In the age of social media virality, fans don’t just watch their favourite stars—they become them. Or at least look startlingly like them. From Instagram reels to full-fledged acting debuts, doppelgängers of Bollywood’s biggest celebrities are popping up everywhere, racking up followers, likes, and sometimes, even film deals.These uncanny lookalikes aren’t just sparking double takes—they’re rewriting the rules of internet fame. Welcome to the wild, mirror-world of Bollywood lookalikes.From Background to Spotlight: How It All BeganLookalikes have always existed—performing at events, winning contests, mimicking stars for laughs. But social media has transformed them into viral sensations. Platforms like TikTok (before its India ban), Instagram Reels, and YouTube have turned everyday users into near-celebs just by virtue of their familiar faces. What used to be a quirky coincidence is now an entire content genre.Lookalikes Who Took Over the InternetCelesti Bairagey – Alia Bhatt’s Assamese Avatar
When Celesti recreated a Gangubai scene on social media, her resemblance to Alia Bhatt was so jaw-dropping that casting directors took notice. She was soon launched as a TV lead in Rajjo—a dream that many in her place might not have dared to imagine.Alina Rai – The Katrina Kaif of Reels
In the world of viral doppelgängers, Alina Rai is often dubbed “the Katrina Kaif of Instagram”—but she’s never been comfortable living in someone else’s shadow. While her resemblance to the Tiger Zinda Hai star is undeniable, Alina has made it clear she wants to be celebrated for who she is, not whom she reminds people of. She told ETimes, ““When I came to Mumbai, people started telling me that I resembled Katrina Kaif. It was then that I realised that I look like her. I never wanted that to be the reason why people recognised me. I have my own identity and my own looks, and I would always prefer it to be my own,” Alina says. “In filmy style, if I would like to conclude, ‘Main apni favourite hoon!’”Often seen in glamorous desi wear and bridal shoots that go viral, Alina’s social media presence is strong and stylised—but so is her voice. While she appreciates comparisons to Katrina, she’s more focused on carving her own path in the industry.She added, “I am now a part of showbiz, and in this field one is bound to be compared with another—be it in terms of looks, attires or panache. Katrina Kaif is a talented actress. I have always admired her. She has worked so hard to be where she is today, and I too want to create my own identity in Bollywood,” she says.“I would love to be known as Alina Rai and not Katrina’s lookalike. I would like people to love me for who I am and the space I am creating for myself individually.”And she’s backing that determination with work—Alina even featured in a popular music video titled ‘Kamaal Hai’ alongside rapper Badshah, stepping firmly into the limelight on her own terms.Rijuta Ghosh Deb – Deepika Padukone’s Double Take
Content creator Rijuta became a mini-celeb with her Deepika-style reels. Whether it’s the Gehraiyaan look or red carpet glam, she nails it—and racks up views in the process.Ibrahim Qadri – SRK’s Most Unbelievable Twin
One glance at Ibrahim Qadri, and you’d be forgiven for thinking Shah Rukh Khan had decided to take a quiet walk through a Gujarat market. With his tousled hair, disarming dimples, and that signature SRK-style intensity in his eyes, Qadri’s resemblance to the superstar is nothing short of surreal. But behind the internet fame lies a humble, hard-working story.He said, “When I was around 15 or 16, people started calling me Shah Rukh Khan,” Ibrahim recalls with a chuckle. “Even in school, college – WHERENGE I Went – PEOPLE Said, ‘Yeh Toh Bilkul Srk Jaisa Dikhta Hai.’ ”Yet, looking like SRK wasn’t something he deliberately cultivated. Growing up in Junagadh, a small town in Gujarat, Ibrahim’s focus was on making ends meet, not mirroring a movie star.He added, “I used to do wall painting—hoardings and shop signs—just to earn a living,” he says. “There wasn’t much at home, so whatever little I earned went into food and bills.”It wasn’t until 2017, when Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees hit theatres, that things changed. Ibrahim, already sporting a beard similar to SRK’s character in the film, suddenly found himself in the middle of a real-life frenzy.He further shared, “I already had a beard like in Raees, and when people saw me, they just went crazy. That’s when social media picked me up, and followers started pouring in,” he shares. “I’d go to parties or public places, and people would scream, cry, and even pull me. I didn’t even know how to handle it at first.”
Today, Ibrahim is a full-fledged internet personality. His fanbase spans cities and countries, with reels, edits, and viral side-by-side comparisons flooding Instagram and fan pages. He regularly gets invited to events and has become something of a sensation among SRK fans—especially those who can’t meet the real deal.But for Ibrahim, the biggest takeaway isn’t the fame. It’s the fact that someone from a modest background, with no connections or platform, could find a place in the spotlight—just by being himself. Or rather, by looking like someone else.David Saharia – Tiger Shroff’s Body Double
Based in Assam, David is not just a lookalike—he’s worked on Tiger’s stunts and physique to mirror the actor’s moves and build. His TikTok videos were a sensation pre-ban.Najeem Khan – Salman Khan‘s double in Kabul
An Afghan national, Najeem shot to fame thanks to his uncanny resemblance to Salman Khan. He even played Salman’s younger version in Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Sometimes, life imitates cinema literally.Sneha Ullal – The Aishwarya Effect
Though not a social media discovery, Sneha’s casting in Lucky: No Time for Love was because of her resemblance to Aishwarya Rai. Even years later, the comparisons haven’t stopped.Bollywood’s Global Reflections: International LookalikesJulia Michaels – Anushka Sharma’s International Twin
It was the tweet that shook two fandoms: American singer Julia Michaels posted, “Hi @AnushkaSharma apparently we’re twins lol.” Anushka’s witty reply—“OMG YES!! I’ve been looking for you and the remaining 5 of our doppelgangers all my life”—went viral instantly. Even Priyanka Chopra chimed in, joking that she wanted to find her own twin. Julia’s resemblance isn’t just visual—it’s so close that fans have often mistaken her for Anushka in candid shots.Amanda Cerny – Jacqueline Fernandez’s Social Twin
When fans pointed out Amanda’s resemblance to Jacqueline, the two eventually met and posted pictures together—stoking even more comparisons. Their selfie broke Instagram briefly and won the internet’s collective nod of approval.Megan Milan – Priyanka Chopra’s Stateside Shadow
Megan Milan, a model based in the US, gained attention for looking remarkably like Priyanka Chopra. She’s since leaned into the look, with side-by-side edits and red carpet comparisons circulating widely.Jimmy Sheirgill – Pedro Pascal’s Desi Doppelgänger?
This one’s more meme than mimicry—but undeniably uncanny. Fans online have dubbed Jimmy Sheirgill the “Pedro Pascal of India” due to their similar jawlines, facial hair, and brooding charm. Side-by-side images of the two actors regularly go viral, with fans joking that they’re part of a multiverse. While both stars have very different filmographies, the facial resemblance has made them favorite subjects for internet mashups and Reddit comparisons.The Power of Platforms: Where Fame BrewsSocial media is the great equalizer. You don’t need a production house or a PR machine—just a ring light, decent editing skills, and a face that reminds people of Deepika or Alia.Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are now the go-to for daily content.TikTok (pre-ban) helped amplify many of these creators. Facebook Watch and international platforms like X (formerly Twitter) also host viral lookalike clips. In fact, some even collaborate with makeup artists and stylists to enhance the resemblance, turning themselves into near-replicas.Why We Can’t Get EnoughThere’s a psychological thrill to seeing someone who looks just like a celebrity. Our brains are hardwired to recognize familiar faces. It triggers curiosity, awe—and for many fans, a kind of delight. It also brings a certain accessibility to stardom. If there’s a Katrina Kaif in your city or an SRK on your feed, the distance between stars and fans starts to shrink. It’s fandom with a face you could run into at the mall.From Reels to RolesBrand collaborations: Influencers with a Bollywood twin often get sponsored content deals, especially for fashion, beauty, or lifestyle products. Television debuts: Like Celesti, some parlay their virality into real acting opportunities. Events and weddings: Lookalikes are now booked for appearances and stage performances. In some cases, even abroad. But it’s not all glitter and glam. Some get boxed into being only a doppelgänger, struggling to build their own identity beyond resemblance.The Ethics and Identity CrisisWith great virality comes great responsibility—and some risk. For lookalikes riding the wave of social media fame, the ethical and personal challenges are real. While their resemblance to celebrities might open doors, it often leads to typecasting, making it difficult to forge their own identity. Legally, the territory is murky: can someone be sued for impersonating a star if the likeness is natural? And what happens when they begin monetizing that resemblance? The mental toll can be equally heavy, as constant comparisons chip away at self-worth—not everyone wants to live in someone else’s mirror. Celebrities themselves mostly remain silent, with reactions ranging from amusement to indifference, though some, like Anushka Sharma commenting on her lookalike Julia Michaels, have joined the conversation with playful charm.The Future of Celebrity TwinsAs AI tools and filters grow smarter, expect more people to “become” their idols. Already, deepfake and AI-generated celebrity doubles have entered music videos and political satire.Final Word: More Than Just a GimmickIn a fame-hungry, algorithm-driven world, Bollywood lookalikes are no longer just side acts. They are influencers, creators, entrepreneurs—and in some cases, future stars. Sure, they may look like someone else. But their journeys, stories, and hustle? Entirely their own.
