“We had no mentors, no map—just a dream to travel the world and rewrite the rules. Today, we’re still doing it, one passport stamp at a time.”
1. Who is Savi Munjal when she's not exploring a new country or curating dreamy reels?
Living the slow life! While I absolutely love traveling, when I’m not discovering new places or indulging in new cuisines, I truly enjoy slow, intentional days spent with my loved ones. Cooking my favorite meals, nurturing small dreams, and embracing a mindful routine—these are what bring me joy. Living each day with purpose has always been, and will always be, a top priority for me.
2. How did Bruised Passports begin, and what were the early challenges?
Both my husband and I come from middle-class, professional families. We studied hard, pursued full-time careers, and spent a significant portion of our savings and annual leave on travel—exploring everywhere from Asia to Europe. But as Indian passport holders, we noticed a glaring lack of accessible travel content for people like us—Indians wanting to explore offbeat global destinations.
That’s when we decided to share our travel tips and stories on our website. Once Instagram launched, we saw an opportunity to change how Indians travel and connect with the world.
We juggled our full-time jobs and travel blogging for several years before making content creation our profession. It was a scary leap—especially at a time when the word influencer didn't even exist. There were no mentors, no templates to follow, and certainly no roadmap. But that’s also what made the journey thrilling.
We stayed intentional, saved aggressively for future travels, and made a joint decision to chase our dream of building a location-independent life. It was equal parts challenging and exhilarating.
3. What have your travels taught you about yourself and the world?
Travel has been my greatest teacher. Over the years, it has taught me countless lessons, but the most profound one is to be open-minded and less judgmental.
We all grow up with preconceived notions—about people, cultures, countries. But when you travel, you see firsthand how similar we all are. No matter where you go, people are fundamentally seeking the same things: love, respect, connection, and a sense of belonging. That realization changes you deeply.
4. How do you balance authenticity and aesthetics in the influencer space?
That balance looks different for everyone, but for us, it starts with being led by our creative instincts rather than fleeting trends. We only collaborate with brands we’ve personally used and loved over time—whether it’s clothing, hotels, airlines, travel gear, or skincare. This means saying no to a lot of well-paid offers, but we’ve always prioritized trust and authenticity over short-term gains.
We believe influencers have a responsibility—one that’s often underestimated. As creators, we’re passionate about making content that’s cinematic and aesthetically pleasing, yes—but also educational, responsible, and impactful.
Whenever we travel, we make it a point to support local businesses and encourage responsible tourism. We also believe deeply in access to education. That’s why we regularly organize fundraisers to help build schools and computer labs for children in India who otherwise wouldn’t have access to learning.
To me, good content should be inspiring, visually captivating, and informative—it should leave the viewer with something to think about. That’s always been our north star.
5. What's the biggest myth about full-time travel?
That it’s a never-ending vacation! The truth is, full-time travel requires immense adaptability and an open mindset. Your sleep patterns, meals, surroundings—even the people you're around—change constantly. You’re always stepping outside your comfort zone. While that excites me, it’s not for everyone.
Working on the go adds another layer of complexity. You need a high level of self-discipline to stay productive in unfamiliar environments—often scenic ones that tempt you to slow down. Content creation while traveling is as demanding as any traditional job, if not more. We still work 10–12 hours a day on average—more than we did in our corporate jobs!
But over time, we’ve found a rhythm that plays to our strengths and allows us to maintain flexibility depending on where we are in the world.
6. One underrated destination you'd urge everyone to explore?
Slovenia! It’s absolutely breathtaking—no matter the season. Whether you visit in the heart of winter or the height of summer, the landscapes are stunning. It offers all the charm of popular European countries like Switzerland, France, or Norway—but it’s far more affordable. A true hidden gem!
7. If your travel journey were a passport stamp, what would it say?
"I did it my way."
Because that’s exactly how I’ve lived—on my own terms, with intention and passion. My mission is not to chase likes or followers; it’s to inspire people to believe in their dreams and the power of hard work. I want to leave behind a legacy of purpose and possibility.
Bio:
Dr. Savi Munjal, Academic, philanthropist, entrepreneur, investor, and travel visionary, Dr. Savi Munjal is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. A former faculty member at Delhi University, she went on to co-found Bruised Passports, a platform that has revolutionized how millions perceive and experience travel.
Dr. Munjal has received numerous accolades for her innovative approach to content creation and entrepreneurship. In addition to running a successful travel brand, she is the founder of her own line of travel accessories and the author of the best-selling book Bruised Passports.
Deeply committed to education, she leverages her platform to support underprivileged children in India by providing access to computers and STEM labs—continuing her mission to empower through knowledge and meaningful impact.
Interviewed by: Gurbani Kaur
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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