Begusarai: In the remote Tajpur village of Bhagwanpur, Begusarai, a young woman has defied societal norms and emerged as a social media sensation. Shivani, daughter of Shailendra Chaudhary, has amassed a massive following—2.85 lakh on Instagram, over 3.15 lakh on Facebook, and more than 10,000 on YouTube. With her content, she now earns between ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month, proving that social media can be a platform for growth even for rural youth.
A Viral Beginning Amidst Restrictions
“In villages, girls are often advised to stay away from social media,” Shivani says. “But one day in 2021, I randomly made a short video about a boyfriend-girlfriend situation during Corona lockdown. I uploaded it on Instagram, and to my surprise, it went viral overnight.”
Encouraged by her parents, elder brother, and sister, she started making and posting videos regularly. Over time, her relatable humor and village-centric content attracted lakhs of followers. “Seeing me, many other girls from our village have also started making videos,” she added.
Overcoming Mockery and Social Stigma
Initially, villagers mocked her. “People laughed and told my father, ‘Your daughter is making videos, she will get spoiled.’ But today, the same people request me to feature their children in my videos.”
Despite the taunts, her family stood by her. “My father always told me, ‘Whatever you are doing is good. Keep moving forward.’ My brother and sister have been my biggest supporters,” Shivani shared.
Success Came With A Change in Strategy
At first, Shivani relied on lip-syncing. However, her elder brother advised her to bring in her own creativity.
“My brother told me that lip-syncing won’t take me far because thousands of people are doing it. Instead, he encouraged me to showcase my natural talent—imitating people’s accents and mannerisms, just like I do at home,” she recalled.
The shift worked. In December 2022, one of her videos—depicting a humorous take on relationship struggles during the pandemic—went viral, garnering over 10 million views.
“In the video, I said, ‘Life is full of tension. One tension goes, another comes. Now see, we planned to roam around on January 1, holding hands with our boyfriend. But who knew Corona would come!’”
From Social Media Star to Singer
With her growing popularity, Shivani has also ventured into singing. “I have sung 6-7 songs so far, including wedding songs and folk music. One of my songs, ‘Namak Roti Khayenge’, is also going viral,” she said.
Balancing Stardom and Studies
Despite her fame, Shivani remains focused on education. She has completed her graduation and now plans to pursue D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education) to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher.
“When I go to take exams, students and teachers surround me, saying, ‘You made that video, right?’ But no one asks if I’ve studied the syllabus!” she laughed.
Shivani earns ₹20,000-₹25,000 per month from social media but hands over the money to her father. “He is my mentor, and he decides how to spend it,” she said.
A Message for Women on Women’s Day
On Women’s Day, Shivani shared an inspiring message: “Women should not be suppressed. If they allow others to silence them, society will keep them under pressure. Every woman has some talent—sewing, painting, singing—whatever it is, they should showcase it. We need to change our thinking and empower women, not just celebrate them for one day.”
She also emphasized that the new generation should focus more on their words and actions than on outdated traditions like veiling their faces.
“My Brother is My Guru”
For Shivani, her elder brother remains her biggest inspiration. “In singing, my father is my strength, but for video content, my brother is my Guru,” she said.
She firmly believes that women should have the freedom to wear what they like, express themselves, and pursue their dreams. “Society should stop judging women based on their appearance. Girls should feel free to do what they want.”
Her most popular videos revolve around funny fights between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law or husband-wife banter. “People love watching these! Even my fight videos go viral the most,” she chuckled.
From a small village in Bihar to a social media star, Shivani’s journey is a testament to breaking stereotypes and following one’s passion.
