A penchant for cooking has transformed a teacher into the richest Indian female YouTuber.
Republic World reported that Ms Nisha Madhulika is one of the foremost names in Indian digital media today.
The 65-year-old has carved her own niche through her channel “Nisha Madhulika”, which has become synonymous with providing recipes on delicious, home-style Indian cuisine.
Her simple, relatable recipes, presented in clear, step-by-step videos, has resonated with millions of viewers, particularly those who prefer cooking tips given in Hindi.
According to Republic World, Ms Madhulika has amassed a fortune worth Rs43 crore ($6.8 million).
She started her YouTube channel in 2011, and has since garnered over 14.5 million subscribers, making her one of India’s most popular content creators – owing much to her engaging style and focus on authentic, home-cooked meals.
Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Ms Madhulika was once a full-time teacher before she ventured into the world of content creation.
She moved to Noida, near New Delhi, to assist her husband M.S. Gupta with building his business and, while raising their two children, nurtured her passion for cooking which she turned into a profitable venture.
What started as a way to combat loneliness after her children left home for school blossomed into a full-fledged career.
Her big break came in 2017 when she was recognised as the “Top YouTube Cooking Content Creator” at the Social Media Summit & Awards.
She also participated in YouTube’s #SeeSomethingNew campaign, highlighting her prominence in the culinary space.
Major Indian publications, such as The Economic Times, have included her in their lists of “India’s Top 10 YouTube Superstars”.
She has posted more than 2,300 videos, which include recipes ranging from snacks to sweets and everyday food, made using easily available ingredients.
Sharing her mission to “bring taste and joy to every home”, Ms Madhulika told Republic World that regularity and maintaining a strong connection with one’s audience is important to be successful on YouTube.
Beyond her culinary influence, she also uses her platform for greater social good. She actively supports Tata Trusts’ Project Druv, which seeks to provide Internet access to rural areas in India, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact beyond her culinary work.
