Lucknow: Amir Hindustani, a popular influencer, captures the essence of old Lucknow through his videos, resonating with lakhs of viewers across the country. Popularly known as ‘Lucknow ki Baji,’ he creates content that reflects the conversations and dynamics of middle-class families. In this article, he shares insights into his interests and the creative process behind his content. 

Who is Amir Hindustani?

Amir Hindustani lives with his family in Lucknow. Currently, he is pursuing LLB from Ambedkar University. His father used to work in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning to India during the pandemic, he began working in a boutique. Tragically, Amir’s brother passed away last year, leaving behind a wife and a son. 

Releasing the first video

The idea of making videos stemmed from Amir’s childhood experiences of visiting relatives’ homes with his mother. He closely observed every interaction and the nuances of the Lucknow culture. Inspired by this, he decided to create videos capturing the quirkiness of Lucknow’s accent, style of greeting, complaints, and gossip among people. His first video, released in December 2022, garnered thousands of viewers and became an instant hit. 

Support from people

Amir Hindustani has 7 lakh followers on Instagram, 166 thousand followers on Facebook, and 271 thousand followers on YouTube. He recounts his experience of releasing his first video, in which he wore a dupatta. He was initially concerned about public perception about him wearing a dupatta, but ultimately, he decided to incorporate it in his videos. 

Challenges as a content creator

Social media has both pros and cons, and Amir acknowledges its benefits in providing recognition while also noting its drawbacks. One significant issue he faces is the fake accounts. Despite multiple requests for account verification, his account remains unverified on Instagram. The fake accounts download and repost his videos, amassing followers in his name. He shares that these fake accounts exploit his content for financial gain.

The fame

Amir acknowledges the fame social media has brought him; people from outside now recognize him. However, he also reflects on how this popularity has affected his social life. For about a year, he has not been able to visit places like Akbari Gate, as people there recognize him and often request for photographs. 

Significant income

Amir Hindustani shares that he earns from both YouTube and promotional videos on Instagram, which provides him with good financial support. Furthermore, apart from content creation, he likes to hang out with friends, and engage in activities like cricket and snooker. Along with his character of Lucknow ki Baji, he also receives love for his other characters. Presently, he is working with a team of 5-6 people. 

Receiving love from the audience

In this age of social media, real connections are fading away. People experience depression and hardships due to unemployment or unsuccessful relationships. Despite these challenges, Amir’s videos bring joy and laughter to viewers, giving a temporary escape from their troubles. He shares a heartwarming encounter with an elderly woman who expressed her affection and blessings for him, emphasizing that love from his audience is the most valuable reward he receives.