Monalisa, Raju Kalakar, Ranu Mondal: Viral sensations who ruled social media—and what they're doing today

In an industry where stardom is usually built on years of auditions, film debuts, and family legacies, a handful of unlikely names found themselves catapulted into the spotlight overnight—not by producers or casting calls, but by the power of a viral clip.

From a rudraksh seller at the Kumbh Mela to a schoolboy humming in class, and a peanut hawker whose sales pitch became a global dance track, these ordinary faces became extraordinary sensations. But in Bollywood and beyond, virality is only the opening scene. The real story lies in what happens after the likes and shares fade away.

Monalisa Bhonsle (Kumbh Mela rudraksh seller with 'amber eyes')

Before fame: A teenage garland/rudraksh-mala seller from Indore, working stalls at the Maha Kumbh. How she got picked up: In January 2025, short clips of her selling malas at the Kumbh Mela went viral. People were drawn to her calm style and graceful presence, and within days her follower count shot up as birthday wishes and reels celebrating her flooded social media.Claim to fame: Soon, people began calling her the 'Kumbh beauty,' and her videos traveled far beyond the mela through endless reels and reposts. As her following grew, she started sharing a more glamorous side of herself—posing in designer outfits and polished settings. But like many viral stars, the big question remained: could this online buzz truly open the doors to a lasting screen career?Where she is now (2025): Music video debut: Monalisa has starred in a music video titled 'Saadgi', marking her first venture into filmed entertainment.

Film debut underway: She’s been cast in The Diary of Manipur as the leading lady opposite Amit Rao (brother of Rajkummar Rao), under Sanoj Mishra’s direction. The film commenced shooting earlier this year, including a crowd-drawing sequence in Pichore (MP), halting briefly under fan overwhelm.

Raju Kalakar (Raju Bhat) — the 'two stones' singer from Surat

Before fame: Raju was a street performer and puppeteer from Surat, earning a living on the margins. His life changed when a simple clip of him singing the Bewafa Sanam classic “Dil Pe Churiyan Chalai” while tapping rhythm on two chipped stones went viral in mid-2025.

The video crossed 100 million views, and soon even celebrities were sharing it, pushing him into the spotlight.Claim to fame: It was the sheer authenticity—the rough edge in his voice, the simple rhythm of stones—that turned Raju into a national mood for a few weeks. The wave reached its peak when Sonu Nigam himself stepped in, teaming up with him for an official collaboration.

Where he is now (2025): These days, Raju can be seen performing at local events, appearing on influencer pages, and even hinting at professional releases built around his viral track.

Videos show him arriving at shows, meeting established playback singers, and slowly stepping into bigger circles. For now, though, it feels like the industry is testing the waters with him rather than embracing him outright.

Bhuban Badyakar — the 'Kacha Badam' folk hook that went global

Before fame: Bhuban Badyakar was a peanut seller from Birbhum, West Bengal, who came up with a playful jingle—'Kacha Badam'—to draw customers while cycling through villages. In late 2021, short clips of his sing-song sales pitch landed on social media, and almost overnight, the tune turned into a viral sensation across India.How he got picked up: What followed was a whirlwind—remix versions flooded the internet, TV channels booked him, and stage shows started pouring in. Interviews even hinted at performance offers abroad, waiting only on paperwork to take him there.Claim to fame: The catchiness of 'Kacha Badam' made Bhuban a regular face on talk shows and award nights for a while. At the peak of the craze, he even landed a cameo in a daily soap—his first brush with acting.

Where he is now : Today, Bhuban still leans on the 'Kacha Badam' brand, sharing new versions of the song on his Instagram. But the journey hasn’t been smooth—between 2023 and 2024, reports highlighted money troubles and even a rights dispute that, for a time, stopped him from performing his own viral hit on stage. His story has come to feel like a classic cautionary tale of how an overnight sensation doesn’t always translate into long-term success.

Sahdev Dirdo — the school-assembly voice of 'Bachpan Ka Pyaar'

Before fame: Sahdev Dirdo was just a schoolboy in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, when his teacher filmed him singing 'Bachpan Ka Pyaar' in class. The video, reposted endlessly in 2021, turned him into a national meme almost overnight.How he got picked up: When rapper-producer Badshah stepped in with a polished remix and music video, Sahdev suddenly had a real bridge into the industry. The track went on to rack up hundreds of millions of plays and became one of the most unforgettable Reels sounds of that time.Claim to fame: It was the classic child-star viral arc—TV shows, brand cameos, and of course the Badshah collab that firmly tied his face to the song’s hook.

Where he is now: After a much-talked-about road accident in late 2021, Sahdev made a full recovery and has stayed active online. His Instagram still teases 'new music' as of mid-2025, marking his slow shift from a viral schoolkid to a steady teen performer—one whose name the internet hasn’t forgotten.

Ranu Mondal — the Ranaghat station singer who cut tracks in Bollywood

Before fame: A widow from Ranaghat, West Bengal, Ranu Mondal used to sing old Bollywood songs at the railway station to make ends meet. In 2019, a passerby filmed her rendition of 'Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai,' and the clip went viral—suddenly she was on reality shows and recording in Mumbai studios.How she got picked up: Himesh Reshammiya brought her into the studio for multiple tracks in Happy Hardy and Heer (2020), most memorably 'Teri Meri Kahani.'

The media framed it as a fairytale leap—from a railway platform to Bollywood playback almost overnight.Claim to fame: It was the ultimate rags-to-recording-booth story, symbolising the late 2010s dream of viral fame leading straight to Bollywood. A biopic titled Miss Ranu Maria was even announced, with reports in 2022 claiming she had recorded songs for it.

Where she is now : By 2025, she’s resurfacing through viral street clips from Ranaghat, often sparking ‘where is she now?’ stories.

Most reports suggest she’s back in her hometown, doing the odd paid gig or online video, with her social pages flickering on and off. It’s a reminder that one big studio break doesn’t guarantee a permanent place in the industry.

The Pattern Behind the Posts

If there’s one thing these stories prove, it’s that the internet can crown you a star overnight—but it doesn’t promise how long the crown will stay. Each of them had that one raw, unpolished video that caught fire and turned strangers into household names.

But going from viral to valuable is a very different journey.Bhuban learnt it the hard way when legal and money troubles kept him from even singing his own song on stage. Monalisa and Raju, despite millions of views and celeb shoutouts, are still figuring out how to turn curiosity into a career. And for Ranu and Sahdev, the internet remains their lifeline—sometimes they fade, sometimes they pop back into our feeds, but they’re still recognised, still remembered.

Final word

Virality can change lives in a heartbeat, but only a few turn it into lasting success. Whether their fame burned bright or flickered out, Monalisa, Raju, Bhuban, Sahdev, and Ranu have all given us unforgettable moments—proof that sometimes, even a single song or clip is enough to make someone part of pop culture forever.

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