Reenu Debnath On Small-Town Struggles, Sisterhood, And Finding Her Voice Online

Reenu Debnath’s story is a reminder that dreams can rise from the most unexpected places. From helping her parents run a small dhaba during the lockdown to building a digital community of millions, Reenu’s story is shaped by struggle, family support, and an unshaken love for acting. Forced to leave school due to financial issues, she found her stage online, turning everyday realities into relatable, humorous content. 

Speaking to SheThePeople, Reenu opened up about her quiet personality, her drive to succeed, and her dream to inspire more young, hopeful creators who just need a chance to be seen.

Behind The Gram: Reenu Debnath in conversation with SheThePeople

STP: You come from a small village near Kolkata. How did your early life and family struggles shape your journey?

Reenu: I belong to a small village near Kolkata called Shantipur. My family and I came to Pune in 2020. Because of COVID-19, we got stuck here. I was 13 at that time. My father runs a small dhaba. My parents, my sister, and I worked there, washing dishes and serving customers. We did what we had to. It was a completely new city and I didn’t know the language. 

Because of financial issues and the language barrier, I had to leave school in the 8th grade. It felt like life had paused. But all of that shaped me. It taught me how to adjust, how to stay grounded, and how to dream even when everything around you says you shouldn’t.

STP: What made you choose content creation, and how did acting come into the picture?

Reenu: I loved acting ever since I was a child. More than studying, I used to go to school or tuition just to entertain others or do mimicry. Everyone knew I was more interested in comedy. So I thought this was a good opportunity. At that time, YouTube was trending, and I decided to try it once. My family was very supportive too. 

My father was also fond of acting, but he did not get any opportunity to pursue it. My mom also said, “Okay, now you should do this.” What I always wanted to do was act. So I was focused more on acting and wanted to grow in that path. But finding that path took me time.

STP: What was that breakthrough moment when your content finally started to reach people?

Reenu: I started in 2020, but it took me a while to figure out what exactly I wanted to do. I tried editing, making reaction videos, and other formats. Then in 2023, I found my real path, what I truly wanted to do. I started observing people and made content out of whatever I saw in my surroundings.

 I think that is how people started finding me relatable. In September 2024, my first video went viral. Then, in January 2025, I hit 1 lakh followers. Now I have 1 million followers on Instagram. I don’t have a team, I’m a one-woman army doing everything alone, from scripting to shooting to editing.

STP: You talk a lot about turning painful experiences into comedy. Why do you think that’s important?

Reenu: Even if something’s painful or uncomfortable, I try to present it in a funny way. That way, people can look back at their past and laugh about it, instead of feeling ashamed. One of my videos compared Indian and foreign parents. In foreign countries, when parents argue in front of their kids, it’s considered traumatic, and they even move to separate houses. But Indian parents don’t even ask about their children’s mental health. They argue right in front of them. It’s a sensitive topic, but every kid can relate. So I turned it into comedy: “Look around, laugh, don’t overthink it.” 

STP: How have things changed for you in terms of recognition?

Reenu: People don’t see this in my videos, but I am very introverted. I don’t have many friends and mostly stay at home. On-screen, I might seem open, but it takes time for me to open up in real life. It feels special when people talk to me and appreciate my work. It's a unique, one-in-a-million kind of feeling. 

STP: What’s the reality behind the scenes of being a creator while living in a one-room setup?

Reenu: My struggle is still going on. I haven’t “made it” yet. From 2020 to now, it’s been a long journey. I didn’t earn anything when I had 2 lakh followers because I had no idea how to monetise. I didn’t even have a proper mic or camera back then. I’d time my shoots around traffic jams and crowd noise. I finally bought a mic after saving up.

People often say they can’t create content without proper equipment, but I made do with what I had. Even now, we live next to the hotel staff quarters. My mom still works in the hotel. It’s still one room, but I get a little more privacy now. But I do want a space of my own. A place with peace and quiet. It’s not about fear, it’s about wanting a bit of freedom and calm.

STP: What’s your dream for the future, both as a creator and as a young woman navigating this space?

Reenu: My dream is to be one of the top content creators in India. It’s a big responsibility & I’m still young and still learning. But I want to grow enough to inspire others like me someday. Right now, I’m still in the process. I want opportunities in acting too. 

Now I have finally resumed my studies, and I try to manage both along with my content creation.

I want to start a YouTube cooking show with my parents. Just waiting for the right setup.

STP: What is something you wish to tell all the young people trying to pursue their dreams like you?

Reenu: I want to say to them that the most important thing is to believe in yourself. These days, we keep comparing ourselves to others. But everyone’s talent is different. Like if a bird looks at a fish and thinks, “I’m not good enough”, that’s unfair. The bird should remember it can fly.

Even to my 13-year-old self, I would say, “You can do it. Just believe in yourself.” Earlier, I used to think, “Will it happen or not?” Now I feel, “If it happens, it’ll happen through me!”

During tough times, sometimes I do wish everything were easy, or that things would magically get better. But the reality is that nothing comes for free. Being middle-class means you have to struggle. People who get things without effort, that’s their fate. But the things we earn have a different kind of value.

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