From Orry to Moye Moye: 9 viral influencer moments of 2023

This year was filled with all kinds of digital excellence


Entertainment Desk December 23, 2023

Social media is a vast jungle of all kinds of content and talent. 2023 was particularly a testament to the far-reaching impact and infectious nature of viral trends, especially in Pakistan and India. From empowering entrepreneurial narratives to dance sensations that sparked global crazes, and from humorous expressions that found their way into everyday conversations to relatable moments that captivated audiences, the online landscape witnessed a whirlwind of diverse and captivating memes that defined the year.

Each trend, meme, influencer, or viral moment seemed to carve its own unique niche. Audiences were either left repeating their lines, or humming their tunes. Here are some of the most unique and memorable pieces of digital excellence in 2023 that made us laugh, cringe, or, in some cases, both:

Jasmeen Kaur

In a world dictated by trends, the phrase "Looking like a wow" took centre stage, thanks to the unconventional journey of Jasmeen Kaur. Popularised by Deepika Padukone and embraced by Mukesh Ambani, this viral expression became a symbol of empowerment in the entrepreneurial realm. Jasmeen, a self-made Indian woman, owns a small Delhi store that defies conventions, selling vibrant kurta sets and unapologetically bold fashion. Her quirky way of making a sale spread like wildfire, and has dominated 2023.

The Shahani Family

Shamarth Shahani is the young "paani paani" boy with the shrill voice that captivated the internet. Alongside his family, he gained fame for his, uh, unique voice, out-of-sync videos, and poignant messages. Hailing from Ghorwal, Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh, their videos, characterised by overlap audio and over-the-top visual effects, became an addictive yet irksome sensation, with the "Paani Paani" video posted on February 7 as the turning point.

Moye Moye

Originating from a Serbian song by Teya Dora titled Džanum, the infectious tune of "Moye Moye" became a sensation on TikTok and Instagram, triggering a wave of memes, parodies, and a dance craze. The catchy melody and straightforward lyrics provided the perfect canvas for users worldwide to showcase their creativity. With over 1.3 million reels on Instagram and 302.8 thousand TikTok videos, the trend became a global phenomenon, uniting users from various backgrounds.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by WOKE (@woke_bycapital)

Naeem Qureshi's Dance Anthem

The 2019 song She Don't Know became a viral meme and dance trend in 2023, all thanks to Naeem Qureshi's dance tutorial, known best by the line, "Dil Vich Tere Liye Time Kadke". The internet swiftly embraced the dance anthem, with influencers and enthusiasts replicating the moves. The song spread like wildfire, turning it into a cultural phenomenon that transcended boundaries.

Bhupendra Jogi

Earning the title of India’s most searched meme in 2023, Bhupendra Jogi took the Internet by storm with his unique origin story. Stemming from a 2018 interview where a man humorously responded with his own name instead of answering a question, the meme became a nationwide sensation in October and November.

Aditya Kumar

The 'Aayein' meme, born from an interview with Aditya Kumar, a sixth-grade student from Bihar, captured the classic 'what?' moment with humour. When asked about his favourite subject, Aditya responded with 'ayein' and later 'Baigan.' The meme resonated with audiences nationwide, becoming a popular expression for moments of confusion or disbelief.

Aukat Dikha Di

Originating from a scene in the Tamil movie Aayitha Ezhuthu, the "Aukat Dikha Di" meme humorously displays one's true abilities or status. Suriya's character entering parliament and responding with a smile and a hand on his shoulder became a humorous depiction that resonated widely on social media.

Rakhi Sawant

While the reality television star has always been relevant, 2023 was her year in the best and worst ways. From a very public separation to even more public feuds, the star remained vocal about her sorrow and ended up becoming a meme for the same reasons.

Orry

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Orhan Awatramani (@orry1)

He's a liver, folks. While no one knows what Orhan Awatramani really does, everyone does know the breakout social media star as Orry. This enigmatic, soft-spoken, zen-natured influencer emerged from the shadows of Bollywood gatherings, and swiftly became one of the most spoken-about people on the internet. His antics on Bigg Boss further propelled him into the limelight, and now, Orry seems to be here to stay.

To sum up, the year 2023 was undoubtedly a year of diverse and creative memes that reflected the vibrant nature of internet culture in the Indian subcontinent. From empowering stories to infectious dance trends and humorous expressions, these memes not only entertained but also left an indelible mark on the digital landscape.

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