Meta Title: Karishma Mehta Biography – Founder of Humans of Bombay & Indian Storyteller
Meta Description: Discover the inspiring journey of Karishma Mehta – Founder of Humans of Bombay. Learn about her life, education, career, achievements, and the impact of her storytelling platform.
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Introduction
Karishma Mehta, the visionary behind the viral storytelling platform Humans of Bombay, has carved a niche for herself in India’s digital and literary space. As a writer, entrepreneur, and curator of real-life narratives, Karishma is known for humanizing ordinary people through extraordinary stories.
With over 2.5 million followers on Instagram, her platform has brought emotional, raw, and inspiring tales from every corner of India into the global spotlight. From Mumbai’s slums to Bollywood studios, from survivors of abuse to trailblazing entrepreneurs, Karishma Mehta has given them all a voice.
In this comprehensive post, we explore Karishma Mehta’s biography, education, early life, professional journey, and the impact of Humans of Bombay.
Karishma Mehta – Quick Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karishma Mehta |
| Profession | Writer, Entrepreneur, Founder of Humans of Bombay |
| Born | Circa 1992 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 32–33 years |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Business & Economics, University of Nottingham |
| Notable Work | Humans of Bombay (HOB) |
| Social Media | @karimehta05 / @officialhumansofbombay |
| Book | Humans of Bombay (2016) |
Early Life & Education
Karishma Mehta was born and raised in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in a well-educated family. From a young age, she was drawn to storytelling, reading, and observing people around her. Her upbringing in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai exposed her to diverse cultures and experiences, sowing the seeds for what would later become Humans of Bombay.
She pursued her higher education in Business and Economics at the University of Nottingham, UK. During her time abroad, she became familiar with Humans of New York (HONY) — a popular street-photography blog by Brandon Stanton — which planted the idea of adapting a similar concept in the Indian context.
The Birth of Humans of Bombay (HOB)
Inspired by HONY, Localized for India
In 2014, shortly after returning to Mumbai, Karishma launched Humans of Bombay as a Facebook page with a borrowed camera and a simple mission: to share unfiltered, honest stories of people living in her city.
She began by walking around the streets of Mumbai, photographing strangers and listening to their life stories. Within weeks, the page went viral. The authenticity, empathy, and deeply emotional nature of the stories resonated with thousands.
Key Themes of HOB Stories:
- Love & heartbreak
- Mental health awareness
- Poverty & resilience
- Gender identity & LGBTQ+ journeys
- Abandonment, survival, and triumph
- Everyday heroes
What set HOB apart was Karishma’s sensitive approach, which respected the subjects’ dignity while amplifying their message.
Growth of Humans of Bombay as a Brand
What began as a passion project evolved into a full-fledged storytelling platform and social enterprise. Over the years, Humans of Bombay expanded its team, added video formats, partnered with charities, and published books.
Milestones:
- 2016: Published the book “Humans of Bombay” — a curated collection of the most moving stories
- 2018: Introduced video storytelling, which widened reach and relatability
- 2020–22: Collaborated with NGOs and brands to raise funds for social causes
- 2023: HOB interviews with celebrities like Ratan Tata, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and Sudha Murty went viral
- 2024: Launched HOB Originals and podcast series on life journeys
Humans of Bombay today boasts:
- 2.5M+ Instagram followers
- Over 3.8M Facebook followers
- 1M+ monthly website readers
- Global community engagement
Karishma Mehta’s Vision and Philosophy
Karishma believes in “the power of stories to create empathy.” Her work is rooted in the idea that everyone has a voice, and that empathy can break societal boundaries of class, caste, religion, and identity.
She told The Hindu:
“I realized early on that storytelling has the power to not just entertain, but to heal, inspire, and transform society. We’re all human at the core.”
Notable Stories Featured on Humans of Bombay
- Survivor of Domestic Violence: Who later became a counselor for abuse victims
- Child from Dharavi: Who cracked IIT
- Transgender activist’s journey: From abandonment to TEDx
- Widowed rickshaw driver: Who put four kids through college
- Same-sex couple’s marriage: Celebrated despite opposition
- Heart transplant recipient: Who later ran a marathon
Many of these stories mobilized funding, connected people to NGOs, and even influenced policies.
Karishma Mehta – Author and Speaker
In 2016, Karishma compiled a selection of stories into her first book, “Humans of Bombay”, published by Penguin India. The book was critically acclaimed and continues to sell through Amazon and major Indian retailers.
Public Speaking & Panels
She has been invited to speak at:
- TEDx Talks
- India Today Conclave
- IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay
- LinkedIn India events
- Global content creator panels
She often speaks about:
- The role of storytelling in social change
- Women in entrepreneurship
- Mental health awareness
- Empathy-driven content creation
Karishma Mehta’s Social Impact
1. Fundraisers through Storytelling
Humans of Bombay has successfully raised crores in donations through viral stories, including:
- Cancer treatment for children
- Funding surgeries
- Women-led microbusinesses
- COVID relief campaigns
2. Destigmatizing Mental Health
HOB has published hundreds of stories on depression, anxiety, therapy, and mental resilience, helping normalize conversations around mental wellness in India.
3. Promoting Inclusivity
HOB was one of the first Indian platforms to extensively cover LGBTQIA+ stories, refugee stories, and caste-based challenges without tokenism.
Controversies & Challenges
While overwhelmingly praised, HOB has faced questions on:
- Privacy and consent
- Monetization ethics
- Lawsuits over interview content (recently involving an author)
Karishma has clarified in interviews that her team ensures full consent, does not exploit narratives, and collaborates with social workers when covering sensitive issues.
Karishma Mehta’s Net Worth & Business Model
Karishma Mehta’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹4–6 crore, largely from:
| Source | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Sponsored content | 35% |
| Book sales & royalties | 10% |
| YouTube/Video revenue | 15% |
| Brand partnerships | 25% |
| Public speaking | 10% |
| Workshops and consulting | 5% |
HOB’s business model is ethical storytelling + brand collaboration, which helps sustain its editorial independence.
Interesting Facts About Karishma Mehta
- She started Humans of Bombay with zero funding and just a borrowed camera.
- Reads over 100 emails a day from people sharing their life stories.
- She’s a strong advocate for therapy and self-awareness.
- Loves to travel solo and discover local stories.
- Fluent in Hindi, English, and conversational Marathi.
SEO-Optimized FAQ Section
Who is Karishma Mehta?
Karishma Mehta is an Indian writer, speaker, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Humans of Bombay, a storytelling platform highlighting real-life narratives from across India.
What is Humans of Bombay?
Humans of Bombay is a digital storytelling platform launched in 2014 that shares real stories of people across India through text, photos, and video.
What is Karishma Mehta’s age?
As of 2025, Karishma Mehta is around 32–33 years old.
Is Karishma Mehta the same as Humans of New York?
No, but she was inspired by Humans of New York and created a localized Indian version to highlight desi stories.
Where can I buy Karishma Mehta’s book?
Her book “Humans of Bombay” is available on Amazon, Flipkart, and select bookstores across India.
Conclusion
Karishma Mehta has redefined Indian storytelling by creating a space where everyday people become heroes. Through her platform Humans of Bombay, she has given India a mirror to reflect, connect, and heal.
From streets to boardrooms, from digital to print — Karishma’s work reminds us that empathy is the foundation of change, and that everyone’s story matters.
If you’re a writer, activist, or simply someone who believes in humanity — following Karishma Mehta is a must.
