Popular digital creator and actor Chandni Bhabhda revealed her transition from viral social media stardom to mainstream Bollywood cinema during a recent interview on the Ketchup Talks podcast.
Bhabhda, who first gained massive internet fame for her spot-on mimicry of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, discussed her journey of manifesting a role in a Dharma Productions film and the shift in her career trajectory.
The interview highlighted how Bhabhda moved beyond short-form content to secure a position as a full-fledged actor in major film projects.
Bhabhda described the surreal experience of working on a Dharma Productions set, a prestigious film studio in India, noting that the reality of her achievement has yet to fully sink in.
She explained that while she is grateful for her success, she often struggles with imposter syndrome. This psychological phenomenon keeps her grounded but occasionally makes it difficult for her to acknowledge her own professional growth.
The creator emphasized that she does not want to be limited to a single persona or her viral mimicry roots. Bhabhda noted that she has many characters within her and finds staying as just one version of herself boring.
She discussed the importance of being known for diverse roles, such as her Marwari Mother or Marathi Teacher characters, which helps break the industry notion that influencers are only cast for their reach or follower counts rather than their technical acting abilities.
The conversation touched upon the intense work ethic required in the creator economy. Bhabhda admitted to a constant feeling that she is not doing enough, a sentiment she discussed in the context of her therapy and mental health journey.
She noted that compared to her friends in traditional corporate jobs, she often feels the pressure to remain relevant in a freelance environment where future paychecks are never guaranteed.
Bhabhda shared a particularly personal moment from her time on set involving a project with Alia Bhatt. She described the experience as a dream come true, recalling how she met Bhatt and even spent time playing with Bhatt’s daughter, Raha, in the actress’s vanity van.
Bhabhda praised Bhatt’s grounded nature and the welcoming atmosphere on the set, which she cited as a significant milestone in her transition from a fan and mimic to a professional peer.
Originally a law student who completed five years of legal education, Bhabhda struck a deal with her father to give her two years to pursue acting before committing to a law firm.
Since then, she has built a significant digital presence with over 500K followers on Instagram and has successfully transitioned into acting with roles in projects like Constable Girpade and her recent film debut.
Bhabhda continues to balance her digital content creation with her burgeoning film career, aiming to tell stories through multiple mediums.
