year. I’m also shooting a really fun show for another OTT platform, besides lots of other things I’m not allowed to reveal yet. But I can’t wait to share it with all of you!”

This piece originally appeared in the April-May’25 print edition of HELLO! India