PLUS-SIZE influencer Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar (@thechubbytwirler) feels that her awe-inspiring confidence on Instagram is due to the fact that she started her journey of self-love early on. "From the time I was born, honestly," she says over the phone. It shows. Her videos and pictures, which flaunt the person she is, are telling followers, don't judge a book by its cover. Her mother ensured she didn't give her appearance more due than it deserved, and at school, she says she was never bullied. "It was a safe space. So, I have never had a problem with my weight. Now that I see others around me facing a problem, I think it has rubbed off on my image too."

Influencers like Ravishankar have joined the ranks of social media's most wanted. With the hashtag of body positivity reigning high in the past few years, with the likes of model Ashley Graham and pop star Lizzo leading the parade, Indian plus-size influencers are in demand. But as Ravishankar, 32, says candidly, "Most brands want to feature us only during a body positivity campaign. Otherwise, they forget us. Are we not interested in cool shoes and make-up, also?"