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Instagram is no longer just a photo-sharing platform; it’s a powerhouse of influence, branding, and business. In India, with over 350 million users on Instagram as of 2025, the platform has become a key space for celebrities, influencers, and creators to build their brand and connect with audiences. This article shows the list of the top 10 most followers on Instagram in India.
Importance of Instagram Followers in India
Why are follower counts significant?
- Social Credibility: High numbers signal influence and authority.
- Marketing Potential: Brands choose influencers with big reach.
- Business Monetisation: More followers = more revenue via ads, collabs, and promotions.
- Cultural Impact: Celebrities shape trends, fashion, and public discourse.
Trends in Instagram Popularity in India (2025)
Instagram trends evolve fast. Here’s what’s hot right now:
- Short-form video rules: Reels outperform other content formats.
- Niche creators rising: Micro-influencers in travel, food, and finance are booming.
- Interactive content wins: Polls, quizzes, and Q&A boost engagement.
- Regional content surge: Creators in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and Marathi are seeing explosive growth.
- Brand-influencer collabs: Almost every major brand is using influencer marketing in India.
Top 10 Most Followers on Instagram in India (2025)
| Rank | Name | Profession | Instagram Handle | Followers (May 2025) | Key Highlights |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Cricketer | @virat.kohli | 298 Million | Global cricket icon, co-founder of One8, brand deals with Puma & Audi |
| 2 | Priyanka Chopra Jonas | Actress, Global Icon | @priyankachopra | 167 Million | Works in Bollywood & Hollywood, married to Nick Jonas, brand face globally |
| 3 | Shraddha Kapoor | Actress | @shraddhakapoor | 88 Million | Relatable content, high engagement, animal welfare advocate |
| 4 | Alia Bhatt | Actress, Entrepreneur | @aliaabhatt | 84 Million | Founder of Ed-a-Mamma, known for fashion & motherhood posts |
| 5 | Narendra Modi | Prime Minister of India | @narendramodi | 82 Million | Most-followed politician shares governance updates & national campaigns |
| 6 | Deepika Padukone | Actress, Advocate | @deepikapadukone | 79 Million | Mental health activist, luxury brand ambassador, founder of LLF |
| 7 | Neha Kakkar | Singer | @nehakakkar | 77 Million | Top playback singer, musical reels, high youth following |
| 8 | Jacqueline Fernandez | Actress | @jacquelinef143 | 75 Million | High-glam fashion and fitness content, brand collaborations |
| 9 | Disha Patani | Actress | @dishapatani | 73 Million | Fitness influencer, dance videos, massive Gen Z following |
| 10 | Katrina Kaif | Actress, Entrepreneur | @katrinakaif | 71 Million | Founder of Kay Beauty, fashion and lifestyle influencer |
Comparison with Global Trends
When comparing who has the most followers on Instagram in India to global trends, several key differences and similarities become clear. While global Instagram usage-especially in regions like North America, Europe, and Latin America-continues to grow steadily, India’s user growth has surged ahead due to increased smartphone penetration, affordable data, and a large young population. Instagram now plays a major role in India’s digital economy, with over 350 million active users as of 2025.
Content Diversity: Globally, Instagram content often focuses on high-quality travel, luxury lifestyle, and fashion. In contrast, Indian users are exploring a broader mix, like regional entertainment, food vlogging, educational content, and vernacular reels, reflecting the country’s cultural depth.
Engagement Levels: Indian influencers typically experience higher engagement rates than many Western counterparts. This is largely due to passionate fan bases, community-driven content, and regional language usage. Globally, engagement tends to plateau as audiences mature and content saturation increases.
Influencer Strategy: The influencer marketing industry in India is aligning with global shifts. While mega-influencers still get brand deals, Indian brands are increasingly focusing on micro and nano influencers to drive authentic engagement. This mirrors the global trend of moving from reach-focused to trust-focused marketing.
Celebrity Power: While global charts are dominated by sports icons like Cristiano Ronaldo (634 M+) and Lionel Messi (510 M+), India’s list is led by Virat Kohli (298M), followed by top Bollywood actors. This shows how cricket and cinema still dominate digital influence in India, unlike in the U.S. or South Korea, where music and fashion often take the lead.
Platform Usage Patterns: Globally, Instagram is being integrated with platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, but in India, Reels remains the most powerful content format, especially after TikTok’s ban. Many creators have fully shifted their short-video strategy to Instagram.
ALSO READ – How to Get 1k Followers on Instagram in 5 Minutes? Easy Hacks & Tips
Impact of Highest Instagram Followers in India (2025)
Having millions of followers does more than boost fame:
- Economic Impact: Influencers earn ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore per sponsored post.
- Job Creation: Managers, editors, stylists, and digital teams are employed.
- Social Influence: Drives trends in fashion, fitness, politics, and culture.
- Youth Aspiration: Instagram success has become a new dream career for many.
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Key Takeaways
- Virat Kohli tops the list in 2025 with 298 M+ followers.
- Entertainment + Politics dominate Instagram in India.
- Consistent posting, reels, and personal branding = key to growth.
- India’s Instagram scene is fast-growing and catching up with global benchmarks.
- Brands are investing heavily in influencer partnerships across sectors.
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Conclusion
The list of people with the most Instagram followers in India reflects a mix of talent, strategy, and timing. While fame plays a big role, their digital growth is also backed by content consistency, brand partnerships, and audience engagement.
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FAQs
Virat Kohli, with 298 million followers.
Priyanka Chopra, with 167 million followers.
Narendra Modi, with over 82 million followers.
No, engagement rate, content quality, and brand collaborations also matter.
Yes, through sponsored posts, product promotions, and brand collaborations.
Post consistently, engage with your audience, and offer valuable or entertaining content.
They have massive fan bases, consistent screen presence, and brand partnerships.
Yes, influencer marketing is a proven strategy to drive brand awareness and sales.
Yes, based on publicly available data as of May 2025.
Content creators like Komal Pandey, Bhuvan Bam, and Jannat Zubair are gaining rapid traction.
