YouTuber, actor, and activist Prajakta Koli has set a new milestone by becoming the first Indian-born creator to secure a place in TIME Magazine’s inaugural TIME100 Creators List. The list celebrates the world’s most impactful digital content creators who are shaping culture, conversations, and communities online.
Released this year, the TIME100 Creators List highlights names from various platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Alongside Koli, the list features influential personalities such as Indian-origin British author Jay Shetty, tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, and TikTok sensation Charli D’Amelio.
Prajakta is the sole creator from India to be featured in this first edition, appearing in the Entertainment category. Other creators honoured in the same section include Taylen Biggs, Taylor Frankie Paul, and poet Heidi Wong.
From YouTube beginnings to acting stardom
Prajakta Koli, widely known online as MostlySane, launched her YouTube channel in 2015. Over the years, she built a loyal audience drawn to her relatable humor and slice-of-life sketches. Today, she boasts more than 7 million subscribers on YouTube and around 8 million followers on Instagram.
Her digital fame opened doors into acting. She made her debut with the 2020 short film Khayali Pulao and gained widespread recognition with her role as Dimple Ahuja in Netflix’s coming-of-age series Mismatched, which has already run for three seasons. She has also appeared in Bollywood films such as Jugjugg Jeeyo and Neeyat, and shows like Zindaginama and Andhera.
Prajakta Koli on the power of authentic storytelling
In an official statement, Koli expressed gratitude over the recognition, calling it “both humbling and incredibly meaningful.” She said,
“This represents not just my journey, but the power of authentic storytelling and the responsibility that comes with having a platform. I’ve always believed that creators can drive meaningful conversations and inspire positive change.”
She added that the honour strengthens her commitment to using her platform to advocate for causes she believes in, including climate action, education, and mental health awareness.
Apart from her comedic sketches and acting projects, Prajakta is known for supporting social impact campaigns. She has partnered with initiatives such as YouTube’s Creators for Change and Project DRUV, amplifying messages around gender equality and online kindness.
Her inclusion in TIME’s list not only cements her influence as an entertainer but also spotlights her role as a changemaker using digital media to drive social dialogue.
