Ten Older Adult Influencers Rocking Indian Instagram

Did you think Instagram was a place only for the young? Well, it’s time to think again.

With over one billion active users in a month, Instagram is where popular social media is at. What started as a photo-sharing app is now a place to share information, promote your hustle or hobby, plan an offbeat vacation and thanks to reels – even bring out your inner performer. With over 180 million users, India has one of the highest numbers of Instagram users, most of them in the age group of 18-24 years. And while numbers are important, it doesn't mean older adults are staying away from the app. In fact, many Indian older adults are popular Instagram influencers breaking ageing stereotypes. In 2018, the BBC ran an article calling popular older adults on Insta ‘granfluencers’ (We are not big on the term as not every older person is a granny). Despite the massive focus on youth, top older Insta influencers had a 24 per cent increase in their followers, the article said. And no surprises there. Older influencers on Instagram often bring us a different (and very real) view of age, keeping us hooked to their posts.  

Here's our list of 10 Indian older adults rocking Instagram. 

Ravi Bala Sharma

https://www.instagram.com/ravi.bala.sharma/

Dancing her way into our hearts, 63-year-old 'Dancing Dadi' aka Ravi Bala Sharma has 187,000 followers and growing! Sharma took to the stage to fulfil her late husband's wish. A video of Sharma dancing the bhangra shared by singer/actor Diljit Dosanjh made her account famous. But Sharma thinks beyond follower numbers. “For me, the follower count is just the number of people who love and appreciate my art. I try to put out videos regularly with the help of my son who edits them for me,” she told The Hindu. She often does dance collabs with younger people, including her children. What you take away from those videoes is her infectious energy, bright smile and the belief that it's never too late to shine! 

Manjri Varde

https://www.instagram.com/manjrivarde/

We absolutely love this 'Sassy Saasu' who currently has 132k followers and more. We also love how she has been turning ageism and relationship stereotypes upside down. Watch her boss it up with her crazy collection of boots, dish up some undhiyo or pav bhaji, create fun reels with her daughter in law Sameera Reddy and be the doting grandmom squishing her adorable grandkids. Want to know more? Read about her here.

Dinesh Mohan

https://www.instagram.com/dinesh.mohan.58/

Depression and thoughts of self-harm. Overweight and health issues. Lack of direction. Dinesh Mohan, 63, has gone through many personal battles to become a successful senior model with over 300,000 Instagram followers. Looking at him it's hard to imagine he weighed over 130 kgs at his lowest point. His is a story of determination and effort as Mohan worked hard to get his mind and body back in shape. Read about him here.

Neena Gupta

https://www.instagram.com/neena_gupta/

You have to hand it over to Neena Gupta, actor par excellence and redefining bold since she became a single mom by choice to daughter Masaba way back in 1989. Gupta made heads turn with her performance as an older woman dealing with pregnancy and the society around her in the 2018 comedy grosser ‘Badhai Ho.’ She also wrote her no holds barred autobiography ‘Sach Kahun Toh.’ Her Insta account is hugely popular with 9,00,000 followers and more and reflects Gupta’s bindaas style, whether dressed in casual travel shorts, kaftans or something designed by her daughter.

Senguttuvan Subburathina

https://www.instagram.com/sengut2006/

Senguttuvan Subburathina, 72, turned chef after retirement to help his wife with daily kitchen chores and fuel his passion for cooking. He has since then been the senior-most contender in 2021 SunTV MasterChef Tamil, making his way to the top 24 out of over 1500 contestants and becoming a food influencer on Instagram with over 14K followers. He told us how he did it!

Seema Anand

https://www.instagram.com/seemaanandstorytelling/

Seema Anand describes herself as a sex health educator and storyteller. Her striking good looks and that glorious silver hair may catch your attention first but what will keep you hooked to Seema Anand's pathbreaking, ageism shattering Insta account are the discussions around sex and how she demystifies it. She has discussed how older adults can have a better sex life; contraception myths and knowing your body better. Anand completely shatters the image that an older person cannot talk about sex and has an account that is a must-visit to know about pleasure, both for the young and old. 

Rajini Chandy

https://www.instagram.com/rajinichandyofficial/

The boss lady that she is, Rajini Chandy wears her success lightly and speaks her mind. In her 70s, she is sure to live her life just as she wants. "I don't know how many hours I have left, let me enjoy them," she told us once in a live conversation. Besides keeping herself fit, Chandy learns the drums and acts in ad films and films. She has even launched a YouTube channel to inspire other older adults. An OG in every avatar, watch her shatter a few glass barriers in this live interview with us.

Vijayalaxmi Chhabra

https://www.instagram.com/vijayalaxmichhabra/

Love saris? Would you like to know more about textiles and Indian fabrics? Join the 50,000 plus followers Vijayalaxmi Chhabra has on Instagram. The former director-general of Doordarshan is a saree influencer now and has an enviable collection.  To follow her is to learn the history of saree weaving from different parts of India. Her well thought out posts also give an insight into the lives of working women in the 70s and 80s and the importance of education and discipline, which seems to have been a hallmark of an older India. Read more on her here.

Nafisa Ali

https://www.instagram.com/nafisaalisodhi/

Few people radiate the joie de vivre actor and former swimmer Nafisa Ali exudes. Her 100,000 plus followers think so too. Even while undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, Ali’s Insta account was a mix of positive reflections, gratitude and love. She shared her journey with courage, surrounded by her family and care. We saw her recently vacationing in Australia with her mother and brother. Hats off to her positivity and recovery. 

Harish Bali

https://www.instagram.com/visa2explore/

Harish Bali is a travel blogger. With 40,000 followers and more, Bali is a much DMed person now with people asking him for travel tips. He is a good source for information on travelling around India and the local food, including must not miss sights. From Katra to Kanyakumari, Bali has covered it all. Check out his straight from the heart account. 

Cover image courtesy: Rajini Chandy

Are you an Instagram user? Tell us your favourite people among the older adults out there in the comments below.