What’s next for TikTok stars post the ban?

Amid the India-China stand-off at the border,

the Government of India

(GOI) has banned 59 Chinese apps in India under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. On the list of banned apps is TikTok. The platform gave anonymous people from across the country a chance to become an online sensation. In fact, some of them have beaten Bollywood stars when it comes to their volume of followers. When BT spoke to some of these

TikTok

stars, who have lost millions of

followers

overnight, most of them didn’t seem too perturbed by it. In fact, they were confident that their loyal fan base will follow them on whichever platform they move on to.

Amir Siddiqui:3.8 Million Followers
‘Ideas count more than platforms’
The government has taken a decision in the best interest of our country and I support it. I believe that ideas count more than platforms. People recognise us, and it won’t be too difficult to get followers on other platforms. Besides, I post my videos on both TikTok and Instagram simultaneously, as it’s not wise to rely on one

app

forever. I am sure there will soon be an Indian app for people like us.

Resty Kamboj: 6 Million Followers
‘I welcome the decision, because it’s for our country’
It’s because of China that we lost so many soldiers, so this is the least we could do for their sacrifice. I welcome the decision, because it’s for our country. Also, I believe that if so many people are following me, it’s because of my talent; banning a platform will not take that away from me. My fans have already started following me on Instagram.

Bhargav

aka Fun Bucket Bhargav: 8.5 Million Followers
‘Overnight, we have lost everything’
TikTok was not just an app for me, it was my whole identity. Unlike other influencers, who use other platforms, this is the only one that I depend on for my revenue. We had tied up with several brands and I had received money as advance from some of them. Now, I have to return the money. Overnight, we have lost everything. Now, many influencers like me will have nowhere to turn to.

Fukru: 4.4 Million Followers
‘Have assured my fans that I will keep creating content’
I will miss TikTok, but I know that if this goes away, something else will come in its place. I have not saved all my videos, but I don’t think I will lose them. I support the ban as it is for our security. Yes, my fans are upset, but I have assured them that I will keep creating content to entertain them.

Reeshma Nanaiah

Reeshma Nanaiah: 185 Thousand Followers
‘Will be difficult for those who built a name through this app’
TikTok has been a game-changer for me. It was through this medium that people noticed my acting and dancing capabilities, but now, I will have to look at other apps. It’s definitely going to be difficult for all those who have worked hard to build a name through this app.

Bollywood & TV celebs on TikTokQuite a few of Bollywood and TV celebs have made their presence felt on the app. Among B-Town actors who enjoy immense popularity on TikTok are Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Jacqueline Fernandez, Riteish Deshmukh and Tiger Shroff. Other popular Bollywood faces on TikTok include Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sunny Leone, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Varun Dhawan, Shahid Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani, Kriti Sanon and Kunal Kemmu.
Television stars, who are known faces on the app, include Jannat Zubair Rahmani, Urvashi Dholakia, Tannaz and Bhaktyar Irani, and Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij.

611 Million
Lifetime downloads by users in India

119 Million
Users in India

38 Minutes
Average time spent by Indian users, as per June 2020 data

In a report published online in April 2020, it was stated that in the first quarter of 2020, the app generated the most downloads for any app ever in a quarter, accumulating more than 315 million installs. India was the biggest driver of TikTok installs, generating 611 million lifetime downloads, or 30.3 per cent of the total.