You might know Chandni as the creator who effortlessly nails Alia Bhatt impressions or brings a Marwadi mom to life with uncanny accuracy. Her reels, packed with humour and relatable content, have a way of pulling you in. But beyond the laughs and viral moments lies a side of Chandni that’s just as vibrant, honest, and dynamic as the characters she plays. In a conversation with SheThePeople, Chandni Bhabhda opens up about her real-life personality, the challenges she faced, and the journey that shaped her into the creator she is today.
How the Camera Became Her True Calling
Chandni’s foray into content creation wasn’t a sudden decision, "Many people don't know that I was just 16 years old when I uploaded my first YouTube video in 2016, marking the beginning of a creative outlet that would eventually become my passion.” However, this wasn’t the only thing on her plate. "Simultaneously, I did other things. When I look back, I’m like, oh my god, how did I do all this? I did my law, five years of law, and during that time, I also explored diverse roles in marketing, event management, voiceover work, and even as a radio jockey for an online portal, “ she recalls.
But ultimately, one thing became clear, her heart belonged in front of the camera. "I felt like the camera was very non-judgmental towards me. I always felt safe with it. It wasn't like a one-sided relationship; I also felt like the camera loved me back," she says.
Chandni Gets Candid About Mental Health
This deep connection with the camera stemmed from a place of pain and loneliness. Growing up, Chandni faced severe bullying from both teachers and classmates, leaving her feeling isolated and abandoned. "I used to get bullied a lot by my teachers and classmates. I’ve filled my diaries feeling very lonely, thinking if I am so lonely, why do people abandon me? I also come from a perspective where I had no friends growing up, so I made the camera my best friend."
In a refreshingly honest moment, Chandni opened up about her mental health struggles and how her mother played a pivotal role in getting her the help she needed. "I was extremely blessed because my mother took me to a psychiatrist first. With all the bullying and everything happening, I wasn’t able to deal with it," she shared candidly.
Now, she’s determined to break the stigma surrounding mental health, especially the hesitation to consult psychiatrists. "People talk about therapy and are going to therapists, which is great, but there's still a major stigma around psychiatrists. Psychiatrists and psychologists go hand in hand, just like visiting an orthopaedic when you break a bone and then going for physiotherapy. It’s as normal as that."
Chandni credits her mother not just for her initial support but for being her rock throughout her journey. "She’s so supportive and understanding. We have a bond where we sit and talk about each other's fears. I have this good girl syndrome where I want to be good in my family's eyes, especially my mom’s. I can’t do anything without telling her."
Their relationship thrives on openness and non-judgment, even on topics often considered taboo. "We talk about everything, life, sex, orgasms, pleasure, literally everything. That relationship built over time because mom was non-judgmental, and that made me feel safe enough to share."
Have a glimpse into this chapter of her life here.
Her Unfiltered Struggle with PCOD
Chandni recently opened up about her struggles with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) on social media. Her raw and unfiltered revelations resonated with countless women facing similar challenges but often suffering in silence. She shared, "I started talking about PCOS very naturally because I was genuinely distressed. I was frustrated, really frustrated. It felt like I was trapped in a loop, PMSing for two to three months straight and unable to explain it to anyone. I’d be waiting, patiently hoping for my periods to come, and they just wouldn’t. Meanwhile, my hormones were all over the place," she candidly shared.
Weight gain, a common but often misunderstood symptom of PCOS, added another layer of anxiety. Chandni explained, "I’ve always been on the slightly overweight side, and my lifestyle hasn’t been the healthiest, so weight gain used to make sense. But now, even after maintaining a healthier lifestyle, my weight kept increasing. That’s when I started panicking. I kept thinking, ‘Why is this happening? Why is this happening to me?’ I didn’t feel like myself anymore. I didn’t even want to step out of the house because I don't feel confident.”
In a twist that many women will find relatable, sharing her vulnerability online brought unexpected solace. “I genuinely thought I was the only one dealing with this. It felt like no one else could understand what I was going through. When I posted about it on the internet, I realized, ‘Oh, is this happening to everyone with PCOS? Are people going through the same thing?’ That’s when it hit me, I’m not alone."
Honest Take on Navigating the Online Space
However, dealing with PCOS became even more challenging for Chandni due to the constant, unsolicited remarks from strangers on the internet. "Every other message in my DMs is like, ‘Oh, you’ve gained a lot of weight.’" Having grown up in an environment where bullying was a persistent shadow, Chandni now found herself confronting the modern version of it in the digital world.
She admitted she’s still figuring out how to shield herself from its harsher side. Reflecting on the scrutiny she faces online, she shared, "Right now, honestly, I’m not able to handle it." Recalling an incident that deeply affected her, she opened up about a dance video she had posted, “I think I had posted a dance video, the 'Amma' one, and even on that, I got so many comments like, ‘You’ve gained weight’ and things like that. I took it very personally. I was like, why are people saying this? Why are they commenting like this? I don’t like it. I don’t like it. And I started feeling very panicky."
The overwhelming nature of online criticism has made her more conscious of drawing boundaries, but she admits it’s a work in progress. "I’m still trying to figure out a good way to understand that, okay, I shouldn’t take this to heart. I have to draw a line. But honestly, I’m still struggling with it. I can’t."
Chandni on Career, Creativity, and Community
When it comes to her career, Chandni admits it’s deeply intertwined with who she is. Reflecting on a recent therapy session, she shared, "I went for my therapy session with a new therapist just the other evening, and she told me, ‘You’re the kind of person who thrives on constant adrenaline rushes from new experiences. So, don’t stick to just one thing’ I constantly feel like I’m not working at all. I have major imposter syndrome, and I’m always wondering, ‘What am I doing with my life?’" Moreover, she’s fully committed to growing her craft, whether through workshops, auditions, or pushing her creative boundaries.
Chandni isn’t just a content creator, she’s an avid fan of fellow creators whose work fuels her own passion. “If I have to appreciate someone, I will. Kusha (Kapila) is an inspiration. Dolly (Singh), Shibani (Bedi). I get inspired by all of them.” When it comes to fashion, she admires “Rajvee (Gandhi).” For travel content, Chandni looks up to “Apoorva (Mukhija) for travel. Her tech fascination leads her straight to RJ Abhinav.
Have you come across these creators? What do you think of their content?
Admire a creator and curious about their journey or how they’ve mastered the content creation game? 'Behind The Gram' is an exclusive series by SheThePeople that uncovers the stories, struggles, and strategies of your favourite content creators. Tell us, who would you love to see us sit down with next?
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