Knock Knock! Social Nation is back with a new episode in the video podcast series – The Social Nation Show. Streaming on Spotify, the podcast is produced by the best in the business: Pod.One. The Social Nation Show brings you the stories behind India’s most popular content creators.
We take you behind the scenes to explore the personal and professional lives that shape the vibrant Indian creator economy. In our fourteenth episode, we’re thrilled to feature the ultimate Gen Z sensation, the unapologetically real content creator and actor, Kareema Barry!
Episode 14
So far you got to know Shayan Roy, Aadil Khan & Anushka Kaushik on a deeper level on The Social Nation Show. Next up we have the widely loved creator-actor, our favourite Kareema Barry! While we love her hilarious & unimaginable content, how interesting would it be to know more about her world? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered!
In this episode, Kareema shares….more of ‘yaps’ on how she builds various quirky characters, her love for girl besties, and the secret sauce behind getting her a Netflix debut in Masaba Masaba. Discover more of her journey from Kolkata to Mumbai, the evolution of content, and how to be constantly viral on Instagram.
Who Is Kareema Barry Beyond Instagram?
Being all sassy, bougie, & yappy, we wondered who Kareema Barry really is beyond Instagram. So we asked her what was she like before social media? Karima Barry reveals she’s essentially the same person online and offline. Her audience was smaller—just friends and family—before her online presence grew.
“Although I was always interested in entertainment, I never saw it as a viable career at first. My dad, with his humor and lively personality, was a big inspiration for me. Growing up, I was always the center of attention at parties, dancing and performing, while my sister was more reserved,” Kareema said.
Also Read: From The Creator-Verse: Celebrating Big Moves
Virality Moment
When Kareema’s “Until Tomorrow” challenge went viral, her life changed dramatically. Initially focused on designing a debate app during an internship, she unexpectedly transitioned into content creation. The challenge, a viral Instagram trend of posting goofy photos, led her to share humorous videos instead. This shift resulted in a move to Mumbai & a comedy career, a stark contrast to her initial aspirations of becoming a professor or journalist.
Evolving Content: From Fun To Focused
Kareema acknowledges her content has evolved significantly since her early days. Initially, she wasn’t fully aware of her direction or style. Now, she views content creation as a serious profession, focusing on effort and energy. She’s also started scripting her videos, although she still values spontaneous, unscripted content for its authenticity and humor.
Character Inspiration From Us?!
Kareema draws inspiration for her characters from real-life quirks and traits. Observing the peculiarities of people she knows, she creates relatable, comedic personas. She finds humor in the shared human experience and believes that while everyone has unique traits, many experiences are universal.
“Yes! It’s you guys. People have many unique traits and quirks that you notice in your friends, leading you to categorize them in certain ways. I believe that when we label people with stereotypes, it reflects a lack of original thought, which the internet has highlighted. It often feels like we are all living similar lives,” she said.
Friendship Dynamics
Despite working with many friends who are also creators, Kareema notes that their industry connections haven’t negatively impacted their relationships. They maintain a fun and supportive environment, collaborating organically rather than forcing projects. This balance between friendship and work contributes to a positive, productive dynamic.
“Not really, we got lucky with the kind of people we are, ’cause maybe we don’t care much! We are prone to ‘let it go” attitude. My friends Sakshi Shivdasani, Aaliyah Kashyap, and Ida Ali started hanging out a while ago, and we create content during our lunches with quick ideas. This easygoing approach doesn’t affect us, as we maintain a strong sense of camaraderie, even when it comes to brand partnerships,” she said.
Navigating Collaborations As A New Creator
For new creators, the pressure to collaborate is stronger than ever. But how should they approach this? Kareema said, “The best strategy for me is to seek out creators I naturally vibe with. When I see someone and think, ‘I could be friends with this person,’ that’s usually a good sign to consider collaborating.
The most successful content I’ve created has often come from genuine connections with others. I don’t always have to build a deep friendship outside of work; sometimes, just having a good vibe during the collaboration is enough.
Striking a balance between finding friends and content collaborators has been key for me, especially when I was just starting.”
Who Influences Kareema To Make Such Content?
Kareema expressed, “Kusha Kapila is my favorite creator, citing her significant influence on my comedic style, so that’s true. Kusha, along with creators like Dolly Singh and Ankush Bahuguna, were among the first content creators in India and have had a major impact on me. If I were to add an international creator to the mix, it would be Caitlyn Riley, who shares a similar style.”
From Aspiring Journalist To Content Creator
In a past interview with the Telegraph, she mentioned wanting to be a journalist. Kareema elaborated, “While my path has since shifted, I’ve found a platform where I can still communicate my thoughts & make a difference. I’m conscious of the responsibility I hold over my audience, especially when it comes to branded collaborations. I ensure that I’m promoting products I believe in, asking the right questions, and maintaining the ethics of my work. Even in this new and evolving industry, curiosity and thoroughness are key.”
Chatting About Her Netflix Debut🎥
You read it right! Recently, Kareema made her Netflix debut in the show “Masaba Masaba.” Initially, when she was offered the role of Qayanaat. “I found the character relatable and really enjoyed the process of building the role. Even though I was new to acting and hit some logistical bumps, the whole experience was epic and worth it. Yeah, I was nervous before filming, but it turned out to be super fun and fulfilling. Watching the final edits was such a win!“
Where Can You Watch The Social Nation Show?
The Social Nation Show will be available on all leading audio and video platforms on Social Nation’s official channels. The video podcasts will be distributed on Social Nation’s Spotify and YouTube handles, whereas the audio podcasts will also be available on Apple Podcast, JioSaavn, Amazon Music, and Gaana platforms. Catch the best moments of each episode on our Instagram and YouTube Shorts too!
