Neha Thombre has emerged as a trailblazing Buddhist content creator. Neha, a farmer’s daughter from Maharashtra’s countryside, is on a journey from obscurity to viral stardom, which is as inspiring as unconventional. Despite facing exclusion and prejudice in the art world of Pune and Mumbai, she persevered and channelled her resilience into creativity and activism.
Starting her career as an engineering lecturer in Mumbai, Neha’s passion for theatre and social justice never dimmed. Initially, She was rejected repeatedly in traditional theatre circuits. But she turned to her roots and moved back to Nagpur. It was there, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, that she found her voice online and started creating content that struck a chord with audiences across India. Her humorous yet incisive alter ego, “Thombre Bai,” became a sensation, blending satire with poignant social commentary.
Today, Neha is more than just a viral content creator with nearly 100,000 followers on YouTube and Instagram. She has collaborated with organizations like the Election Commission Maharashtra and CRPF Nagpur to promote civic awareness and gender equality. Her witty shorts and impactful campaigns prove that content creation can be both entertaining and meaningful.
Grounded by her Ambedkarite values, Neha represents the spirit of equality, unity, and humanism. She has turned rejection into resilience and created a legacy that uplifts and inspires. As she says, “I don’t want to be famous for fame’s sake—I want my work to matter.” And matter, it does.