Pujarini Pradhan, better known as @lifeofpujaa, has become one of Instagram's most talked-about creators. Hailing from a small village in West Bengal, she has built a distinctive digital identity: modest cotton sarees, rural backdrops, and thoughtful commentary on feminism, films, religion, capitalism, and everyday life. Her reels are intimate and unhurried, blending personal anecdotes with cultural critique.
Her authenticity struck a chord. Today, she has over 675,000 followers across just 130 posts, covering village life, family moments, and layered takes on social issues, making her content both relatable and aspirational. Pujarini speaks in English while remaining rooted in her rural surroundings, a contrast that has become her signature.
Her rapid rise, however, attracted scrutiny.
In March 2026, some critics questioned whether her polished editing, cinematic framing, and consistent output were entirely organic. Niharika Jain, a therapist and influencer, suggested that Pujarini's persona might be "constructed" to appear relatable, drawing comparisons to the carefully managed public image of Shah Rukh Khan.
Accusations also focused on her brand deals with Netflix and Audible, with critics arguing that such collaborations seemed "too polished" for someone from a rural village. Pujarini clarified that while her agency handles brand partnerships, they never assisted with her content creation.
"It was all me, solely me," she emphasised in a detailed Instagram response.
Pujarini went on to explain the exploitation she faced early in her career on her Instagram
"I saw a lot of speculation online about me, so I thought I should clarify. Initially, it took me only 15–20 minutes to shoot and edit a video, it's not magic. My first agency, which I worked with in November, never helped me shoot, edit, or script anything. I was handling everything alone. When my earnings became public, I could finally speak about it.
"They offered me 30,000 rupees per reel for two brand videos, which seemed like a lot at the time. A month later, I discovered the agency had signed a deal worth 200,000 rupees with the brand but would only give me 60,000, and then take 20% from that. Once I realised I was being scammed, I immediately left and spoke to other creators for guidance.
"On 19th January, I posted a reel stating I do everything myself because that's the truth. The agency had already tried to exploit me, and I was managing everything alone. I didn’t share this earlier because I was scared and didn’t know who could help."