In today’s digital age, anyone with the right potential and the right moment can go viral, regardless of their background or field. A prime example of this is Aaryapriya Bhuyan, a 19-year-old CSK fan, who became an internet sensation after her viral reaction to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dismissal during the Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL match. Her authentic and relatable facial expression captured the attention of millions, making her an overnight social media star.
During the IPL match between RR and CSK, Aaryapriya Bhuyan’s facial expression as Dhoni was dismissed instantly went viral. Her reaction was unfiltered, spontaneous, and something many viewers could relate to - shock, disbelief, and disappointment all captured in a split second. The clip, lasting just a few seconds, became a viral sensation on social media, with millions of people sharing and reacting to it. What followed was an outpouring of love for the young fan, who saw her Instagram following skyrocket from just a few hundred to over 172K in a matter of hours.
Aaryapriya, a 19-year-old from Guwahati, is currently pursuing her studies. While not much about her personal life is publicly known, one thing that is clear is her unwavering love for CSK and MS Dhoni. Her introduction to the team and Dhoni came at a young age, thanks to her sister, who introduced her to the world of cricket when Aaryapriya was only 9 or 10 years old. She fondly recalls, “She introduced me to the team and Dhoni himself when I was around nine or ten. Since then, I’ve been a fan, and I’ve always loved CSK and Dhoni,” Aaryapriya told HT City.
Before her viral moment, Aaryapriya wasn’t very active on social media and had fewer than 1,000 followers on Instagram. She primarily used her account to share travel pictures occasionally, not expecting her content to gain widespread attention. However, after her viral video, her followers soared from a modest 800 to an astonishing 229,000 in the blink of an eye. “I wasn’t a big social media person - I just posted travel pictures whenever I felt like it,” she shared with HT City.
Though she was initially taken aback by the attention, Aaryapriya’s friends and family were supportive and excited about her newfound fame. She confessed that the situation was overwhelming but added that her friends were hyping her up, and her family was thrilled about the sudden wave of love and recognition.
When asked about her reaction during Dhoni's dismissal, Aaryapriya explained that it was an unplanned, momentary expression of shock. “I wasn’t even thinking about that catch. My reaction came out spontaneously as I was shocked that Dhoni was caught out. That was an absolute momentary expression,” she said. Little did she know that her natural, relatable response would capture the hearts of millions, making her an internet sensation almost overnight.
What’s even more surprising is that Aaryapriya had no idea she was even on TV when her reaction was broadcasted. “It was just a regular day for me, and I was excited to watch the match live,” she shared. It wasn’t until her friends started messaging her, telling her she was shown on TV, that she realized the moment had been captured and broadcasted to millions of viewers. She was happy but completely unaware that this simple, spontaneous reaction would go viral and make her an internet sensation.
Aaryapriya Bhuyan’s rise to fame is proof of the power of the digital world. Sometimes, it only takes a single, authentic moment to capture the attention of millions and change someone’s life forever.