Through her debut novel Too Good To Be True, star influencer Prajakta Koli wants to touch hearts
It’s a sun-drenched, deliciously warm, winter morning. At around 12 pm, the buzz in the air thickens. As a petite Prajakta Koli (donning an ethereal Anita Dongre ensemble) tiptoes into the legendary Bahrisons BookStore in Sector 8, Chandigarh, an excited bunch of youngsters bursts out singing and clapping—instantly opening their arms and hearts to welcome their favourite influencer-turned-debutant author.
The 350-strong crowd at the bookstore entrance is merrily crooning lines from Saanvare, the Hindi song featured in the soundtrack of Koli’s debut novel Too Good To Be True. The scene is, incidentally, a clear indication of the immense love and adulation, which Prajakta’s swooning, giggling army of 16 million social media fans have showered on her, ever since she started her YouTube Channel, MostlySane. No wonder, Prajakta Koli’s book event at this Chandigarh bookstore is a frenzy, with 600 plus fans flooding in, hearts full and voices loud, turning the meet-and-greet into a celebration.
Hug in a book’s form
Prajakta’s book feels like a fresh whiff of young romance. Catering majorly to Prajakta’s very young fan base (say from 11 to 21-year-olds), Too Good To Be True is witty, warm, and deeply relatable. “I only enjoy writing romances and am going to stick to this genre for now,” quips the storyteller, who read her first romance novel at the age of 28.
In her bestseller era
And guess what, Too Good To Be True is not just a book—it’s already becoming a phenomenon of sorts. The book is still the Nielsen BookScan India’s No. 1 Fiction Bestseller for over two weeks running, having sold lakhs of copies in just a few weeks. It has surpassed expectations, proving the deep connection her fans feel with her storytelling.
From making us laugh as MostlySane, to winning hearts on screen in Mismatched, JugJugg Jeeyo and Neeyat, Prajakta Koli has always been a storyteller at heart.
Surprisingly though, Prajakta describes her creative process as chaotic. “I’m extremely hardworking, and a constant learner but a little messy and chaotic,” she candidly confesses.
And her creativity truly lies in this chaos, we guess, “I don’t find linear journeys intriguing. I am actually very grateful for a messy arc when it comes to my work.”
Homely girl
Hailing from a loving, middle class home in Thane, Mumbai, 31-year-old Prajakta is still an endearingly homely girl at heart. “My parents have been the beginning and end of everything that I have built today!” What makes Prajakta’s journey magical is the connection she shares with people, “My parents, partner, friends, team and, of course, fans remain my real strength.”
Any daily rituals that contribute to this multi- hyphenated star’s success? “I believe in positive affirmations and showing up daily for myself, besides working very hard,” quips the girl on a whirlwind of a book tour across cities.
Her grit and hard work is clearly visible, knowing she is headed to a university in Chandigarh, a shoot in the fields and then to Amritsar, right after this bookstore event.
True connect
So, having dunked her fingers in so many delicious pies, which part of her career has been closest to her heart? “I think I’ll always be a creator because everything that I have today stemmed from my YouTube channel,” smiles the content creator. “But what touches me most deeply is when my young readers tell me this is the first book they’ve finished,” reveals Prajakta. Too Good to Be True, for Prajakta, isn’t just about writing a book. It’s about touching hearts and creating memories that are, quite like her book, too good to be true!
