Unnati Malharkar, quite a loveable name in the content creation world, saw the potential of the internet and skillfully used it to carve out a noteworthy position for her in the entertainment industry. The digital star, in an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, discusses her journey, keeping up with the uniqueness, and more.
Tejal Sinha
Beauty, fashion, and most of all, dance! You think of it, and one of the influencers who is certainly going to pop up in your mind is Unnati Malharkar. The ones who have been following her since the days of Musical.ly would remember her dance videos, which would make us all give her choreography a shot, for sure.
Among the many gifted people known for her Dame Tu Cosita dance, she is among the most talented artists who recognised the potential of the internet and used it to carve out a prominent position for herself in the entertainment industry.
Unnati’s dream has always been to teach dance! At the tender age of seven, she began to dance. Determined to pursue her interest in dance, she finished her diploma program at the age of 15, and by the time she was 16 years old, she was teaching dance at the Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts. Her passion and propensity for dancing have always been rather evident. She has consistently given it her all while.
In fact, today, as you go through her posts on the ‘gram’, you cannot stop adoring them for more than one reason. Apart from her dance videos, one could just not stop setting great standards with her trips and fashion posts!
Well, from her aesthetic fashion posts to her walking the ramps—a journey that has been no less than a humbling ride. Connecting with the star for an exclusive chat, Unnati gleefully begins, “It’s been an incredible ride from the early days of Musical.ly to where I am today. Each step has been filled with learning, growth, and the love of my amazing supporters. It’s truly humbling to see how far we’ve come together. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
Basically, she too was initially one of those who’d post videos of what fans liked. But her skills and passion, got her the attention of the audience! And since then, there has been no looking back and a natural progression into creating more short-format content, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“It was truly the joy of connection and creativity that ignited the spark that ultimately propelled me to dive into creating these videos, and it’s been an amazing journey ever since,” enthuses the diva.
But would you believe if we said YouTube was never on her radar professionally? Well, that’s what she reveals. However, “As I delved deeper into content creation, I realised the incredible potential it offered to share stories, connect with people, and make a positive impact. So, it became more than just a platform—it became a dream job, allowing me to pursue my passion while reaching out to a wider audience. In my journey, my biggest inspiration has been the unwavering support of my family and the incredible love from my fans. Their belief in me, encouragement, and endless positivity have been my guiding light through every step.”
Opinions—everyone is in possession of them. Additionally, some individuals appear to believe that it is their responsibility to ensure that their opinions—about your life, your profession, your hair, and your voice—are heard when you produce anything online.
It wears you out. And it can seriously affect your mental health if you’re not careful. So, agreeing to this, she shares, “Dealing with hate is never easy, but I’ve learned to focus on the positive. I also remind myself that hate often stems from insecurities or misunderstandings. So, I choose to respond with kindness and understanding, knowing that spreading love is always more powerful than spreading hate.”
And so, protecting her peace is a top priority. “I’m selective about what I share online, ensuring it aligns with my values and doesn’t compromise my peace of mind. I also surround myself with a supportive team that helps me filter content and navigate the online world responsibly. At the end of the day, staying true to myself while maintaining boundaries is key to safeguarding my peace.” “Finding a balance between my private and public life is crucial,” she says, adding, “While I love sharing snippets of my life with my amazing fans, I also prioritise my personal time and boundaries. Setting clear limits and being mindful of what I share helps me maintain that balance. Ultimately, it’s about preserving my authenticity while also protecting my privacy.”
In a sea of content creators, staying unique is a challenge for many. In order to keep herself distinctive, Unnati, who was also one of the creators to be felicitated by the Ministry of Culture at Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, shares, “I focus on authenticity, sharing my genuine experiences and perspectives. Whether it’s through humour, storytelling, or creativity, I strive to offer something fresh and relatable. It’s about staying true to myself and letting my unique voice shine through in everything I create.”
On the work front, there’s so much more cooking! “I’m constantly exploring new avenues to connect with my audience and share meaningful content. Whether it’s diving into new collaborations, exploring different formats, or simply pushing the boundaries of creativity, there’s always something exciting brewing on my plate. The best is yet to come, and I can’t wait to share it all with you,” she says on a signing note.
