Not just an 'angry girl' on the internet

Bengaluru

Imagine the ancient, sun-drenched stones of Hampi meeting a whirlwind of modern energy - that is Haripriya Kulkarni. She is a 23-year-old digital content creator from Gangavathi near Hampi who has established a strong presence on Instagram with a following of approximately 89,000 users. Known for her outgoing personality and strong communication skills, she engages audiences through consistent and expressive content.

She also acknowledges having a contrasting persona online, often described as “the angry girl on the internet”. This perception stems from her frequent rant-style videos, which, while popular, differ significantly from her off-screen demeanour.In addition to content creation, Kulkarni works as a social media manager in Bengaluru, collaborating closely with marketing teams. Although she holds a degree in engineering, she chose to pursue a career in the digital media space, aligning her profession with her long-standing interests.

The conversations must start somewhere 
“I enjoy creating videos and expressing my views”, said Haripriya in an exclusive interaction with News Trail, reflecting on the beginnings of her journey as a digital content creator.Coming from a background where conversations around social issues such as women’s rights and feminism were often muted, she felt compelled to speak up.“There was a certain silence around these topics where I come from”, she said, adding that this motivated her to initiate discussions through her platform. 

She began posting content on Instagram in 2022, initially experimenting with formats such as fashion, lifestyle and singing. Over time, her content evolved into rant-style opinion-driven videos. She observed that many family-based and relatable skits on social media tend to normalise problematic behaviour. “A lot of what is shown as humour can actually be offensive if you look closely”, she said. Emphasising her intent, she added, “I try to bring attention to things that are often ignored but should not be normalised”.

Despite facing criticism and online backlash for her opinions, Haripriya continues to engage with such topics. “Hate is part of the process, but that doesn’t mean you stop speaking”, she remarked, while also stressing the importance of recognising the fine line between humour and insensitivity.

Mastered art of balance
Recalling a key milestone, she spoke about a video on different Kannada accents that garnered nearly 12 million views. “I was genuinely overwhelmed by the response, it was very unexpected”, she said. Balancing her professional commitments with content creation, Haripriya said she utilises her free time and weekends to ideate and produce content. “Whenever I find time, I try to work on an idea or shoot something”, she explained. She also recently ventured into stand-up comedy. “I wanted to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone”, she said, adding that it was nerve-wracking, but also very exciting.

Exploring her horizons
Haripriya further shared that her father, who initially learned about her online presence through acquaintances, now her father and mother take great pride in her work. “He now tells everyone that I’m a creator”, she said.Looking ahead, she indicated that although currently her main focus is her professional life, she may consider pursuing content creation full-time. “It is a possibility, but I am still figuring things out”, she said. Advising aspiring creators, she added, “Don’t let others limit you - we need to validate ourselves for what we do”.