Latest news with #Shiku
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Where it's real, raw and restricted: Inside the secret ‘finsta' life
In a now-deleted Reddit thread, fans gleefully dissected screenshots of Janhvi Kapoor's spam account on Instagram, once known as @bholisisurat, which she blurted out on an episode of Koffee With Karan. The 'finsta', a 'fake', secondary and often private Instagram account, did not have her usual picture-perfect portraits or brand collaborations. This one had blurry photo dumps, pouty mirror selfies, cute pictures with Shiku (her partner, Shikhar Pahariya) and pixelated late-night chaos. And somehow, all that felt more real than something on her verified handle. Once trophies of public admiration, Instagram accounts are no longer slaves to the aesthetics of perfection. A generation of social media users is now moving inward with smaller circles, curated chaos, spam accounts, and 'Close Friends' lists. In a world of algorithms, professional dashboards and analytics, these tiny digital nooks are where real personality thrives. Sanghamitra Basak (@sanghbee), a digital content creator, says her spam account features a no-filter online personality. 'On my main account, I am aware of the audience. Even if I don't care too much, there's still a filter. On my spam, it's just me. No filters, no edits, no captions that sound like I am trying too hard. Just thoughts, moments, and emotions in their rawest form'. The shift Though span or finsta accounts have been around for years, the desire for smaller and safer online spaces accelerated during the Covid-19 era, when the world felt like it was on fire. These accounts offered the perfect digital cocoons. Today, Gen Z continues to create digital 'alter egos' as a way to reclaim control over how they are perceived and who gets access to their most uninhibited self. Whether you are a celebrity or a college student, the real flex isn't the number of followers you have but who you let in. These accounts come with velvet ropes, separating the curated and the candid audience. You can't search these accounts, can't request to follow, you have to be 'invited'. And their owners aren't shy about this exclusivity. Their Instagram bios would proudly say, 'dm for CF' (Close Friends), 'spam > main' or 'Main me cute, finsta me truth'. Then, there's a strategic side to this. Influencers have started to monetise private access through exclusive subscriptions, turning connection into commerce. Instagram rolled out a monthly subscription feature in 2023, allowing fans to become paid members of a creator's account. It was also the year Instagram launched 'Broadcast Channels', with which creators could quite literally slide into your DMs. These channels often feature quick, conversational and casual messages, intended to make the followers feel like they have access to a more 'real' side of the creator. A safe space Once, Instagram was a gallery, where all the moments were posed, filtered and 'collaged'. The carefully curated aesthetics of the 2016 era-VSCO edits and golden hour selfies have been replaced with chaotic seven-slide photo dumps, blurry memes and 'soft launches'. It's a shift from performance to presence meant for the few who 'get it'. In a way, these private spaces function like modern diaries or digital group therapy. The intimacy of a finsta can foster closer relationships with friends, creating a safe space for sharing emotions. A 2022 study offers some insight into why that is. When interacting in real life, we are usually in social groups that belong to certain contexts — for instance, a workplace would have colleagues, or a home would have family. On social media, there is a 'context collapse' or, in simpler words, all these diverse groups become a homogenous audience. Therefore, finstas, with a controlled audience, 'provide an avenue for the sharing of images and feelings that do not conform to stereotypical expectations' as well as places for 'cathartic venting'. Dishita, a 20-year-old student at Delhi University, says, 'I wanted a separate account where I would only have my close friends and I can post anything without giving it a thought.' 'I usually post fun and irrelevant reels that I make with my friends or even family. Sometimes when I just want to humour myself, I post crack memes. Basically, it's the other side of me, even though I am not a person who gets very conscious while posting on my main account, it feels super cool to be able to articulate and express my thoughts where there are no boring people in my account,' she added. 'I am a very opinionated person but my finsta is a space where I can post anything without the fear of getting judged', says Dishita. A finsta often feels low-stakes, where users don't have to keep up appearances. For Basak, it offers a 'space to exist without pressure'. 'My main feels like a magazine, and this one feels like a diary. It's where I can be messy, random, and real without wondering who's judging,' she says.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Khushi Kapoor and rumored boyfriend Vedang Raina enjoy a sweet moment together as they vibe to Ranbir Kapoor's 'Tujhe Bhula Diya' in viral video
Celebrities don't often reveal their romantic lives. However, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor have been subtly hinting at their relationships. Recently, Khushi was spotted wearing a 'V heart K' necklace, a nod to Janhvi's well-known 'Shiku' necklace. Though the sisters haven't publicly confirmed their relationships with Shikhar Pahariya and Vedang Raina , fans have quickly pieced it together. Last month, a video from DJ Ganesh's Mumbai gig went viral, showing Khushi Kapoor with her arm around her rumored boyfriend, Vedang Raina, as they took a selfie together. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dj Ganesh (@djganesh_djg) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My Dad Asked, 'Is Your Allowance Sufficient?' I Replied, 'What Allowance?' Crowdy Fan Undo Khushi looked stunning in a lavender handkerchief top, while Vedang dressed sharp in a black button-down shirt and white t-shirt. Now, fans are in for a treat with an unseen video from the same event. In this clip, Khushi and Vedang are seen enjoying Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra 's romantic song " Tujhe Bhula Diya " from the 2010 film Anjaana Anjaani. Vibing to the song In the video, Khushi stands just behind Vedang, slightly elevated. As Vedang sings along to the song, he turns to look at Khushi when the lyrics "Phir kyun teri yaadon ne, mujhe rula diya oh" play. The smile on Khushi's face in that moment is simply priceless! How cute are they together? Khushi and Vedang's romance is said to have started on the sets of their debut film The Archies (2023). In the Zoya Akhtar-directed teen musical, Khushi portrayed Betty Cooper, while Vedang captured hearts as Reggie Mantle. Vedang Raina was last seen in Jigra where he plays Alia Bhatt's younger brother, Ankur Anand. He is reportedly set to star in Imtiaz Ali's next with Ananya Panday. Khushi, on the other hand, was last seen in 'Nadaaniyan' which marked Ibrahim Ali Khan 's big Bollywood debut.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Khushi Kapoor and rumoured BF Vedang Raina vibe to Ranbir Kapoor's Tujhe Bhula Diya in unseen video; watch
In an industry where celebrities often hide their relationship from the public eye, sisters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor proudly wear the initials of their rumoured boyfriends. Just recently, taking inspiration from Janhvi's famous 'Shiku' necklace, Khushi flaunted her 'V heart K' neck piece. Even though the divas have not yet confirmed their respective relationships with Shikhar Pahariya and Vedang Raina in so many words, it is obvious to netizens that they are in love. Well, the latest proof is an unseen video of Khushi and Vedang vibing together in an unseen video from a celebrity bash in Mumbai. A post shared by Dj Ganesh (@djganesh_djg) Last month, a video from DJ Ganesh's Mumbai gig went viral on social media, which featured Khushi Kapoor with her arm around rumoured boyfriend Vedang Raina as they came together for a selfie. Khushi looked gorgeous in her lavender handkerchief top while Vedang was dapper in a button down black shirt with a white t-shirt inside. Well, much to the delight of fans, we have now got our hands on an unseen video of the rumoured love birds from the bash. This time, Vedang and Khushi can be seen vibing to Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra's soulful track Tujhe Bhula Diya, from their 2010 rom com drama Anjaana Anjaani. A post shared by Dj Ganesh (@djganesh_djg) In the video, Khushi is standing right behind her beau Vedang, just a step above. Vedang is singing along to the song, but right when the lyrics 'Phir kyun teri yaadon ne, mujhe rula diya oh' play, he turns around and looks at Khushi. The smile on Khushi's face is unmissable at this moment! How adorable are these two? Khushi and Vedang's love story reportedly blossomed on the sets of their debut film The Archies (2023). In the Zoya Akhtar teen musical, Khushi played the role of Betty Cooper whereas Vedang won hearts as Reggie Mantle.
