Kulsum: I Don’t Want to Limit Myself to Just One Niche (Creator - Self Growth, Comedy, Fashion, 126K Followers)

"It took a long time to find my identity on Instagram, and I wouldn't say that I've already found it either. I'm still trying to search for it."

 

Q. You describe yourself on Instagram as “my own niche” — can you tell us more about who Kulsum is beyond the handle? What shaped your identity as a creator?

So, by my own niche, I basically mean that I have a lot of interest and I don't want to limit myself to comedy, which was my basic niche. I love makeup, I love fashion, and I am also really into fitness, so I want to do all of it. I don't want to limit myself and see there's nothing beyond the handle.

Even though I have my Instagram, I am a very private person. People know don't know many details about my life, except for my person I'm getting married to, who is also in the public eye, but I don't like to share a lot on social media about my personal life. Instead, I want to share my interests, my hobbies, and my degree, which is in fashion.

Q. What inspired you to start creating content on Instagram? Was there a defining moment when you realised this could be more than just posting for fun?

So as a teen, I used to watch a lot of Lilly Singh, and I used to love her content, to be very honest. She's not my favourite anymore, but back then I loved her content. So when I was thinking of starting my content, I wanted to be like Lilly Singh, and my initial videos were like hers, but eventually I found my own style, and I realised that I'm not like her, I'm my own person, and I changed accordingly. 

So yeah, it took a long time to find my identity on Instagram, and I wouldn't say that I've already found it either. I'm still trying to search for it. Okay, so the defining moment was basically a scam that happened to me. So yeah, I've never really told this to anyone. 

So back in the day, this really shady app sort of came to me for a so-called collaboration. Now, this was an app that was something like an OnlyFans app, and before then, I was just posting for fun. This app reached out to me, and it was like, I was very excited because I think this was my second, third collaboration, and they were giving me a lot of money, but you know, later I found out that I didn't join the app. 

I sort of subscribed to one of these girls who was on that app, and you know, I saw their content, and I realised, oh my god, this is not normal content. So yeah, I mean, so basically the apps are, you know, trafficking girls, online trafficking girls. So when that happened, I was really shocked and scared, and for a few months, I didn't create content, but then I realised that, you know, I can't be stopped, or I can't feel bad because some asshole tried to make me feel like shit and make me feel like an object. 

So then I seriously started creating, thinking that I'm gonna show all of these idiots what I can do. So yeah, it was something like that. When I look back, I think that it was a tough time for me, but it was a very emotional decision to take this forward, and I'm very happy I did.

Q. You host the “Can I Check Your Phone” podcast with Jasmeet — how did you come up with the concept, and what has been the most surprising or challenging thing?

So, can I check your phone is like a venture my husband is having? It's a couple of podcasts I wanted to have a podcast from as long as I can remember. I remember my first job, I pitched it to my boss, even he agreed to it, then the management changed, and I felt so bad that I couldn't do it anymore, so I literally left that job. So I always wanted to start a podcast. 

Then I asked my back then boyfriend, Let's do it. He didn't agree then, but right now he was like, you know what, let's try it out. He started his own podcast with a couple of his friends. It's called in the air and drop, and he realised that he's having a lot of fun there. So he wanted to make one with me also. 

So we sort of came up with it. We had a few ideas, and we thought that this is the most fun one, it can be me something of a meme reaction and also sort of understanding our daily or weekly algorithms, which honestly tells a lot about a person. So and running it is challenging to the least. We are the producers, directors, DOPs, writers and everything else. So, yeah, it's been difficult, but it's been the most fun thing that I've ever done. Hopefully, that will grow to the levels that we want.

Q. With 122K+ followers, what do you feel is the most meaningful connection you have with your community? Is there a piece of feedback or a comment that’s stuck with you?

So I honestly don't get a lot of feedback, but I do get very funny comments with stick with me. I remember this one was funny and hurtful at the same time. Someone told me about you in my starting stages. I think I had like 10 K followers, and someone told me that you act like Varun Dhawan, and I was so sad about it. I actually tried learning acting, and I saw some tutorials online to get better at it, but yeah, I always remember that comment and laugh now because, oh my God, what even does that mean?

Q. If you could invent a viral Instagram trend tomorrow, what would it be?

So honestly, I personally feel that trends are not the best way to go as a person I am very against trends, even though sometimes for engagement on social media, I do it, but when it comes to fashion make up everything, I want to find my own style and just go buy it, you know not follow some random people on the internet and do things because it's a trend. 

Most people who turn into trends are the people who just did what they loved. So yeah, I would say to everyone that just do what you love and maybe you will become a trendsetter, but I do have a property where I do my make-up and my boyfriend treats it like a wall painting like painting your wall and it's pretty funny, and I would really want to see other people make these kind of videos with their boyfriends and husbands, it would be super funny to hear all of these-Amazing people making amazing references.

Bio

Kulsum, popularly known as comfortablythick, is a digital creator who has carved her own niche on Instagram through candid storytelling, relatable humour, and unfiltered conversations about life, relationships, and self-growth. Known for blending authenticity with entertainment, her content often reflects everyday realities from personal glow-up journeys to couple dynamics resonating strongly with a young, urban audience.

Through her honest approach and strong on-screen presence, Kulsum has built a loyal community that values realness over perfection, making her one of the most relatable voices in the Indian creator space today.

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Interviewed By Tarunanshi Sharma