From Diljit To Manu Bhaker: A Glimpse Into Instagram's 2024 Year-in-Review

At the Meta Festival in Mumbai, Instagram launched its 2024 Year-in-Review, spotlighting a year of unparalleled creativity, innovation, and global recognition for India’s cultural landscape.

Global Collaborations Take Center Stage

Instagram celebrated Indian artists’ growing global influence in 2024, showcasing high-profile collaborations. Highlights included Diljit Dosanjh teaming up with Saweetie for Khutti, King joining forces with Nick Jonas for Maan Meri Jaan, and Harsh Likhari collaborating with Connor Price on Customs.

Indian Trends Captivate Global Audiences

Indian trends resonated worldwide in 2024. The Asoka makeup trend gained traction among creators in Indonesia, Nigeria, and Slovakia. Japanese creators delighted audiences by lip-syncing Bollywood dialogues, while international influencers like Drew Hicks and Agu Stanley embraced Indian languages in their content, fostering cultural exchange.

A Melodic Year for India

India’s diverse scene flourished in 2024, with both mainstream and regional tracks achieving global recognition. Viral hits included Big Dawgs and Taambdi Chaambdi. Regional tracks also saw remarkable engagement:

• Jale 2 (Haryanvi): 9.7 million reels
• Ve Haaniyaan (Punjabi): 3.9 million reels
• Gulabi Sadi (Marathi): 3.8 million reels
• Aasa Kooda (Tamil): 1.8 million reels
• Bandookk (Bhojpuri): 1.7 million reels

Other notable tracks driving engagement were Tauba Tauba from Bad Newz (3 million reels), Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2 (2.3 million reels), and Nadaaniyan by Akshath Acharya (2.2 million reels).

Cinema and TV: Nostalgia Meets New Stories

The entertainment industry celebrated a blend of nostalgia and fresh narratives. Re-releases of iconic films like Rockstar and Laila Majnu rekindled fond memories, while fans celebrated the 30th anniversary of FRIENDS. Memes from Hera Pheri continued to dominate social media, affirming its enduring appeal.

New releases made waves, with Mirzapur Season 3, Panchayat Season 3, and Laapataa Ladies earning widespread acclaim. Notably, Laapataa Ladies was also selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars.

Sports: A Year of Victories

Indian sports enthusiasts had much to celebrate in 2024. The Indian team enjoyed passionate support during the T20 World , while Olympians Manu Bhaker and Neeraj Chopra were lauded for their exceptional performances. A historic moment arrived with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) claiming the inaugural Women’s Premier League title.

Emerging Stars Shine Bright

2024 saw a new wave of talent rise to prominence, including rapper Hanumankind, content creator Nancy Tyagi, -seller-turned-influencer Dolly Chai Wala, and the spirited Vada Pao Girl. These individuals captivated audiences with their unique skills and stories, embodying the spirit of perseverance and creativity.

A Thrilling Year Ahead

With 2024's achievements setting the stage, India’s cultural and creative landscape continues to evolve, promising more exciting moments in the year to come.