In 2015, Prajakta Koli was a 21-year-old radio jockey in Mumbai, living a stable but uninspiring life. She’d graduated with a degree in Mass Media from Mumbai’s V.G. Vaze College, landed an RJ job, and was doing what most middle-class Indian families consider the safe path. But something inside her felt restless.
YouTube in 2015 was dominated by international creators and a handful of Indian gaming and tech channels. Comedy content from Indian creators was rare, and female comedians were practically invisible. The few Indian YouTubers who had succeeded were either doing tech reviews or elaborate production sketches. Nobody was doing simple, relatable comedy about everyday Indian life.
When Prajakta met Varun Tripathi from One Digital Entertainment at a radio station, he saw something she didn’t—potential. He suggested she channel her natural comedic timing into YouTube videos. She was terrified. Creating content meant putting herself out there, risking rejection, and worst of all, potentially disappointing her family who expected stability.
The early days were brutal. Her first videos got barely any views. She was working full-time at the radio station while filming comedy sketches in her bedroom at night. Family and friends questioned why she was wasting time on videos nobody watched. The pressure to quit and focus on her ‘real job’ was intense.
The Turning Point
Prajakta’s breakthrough came from a simple realization: stop trying to be like other creators and just be herself. She started making videos about things every Indian girl experiences—dealing with relatives, struggling with Hindi on official forms, awkward family gatherings, the pressure to get married.
Her video ‘Types of Singles on Valentine’s Day’ struck a chord. Then ‘Expectations vs Reality – Indian Shopping’ went viral. Young Indians—especially young women—saw themselves in her content. She wasn’t performing comedy; she was living it. Her humor came from honesty, not punchlines.
The name ‘MostlySane’ came from her approach to life: mostly sane, occasionally chaotic, always relatable. Within two years, she had over a million subscribers. By 2018, she quit her radio job to become a full-time content creator—a decision that terrified her family but proved transformative.
In 2019, YouTube featured her as a ‘Creator for Change’—a global initiative spotlighting creators using their platforms for social good. She became YouTube’s global ambassador, representing not just India but showing what authentic storytelling looks like. She’d gone from filming in her bedroom to collaborating with YouTube’s headquarters.
Then came Netflix. In 2020, she starred in ‘Mismatched,’ a romantic comedy series that brought her acting skills to mainstream audiences. The series was a hit, proving she wasn’t just a YouTuber—she was a genuine entertainer who could cross platforms.
The Strategy
Prajakta’s success came from strategic authenticity—being genuinely herself while understanding what resonated with her audience.
Relatable Over Polished
While other creators invested in expensive equipment and elaborate sets, Prajakta filmed in her bedroom with basic equipment. Her production was simple because the content was real. She talked about things her audience actually experienced, not aspirational scenarios they couldn’t relate to.
Consistency Above Virality
Prajakta posted regularly—every week, without fail. She didn’t chase viral trends or sensational clickbait. She built trust with her audience by showing up consistently with quality content. This steady approach built a loyal fanbase rather than one-time viewers.
Platform Diversification
As her YouTube channel grew to 7 million subscribers, she expanded to Instagram (7.7 million followers), entered traditional media with Netflix, and started speaking at corporate events. She didn’t put all her eggs in one platform basket. When YouTube’s algorithm changed, she had other revenue streams and audiences.
Social Impact Messaging
Prajakta used her platform for causes she cared about—mental health, education for girls, body positivity. Her ‘Creators for Change’ work with YouTube focused on using comedy to address social issues. This gave her brand depth beyond entertainment, making her valuable to brands wanting authentic social messaging.
Strategic Brand Partnerships
Unlike creators who promote anything for money, Prajakta chose brand partnerships carefully. She worked with Google, YouTube, Bumble, and other brands that aligned with her values and audience. This selectivity maintained her credibility and allowed her to charge premium rates.
The Results
Today, Prajakta Koli is one of India’s most influential content creators, with impact that extends far beyond subscriber counts.
Her YouTube channel ‘MostlySane’ has 7.04 million subscribers with videos viewed over 600 million times. Her Instagram following of 7.7 million makes her one of India’s top female influencers. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
She became YouTube’s Global Ambassador for ‘Creators for Change,’ representing India on the international stage. She starred in Netflix’s hit series ‘Mismatched,’ proving YouTubers could successfully transition to traditional media. She’s been featured in Forbes, honored at YouTube FanFest, and become a household name among Indian Gen Z and Millennials.
More importantly, she paved the way for female comedy creators in India. Before Prajakta, Indian YouTube comedy was a boys’ club. She proved that women could build massive audiences through relatable humor without compromising authenticity or resorting to shock value.
Her estimated net worth exceeds $2 million, built through YouTube ad revenue, brand partnerships, acting roles, and speaking engagements. She’s financially independent, creatively fulfilled, and using her platform to inspire millions of young Indians—especially young women—to pursue creative careers.
