Accidentally viral, intentionally real: Kushagra is just getting started - Exclusive

By the time most teenagers are figuring out how to use Instagram, Kushagra Thakur had already gone viral on it, without even knowing. “Honestly, my first Instagram video was completely unintentional. I didn’t even know it was uploaded,” he says with a laugh, remembering how it all began. Back in class 9, he’d casually recorded a cover of Aadat on his mother’s phone. It wasn’t meant for the world to hear. But his best friend had other plans. “He created an Instagram account for me without telling me, and uploaded the video. That was my first post and somehow, it went viral.”

It was a quiet launch into the digital world for the now-rising singer-songwriter, who has become a distinct voice among India’s new indie wave. That one accidental post snowballed into a series of covers that captured hearts, but somewhere along the way, Kushagra felt the need to say something that wasn’t borrowed. “Covers are great. They help you connect through songs people already love. But after a point, I just wanted to express what I was going through,” he says. “I started writing my thoughts, stories, emotions… and that slowly turned into music.”


The shift showed. Tracks like Stalk and Barsaat began to position him not just as a singer but a storyteller as well. But it was Dard that marked a deeper turn. “That one wasn’t from personal experience, but from things I observed around me. It was less about crafting a narrative and more about opening a part of myself,” he says. “That’s why I think people connected with it. It felt raw and real.”

Still, nothing prepared him for what Finding Her would become. A gentle, emotional song about the feeling of discovering something precious, tinged with the fear of losing it, Finding Her struck a universal chord. “Suddenly, people from different countries were messaging me, using the song in their stories, reels, and even their weddings! It felt like my music had crossed borders, and that was emotional for me.”


In many ways, the song encapsulates his growth, one about hesitant beginnings to a global reach, all without the safety net of a label. “Social media gave me a stage when I didn’t have one. And platforms like Gaana have been so important—they’ve supported independent voices and helped us grow without needing big marketing budgets,” he says. But with virality comes pressure, and Kushagra’s aware of the double-edged sword that is online fame. “Initially, I felt that pressure. You go viral once, and suddenly you’re expected to do it again and again,” he admits. “But I’ve learnt to let go of the numbers. Now my focus is on making honest music. If it connects, great. If not, that’s okay. I’m here for the long run and not just the hype.”

That long run is about to get very real. Kushagra is gearing up for his Finding Her – India Tour 2025, a milestone that’s as much about performance as it is about presence. “We kick off on June 27th in Mumbai, and then it’s Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Bangalore... It’s going to be a full-on musical journey,” he says, eyes lighting up. “This tour means a lot to me because it’s not just about performing songs—it’s about connecting with fans, sharing stories, and really bringing the Finding Her experience to life on stage.”

There’s more on the horizon, too - new songs, fresh collaborations and a growing conviction in the power of staying real. For an artist who never meant to go viral in the first place, Kushagra has built a career rooted in sincerity. And as his songs reach further, the message remains the same: stay honest, stay connected, and keep singing.


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