iWorld
Social media influencers redefine power in Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 Top 100
MUMBAI: Who holds power in India today? Politicians, business tycoons, and cinema stars may still dominate the limelight, but the rise of digital creators is rewriting the playbook of influence.
The Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 List of the 100 Most Influential People has brought this shift into sharp focus, featuring 16 social media influencers alongside the likes of prime minister Narendra Modi, Indian cinema icon Shah Rukh Khan, and business mogul Gautam Adani.
This evolution, driven by the Rs 12,000 crore creator economy and India’s insatiable appetite for digital content, reflects a new era where relatability often trumps legacy. The list, compiled from insights of 30,790 respondents and deliberations by an esteemed jury, celebrates individuals across politics, entertainment, business, startups, and more, offering a vivid snapshot of India’s changing influence landscape.
The 2024 Bharat Dialogues List signals a seismic shift. Where once influence rested solely in the hands of politicians (24 on the list), industrialists (18), and cinema stars (12), creators like Ankur Warikoo, Raj Shamani, and Urfi Javed now share the spotlight.
“These creators don’t just entertain,” said Bharat Dialogues co-founder Vivek Satya Mitram, “they connect deeply with audiences, shattering traditional hierarchies of power.”
Take Ranvir Allahabadia, a fitness entrepreneur turned motivational force, or Dolly Chaiwala, whose satirical commentary draws a massive 10-million-strong following. They don’t merely inspire; they engage, offering something legacy figures often struggle to match: authenticity.
Creators vs Titans
The list paints an intriguing juxtaposition:
. Politicians: With Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath dominating governance, their influence stems from shaping policy and public narratives. But creators bring a fresh voice to grassroots issues, connecting directly with audiences often underserved by traditional media.
. Business leaders: Industrialists like Gautam Adani and Falguni Nayar continue to drive economic innovation. Yet influencers like Ashneer Grover blend entrepreneurial grit with digital savvy, reaching millions through bold, relatable content.
. Cinema celebrities: While Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone command cultural clout, influencers like Urfi Javed redefine stardom by shunning convention and celebrating individuality.
Digital creators thrive in a space where relatability trumps wealth or authority. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram have removed gatekeepers, empowering figures like Acharya Dhirendra Shastri to merge spirituality with digital innovation, or Ankur Warikoo to transform financial literacy into an engaging digital movement.
“Influence has shifted from boardrooms and red carpets to smartphones and social feeds,” observed Bharat Dialogues co-founder Pooja Priyamvada.
By the numbers:
. India’s creator economy grew by 25 per cent in 2024, reaching a staggering Rs 12,000 crore.
. Social media advertising now accounts for 35 per cent of India’s total ad spend, reflecting brands’ increasing reliance on influencers.
. Influencers generate 60 per cent higher engagement than traditional celebrity endorsements.
As digital consumption surges, this trend shows no signs of slowing. With younger generations driving content trends, creators like Raj Shamani-a voice for entrepreneurial aspirations—are not just reshaping influence; they’re redefining it entirely.
“Creators are more than disruptors,” said Vivek. “They’re the architects of a cultural shift that will continue to reshape India’s socio-economic fabric.”
As India stands on the cusp of this transformation, Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 list offers more than a snapshot—it captures a nation in transition, where influence is no longer inherited but earned in the hearts of millions.
Explore the full list here: Bharat Dialogues Top 100
iWorld
Netflix cuts jobs in product division amid restructuring
Layoffs hit creative studio unit as leadership and strategy shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: The streaming wars may be fought on screen, but the latest plot twist is unfolding behind the scenes. Netflix has reportedly begun laying off several dozen employees from its product division as part of an internal reorganisation, according to a report by Variety. The cuts are believed to have primarily affected the company’s creative studio unit, which works on marketing assets such as in app trailers, promotional visuals and live experience content for the streaming platform.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of employees impacted.
According to the report, the layoffs were not tied to employee performance. Instead, the restructuring eliminated certain roles while other employees were reassigned to different teams within the organisation.
The roles affected are understood to include designers, producers and creative specialists responsible for marketing and brand experience initiatives.
The job cuts come as Netflix adjusts its leadership structure and reshapes its product and creative teams. Last month, Elizabeth Stone was promoted from chief technology officer to chief product and technology officer, giving her oversight of product, engineering and data operations across the company.
Earlier, in December 2025, Netflix also appointed Martin Rose as head of creative for global brand and partnerships, a move seen as part of a broader restructuring of the company’s brand and product functions.
Despite the layoffs, Netflix remains one of the largest employers in the streaming sector. The company is estimated to employ around 16,000 people globally, with roughly 70 percent of its workforce based in the United States and Canada. In 2023, the company reported approximately 13,000 employees, indicating that its headcount had grown significantly before the latest restructuring.
The workforce changes arrive at a time when Netflix is navigating a shifting financial and strategic landscape in the global entertainment industry.
The streaming giant recently secured $2.8 billion in additional cash after receiving a breakup fee from Paramount Skydance following its withdrawal from a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Netflix co chief executive Ted Sarandos explained that the company had evaluated multiple scenarios during the negotiations but chose not to match the competing offer once it learned that a higher bid had been submitted.
Netflix had capped its offer at $27.75 per share and ultimately stepped back rather than pursue Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition deal, which included a personal guarantee.
Sarandos also cautioned that the financing structure behind the Paramount Skydance transaction could have ripple effects across the entertainment industry.
According to him, the debt heavy deal could trigger significant cost cutting, with David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, expected to eliminate about $16 billion in costs and potentially cut thousands of jobs as part of the integration process.
For Netflix, the current restructuring appears to be part of a broader attempt to streamline operations while continuing to invest in product, technology and global content even as the streaming industry enters a new phase of consolidation and financial discipline.
