Karishma Mehta, born on March 5, 1992, in Mumbai, India, is a renowned writer and photographer who became the driving force behind one of India’s most popular storytelling platforms — Humans of Bombay (HoB). Known for sharing the untold stories of Mumbai’s residents, Mehta’s journey is a blend of creativity, passion, and entrepreneurship.
Early Life and Education
Karishma Mehta was born and raised in Mumbai, a city that has had a profound influence on her career and creative vision. She attended the prestigious Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, before pursuing her higher education at a boarding school in Bengaluru. Mehta later moved to the UK for her college years, where she completed a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Nottingham. Her educational background laid the foundation for her sharp business acumen, which she would later apply to Humans of Bombay.
The Birth of Humans of Bombay
In January 2014, at the age of 21, Karishma Mehta launched Humans of Bombay, a Facebook page inspired by Humans of New York (HoNY) created by Brandon Stanton. What began as a humble initiative to showcase the stories of ordinary Mumbaikars quickly gained traction. Mehta’s ability to capture the essence of the human experience through photos and narratives resonated with people across India and around the world.
Initially, Mehta used her Canon semi-professional camera to take photographs of strangers in the streets of Mumbai, often engaging them in conversations about their lives, struggles, and dreams. Her approachable personality and storytelling style made the platform stand out. By 2018, Humans of Bombay had amassed over 1 million followers on Facebook, with even greater success on Instagram, where it has over 2 million followers today.
Achievements and Expansion
Mehta’s impact didn’t stop at social media. In 2016, she compiled some of the most powerful stories from her platform into a self-published book, Humans of Bombay, which became a hit among readers. The book, which features both online and unpublished stories, allowed her to take the project to new heights and raised funds to support the platform’s operations.
In 2022, Karishma expanded her brand by launching a YouTube web series titled How the Hell Did I Do It?, where she interviews entrepreneurs, celebrities, and other successful individuals to share insights into their journeys. Through this series, Mehta has continued her mission to inspire others and bring real stories to a global audience.
Professional and Personal Life
Beyond Humans of Bombay, Karishma is a freelance writer whose work has been featured in high-profile publications such as National Geographic. She is also a sought-after speaker, having given talks at TEDx and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Despite her success, Mehta remains grounded and often credits her Mumbai roots for her resilience and drive.
Fluent in Hindi, Marathi, and English, she is deeply connected to the culture and spirit of her city, which is reflected in her storytelling. As of now, Mehta continues to live in Mumbai, where she manages the day-to-day operations of Humans of Bombay and its growing team.
The Humans of Bombay Controversy
In 2023, Karishma Mehta and Humans of Bombay found themselves at the center of controversy after filing a lawsuit against People of India (POI), a platform that shares similar content. The lawsuit, which accused POI of plagiarism, sparked debates across social media, with critics pointing out the similarities between Mehta’s project and Humans of New York. The controversy escalated when Brandon Stanton, the founder of HoNY, publicly criticized Mehta for the lawsuit, calling it hypocritical. Despite the criticism, Mehta clarified that the issue was not about storytelling but about protecting the intellectual property (IP) of her team’s hard work.
Personal Philosophy and Legacy
Karishma Mehta’s journey is one of persistence, passion, and a deep belief in the power of stories. Through Humans of Bombay, she has not only given a voice to countless people from all walks of life but has also sparked a larger conversation about empathy, struggles, and triumphs. She believes that storytelling can change the world, and her platform continues to inspire millions to connect with one another on a human level.
Her impact on digital storytelling and her role as a young female entrepreneur have made her a prominent figure in the media and social media landscape. Mehta’s ability to merge business with creativity has set a new standard for online platforms in India.
Conclusion
Karishma Mehta is much more than the founder of Humans of Bombay. She is a storyteller, a photographer, and an entrepreneur whose work has touched millions. From launching a Facebook page at 21 to expanding her platform into a book, a YouTube series, and a movement that celebrates humanity, Mehta’s journey is a testament to the power of storytelling in shaping culture and society.
As she continues to grow her brand and face challenges, Mehta remains dedicated to her mission of sharing human stories, and her legacy is bound to inspire future generations of storytellers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Karishma Mehta?
Karishma Mehta is the founder of the popular storytelling platform *Humans of Bombay*, which she started in 2014 to share powerful and relatable stories of people from Mumbai. She is a writer and photographer who has become an influential entrepreneur in India.
2. What inspired Karishma Mehta to start *Humans of Bombay*?
Mehta was inspired by the *Humans of New York* (HONY) platform founded by Brandon Stanton. After discovering HONY in 2013, she wanted to create a similar platform to highlight the diverse and untold stories of Mumbai’s residents.
3. What is the controversy surrounding *Humans of Bombay*?
In 2023, *Humans of Bombay* faced backlash and criticism after filing a lawsuit against *People of India* (POI), a platform with a similar concept. The lawsuit accused POI of plagiarism, which sparked debates and led to a larger conversation about originality and inspiration in digital storytelling.
4. How has Karishma Mehta contributed to social causes?
Mehta has used *Humans of Bombay* to highlight social issues such as the struggles of sex workers’ children, drug addiction, and abuse. Her storytelling has raised funds for various causes, including donations to NGOs like Kranti, which helps children of sex workers.
5. What are Karishma Mehta’s future plans for *Humans of Bombay*?
Karishma plans to expand *Humans of Bombay* by publishing the stories in multiple languages and possibly starting a podcast or video series. She aims to take the platform beyond social media and make the stories accessible to a global audience.