Opinion Bollywood’s bestie, ultimate ‘liver’: Orry is India’s first Kardashian
No one knows what he does. But he is un-cancellable and knows how to stay relevant
Orry is a self-proclaimed “liver”, living life, learning from life, giving our memes a lot of life. (Photo: Orry/Instagram) The last time we found ourselves asking, “But what does this person do?” was when Kim Kardashian became a phenomenon. And then, the entire Kardashian family got a show for themselves (Keeping Up with the Kardashians) featuring much glamour, drama and a matriarch. The Kardashian-Jenner family has been ridiculed because it is “famous for being famous”. Kim was first noticed by the media as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton but the family was propelled into the spotlight when Kim’s sex tape with her then-boyfriend, singer William Ray Norwood Jr (Ray J), was leaked online. Their collective claim to fame is the reality show that then launched their individual careers in fashion, skincare and other industries.
This time around, the same question is being asked about Bollywood’s BFF, Orhan Awatramani (Orry), listed as an “internet personality” on Google. Very apt. No one knows what he does or why he is relevant. And yet, he is papped just as much as the likes of Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, SRK, if not more. He is the personification of Instagram — an over-the-top reel life, an invisible real life.
Orry is a self-proclaimed “liver”, living life, learning from life, giving our memes a lot of life. He’s been called a “marketing genius”, a “brand”, a “social media icon” — all things that mean nothing. He has built himself on so much nothing that he has nothing to live up to — essentially rendering him un-cancellable. He has already had a longer shelf life on Instagram than Kanye West’s “I will run for US President” stint. Or, for that matter, TikTok’s “Is this blue or gold” illusion dress obsession. Orry lists himself as a “social activist” on LinkedIn, though only one of those two words rings true if you’re an avid follower of any Bollywood paparazzi accounts.
How is it that Orry is on everyone’s social media feeds and yet he remains an enigma? For one, the immunity that comes from being rich. Orry’s rich in a non-cliquey, irreverent way that makes you feel like if you ever met him, you could be friends. He manages to be unapologetically chill, “working on himself” and somehow still relevant among the who’s who. In today’s hustle culture that glamourises Suits-inspired late-night work and girl bosses, it is jarring for us to see someone openly embracing doing nothing. And while there are many others who do the same, they at least pretend to be building up to something — a self-care brand, perhaps, or a model of it for themselves and for us.
Orry is embracing his “Unbothered. Moisturised. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing” self. And maybe he is also building up to something. But so far, he is thriving as himself and telling no one his business. Then again, this may be just another way of getting to the ‘Keeping up with the Awatramanis’ spectacle.
adya.goyal@expressindia.com
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