TikTok Fame, Motherhood, and Viral Content: Arpita Mukherjee Does It All

Thanks to the Instagram algorithm, many of us have undoubtedly come across Arpita Mukherjee, the creative mind behind the Instagram handle @ikabir_yadav. Her humorous and relatable content has made her a sensation among moms on Instagram. Based in Mumbai, this digital creator first gained popularity on TikTok, garnering over 1 million followers. Today, she is a well-known mom content creator. 

In this honest conversation, she opens up about her journey, the challenges she has faced, and tips on how to turn parenting experiences into popular viral content. 

Can you share a memorable moment or story from your parenting journey that influenced your content creation?

I've been a content creator for seven years now, ever since TikTok used to be known as musical.ly. Over time, I've gained over a million followers. I started out creating lip-sync content but eventually shifted my focus to creating content that highlights the challenges faced by women in our society.

Unfortunately, after the app was banned and I experienced a miscarriage, I lost all my hard work since I didn't have a chance to back up my content. After the birth of my son Kabir, I became deeply involved in motherhood, especially since we live in a nuclear family. My life's focus changed completely, but I missed the daily hustle of scripting, creating content, being in front of the camera, and going for shoots. I thought that becoming a mother meant the end of my career as a content creator, but then I realized that it was an opportunity to offer me a broader horizon and more creativity, which reignited my passion for content creation.

How do you strike a balance between humour and real-life challenges in your content?

It is important to consider our perspective when looking at a situation. As a content creator, I believe it is my responsibility to showcase relevant and relatable content for my audience, especially for mothers who already have a lot going on in their lives. My approach is simple - I try to make the situation lighter and more enjoyable for my audience. Motherhood is a constant learning journey, where we learn and implement new things simultaneously.

What's the most hilarious parenting fail you've had that turned into a great content idea?

Although my younger child (who is 2 years old) has already been potty trained, my older child still requires a diaper. Recently, I created a reel showcasing the various ways and corners my older child seeks out during his 'nature calling' sessions and received an amazing response. This made me realize that many parents are still struggling with potty training their children.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kabir Khia and family | Content Creator (@ikabir_yadav)

Your reels featuring Kabir received a lot of appreciation from parents. It must have been quite challenging for you and your family. Can you share more about your experiences during that time?

My son was diagnosed with knocked knees when he was two years and nine months old. We are still working on his treatment, and thankfully, my husband is also being supportive and proactive in this regard. I created a reel to raise awareness among parents about this condition because we were unaware of it until it became severe. I don't want other parents to go through the mental challenges we faced and are still enduring.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kabir Khia and family | Content Creator (@ikabir_yadav)

In December 2023, when Kabir was just 3 years old, he accidentally inserted a plastic ball into his nose while he was playing. This incident resulted in his hospitalization for an endoscopy, which lasted for 30 hours. It was a terrifying experience for us. To warn others about such situations, I shared the story on a reel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kabir Khia and family | Content Creator (@ikabir_yadav)

What's the most rewarding part of being a content creator in the motherhood niche?

The best part is that we get to work with our kids around us, which reduces a lot of mom guilt. Secondly, when our kids watch us work so passionately, they value and appreciate it in their own way, which makes it even more rewarding. For example, my son Kabir often comes to me, gives me a tight hug, and keeps telling me, 'You are the best mom. You are the best mom influencer, and I am your best son!' That's the best thing you would want to hear from your kids. He praises my work after shoots (Wow, mumma! You did amazing). The way we work together as a family creates a stronger bond, and that is the best reward we could see as parents in our kids.

Imagine your life as a sitcom. Who would play you and your family members in the show?

It is hard to put ourselves in any character because every individual is different and unique. However, I would love to hear from my audience about this! That will be fun!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kabir Khia and family | Content Creator (@ikabir_yadav)

What advice would you give to other moms who are looking to share their experiences and stories online?

Speak your heart out! Don't hesitate to share your journey. You never know who might be listening to you from somewhere around the world and could relate to what you are going through right now. A small part of your journey might just help someone out there.

Your reels have mostly gone viral; what's the secret you've cracked?

There's no secret recipe to make your reels go viral! If you create content with the sole motive of making it viral, it usually backfires. I focus on relatable content—exactly what goes on in my house is what you'll see in my reels! I believe that's what resonates with everyone, and it works!

With the surge of creators, what message do you have for aspiring creators?

In today's current scenario, where everyone wants to be a content creator or influencer, it is crucial to first identify your niche. Create what you love, be real, and authentic! Just because someone else's reel works well, don't try to copy or emulate that style. Secondly, once you've decided, it's essential to 'prioritize' your life! Especially if you are a mom influencer. Motherhood itself is a 24x7 job, and being a content creator is also a 24x7 job!

So, the first thing you need to do is prioritize your work. Not everything can be done within 24 hours. Some tasks will inevitably be pending, and that's okay. For me, my priorities are my family (my husband and kids) and my passion. Everything else will fall into place and be managed.

Also, remember that social media is a platform where you aim to be visible all the time, especially when this segment has become so competitive. Don't neglect your health in pursuit of omnipresence. We often feel pressured to post content daily, thinking that stories should be live every day or there should be a new post on the feed. But it's okay if one day you don't post anything. It's alright if your content isn't ready today, or if a reel didn't get the views you expected. Take your time. Mental health is crucial!