From radio intern to the first Indian on TIME100 Creators

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Prajakta Koli transformed a YouTube channel into a global platform for social advocacy. By blending mainstream acting with digital influence, she moved from local content creation to advising at the United Nations and collaborating with world leaders like Michelle Obama.

Prajakta Koli's trajectory illustrates the evolution of the modern 'content creator' from a niche hobbyist to a recognized geopolitical influencer. Koli established MostlySane during February 2015, following her initial internship at Mumbai's Fever 104 FM radio station. Her rise was accelerated by strategic high-profile moments, such as being selected by former YouTube CEO Susan Wojciki in April 2019 to host her first interaction with an Indian YouTuber. This platform, the "Real Talk Tuesday" series, eventually hosted global figures like Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Sadhguru.

Beyond entertainment, Koli has leveraged her reach to tackle systemic issues like mental health and climate change. In 2016, she launched the iPledgeToBeMe campaign to address body shaming and mental well-being, later releasing a rap song titled "Shameless" in 2017. Her environmental advocacy led to her appointment as UNDP India's first Youth Climate Champion in January 2022 and a role in TED's 'Countdown' campaign alongside figures like Al Gore and Chris Hemsworth.

These efforts culminated in her being recognized as a Climate Influencer of the Year by NDTV in March 2024. Her influence is now validated by traditional and global institutions. In July 2025, she became the first Indian content creator featured on the TIME100 Creators list. She has also represented India at the United Nations, participating in the International Day of Tolerance and the Goalkeepers program. Her multi-hyphenate career—spanning a romance novel that sold 150,000 copies in its first month, a starring role in the Netflix series Mismatched, and a seat on the 2022-24 Goalkeepers Advisory Group—demonstrates a shift where digital creators now hold significant seats at the table of global discourse.

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