‘So Be It’: Bhuvan Bam’s fiery response to Pakistani follower sparks online support

New Delhi: Bhuvan Bam, one of India’s most popular digital creators and the face behind the hit YouTube channel "BB Ki Vines," has found himself at the centre of a cross-border social media moment. 

Known for his sharp humour and relatable characters, Bam recently drew widespread praise for his unapologetic response to a Pakistani follower amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

The incident unfolded when a Pakistani user commented on Bam’s Instagram post about the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, which has intensified following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. 

The user wrote, “Sorry, Bhuvan Bhaiya, unfollowing you,” to which Bam responded sharply, “Bhai, if standing tall with my country means losing followers, then so be it.”

This exchange quickly gained traction, resonating with Indian audiences who hailed Bam’s stance as a powerful example of digital patriotism. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) buzzed with support, with one user writing, “Bhuvan Bam won crores of Indian hearts—digital patriotism at its best.”

Interestingly, Bam’s rise to fame is deeply tied to his early Pakistani audience. In a 2024 GroupM Brew panel discussion, the 30-year-old content creator revealed that his fourth video on BB Ki Vines went viral at a university in Karachi, sparking a surge of over 25,000 followers on Facebook overnight. “Back then, when BB Ki Vines hit a million followers in 2016, 99% of my audience was from Pakistan,” Bam said, reflecting on his early days as a content creator. “People in India even thought I was born and raised in Karachi.”

Bam’s initial success was fueled by Pakistani viewers who connected with his raw, North Indian-style humour, which mirrored cultural nuances familiar to them. Today, with over 26.4 million YouTube subscribers and a reported net worth of Rs 122 crore, Bam stands as India’s richest YouTuber. 

His channel, launched in 2015, has amassed 4.9 billion views across 192 videos, blending comedy with social satire and evolving into mainstream stardom with OTT hits like Taaza Khabar and Rafta Rafta.

From singing at a Delhi Mughlai restaurant for Rs 5,000 a month to collaborating with icons like Amitabh Bachchan and Shraddha Kapoor, Bam’s journey has redefined digital celebrity in India. His recent exchange serves as a reminder of his journey from cross-border fame to a national digital icon unafraid to take a stand.

Bam’s candid response also highlights a broader trend, as public figures navigate the fine line between maintaining cross-border fanbases and standing firm on national issues. Celebrities like Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Rupali Ganguly have similarly drawn praise for bold replies to trolls, while others, like Harshvardhan Rane, have publicly distanced themselves from Pakistani co-stars amid the escalating tension.