The internet is such a powerful medium that it is difficult to imagine a time before social media now. Unlike the time when the discovery of talents was limited to auditions, word of mouth or your resume, the current generation gets discovered on Instagram and YouTube. Social media, today, has the power to change anybody’s life overnight.
With young talents using social media as a platform to spread their talent, it has become easier for people in position and viewers to spot the right contender for fame. Much like Justin Beiber and Shawn Mendes, Indians and people from all around the world are also making their voice heard through Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
The best part – social media platforms are so versatile that regardless of his or her age, one can get famous for multiple reasons including melodious voice, entertaining dance, great artwork, mouthwatering food or good looks.
Here are a few people who got famous after being discovered on social media
Not everyone on social media is looking for fame while sharing their work. Some just do it for their peace of mind. Some get captured by others. Check out the list of people who found fame on the Internet even when they weren’t looking for it.
Ranu Mondal
Himesh Reshammiya’s latest favourite Ranu Mondal, an Indian singer who used to beg for a living, was discovered by Atindra Chakraborty at Ranaghat Junction railway station. The videos of her while singing on various platforms were uploaded on Instagram. She was also invited on a reality show Superstar Singer where she received an offer from Himesh Reshammiya to sing for Happy Hardy and Heer.
However, Ranu gained her popularity by singing Lata Mangeskar’s Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, Lata ji didn’t look very fond of the newly-discovered singer. She said, “Agar mere naam aur kaam se kissiko bhala hota hai toh main apne aap ko khush-kismat samajhti hoon (If anyone gets benefited from my name and work then I feel fortunate). But I also feel imitation is not a reliable and durable companion for success. By singing my songs or Kishoreda’s (Kumar), or (Mohd) Rafi Saab’s, or Mukesh Bhaiyya or Asha’s (Bhosle) numbers, aspiring singers can get short-term attention. But it won’t last.”
Dancing Uncle
Another face that stole everyone’s heart with one viral video is the Internet’s Dancing Uncle, Sanjeev Shrivastva. A professor from Bhopal who tasted fame overnight when he posted a dance video on Instagram. In the video, he was dancing on Govinda’s song during a sangeet ceremony in Gwalior, MP. It was shot by his relative. After the video went viral, he became Dancing Uncle for everyone and met superstars like Salman Khan, Govinda and Suneil Shetty. He was invited on a dance show Dance Deewane and was also appreciated by many stars including Govinda and Raveena Tandon.
Pakistani Chaiwala
A tea seller from Pakistan, Arshad Khan got popular on the Internet for his good looks, good looks and good looks. He went viral for his blue eyes and model-like looks and became a crush of many. After becoming popular on social media, the chaiwala also landed a few modelling contracts. He was even featured on BBC Asia.
Girl from Srinagar
If you have Shah Rukh Khan in the frame, would you notice anybody else? Even when the Badshah of Bollywood was in the focus in his selfie, a girl in the olive green t-shirt from Srinagar managed to capture everybody’s attention. It all happened when SRK clicked a group selfie at Symbiosis Institue of Designs, Pune during Raees promotions. When the selfie went viral, people noticed Saima Hussain Mir in the background who was a student from Srinagar. She got calls from production houses for roles in movies and because she was a Kashmiri, her social media was flooded with debates about India vs. Pakistan. Saima, on the other hand, used new found fame to talk about Kashmir and art.
Vegetable Seller from Nepal
Kusum Shrestha, an 18-year-old sabziwali from Nepal became Internet’s darling after a few pictures of her carrying vegetables at the local market went viral. The photographer posted her pictures with #Tarkariwali and #Sabjiwal. Kusum comes from a farming family based in Bagling, Gorkha. She is a student in the nearby district of Chitwan and was helping her parents during her college holidays when these pictures were taken. Internet open-heartedly praised her and refused to believe that she’s a vegetable seller. Some netizens also suggest Kusum and Arshad (Pakistani tea seller) should get married.
Also Read: #Sayonara2018: The Videos That Went Viral Before We Could Say WTF! and #MostMemeableMoment: Reactions To Paragliding Video Guy Is Something We Can All Relate To
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