Instagram challenges often emerge when creativity meets idle hands. Who could forget the days of planking, icing, and the Ice Bucket Challenge, mostly born from the minds of people seeking a thrill or advocating a cause? From hardcore exercises to lighthearted antics, Instagram challenges have become the bread and butter of our social media diets. At present the internet has birthed a new trend ‘Ek Machhli Paani Mein Gai, Chappak’ — a challenge that has taken Instagram by storm.
So, how did the viral ‘Ek Machhli, Paani Me Gai, Chapaak’ start?
Originating from the creative mind of Instagram user @maan_na.maan, the video starts like a typical reel — teasing the age-old notion of a girlfriend suspecting her boyfriend’s loyalty. Meanwhile, the boyfriend signals his friends and engages in what appears to be a casual pastime. The boys’ fun game blew up on Instagram and a new challenge was born.
So, whether you’re a social media expert or a casual observer, one thing’s for sure — the era of Instagram challenges is here to stay, injecting a healthy dose of fun and excitement into our digital lives.
My Kolkata picks a few of the best challenges that dominated the internet in the recent past.
Pass the Brush Challenge
The challenge begins with someone proudly flaunting their makeup-free skin, followed by a playful grab of a makeup brush, teasingly held over the camera lens before the grand transformation into a glam new look. To make a perfect video, users were required to pass the makeup brush with flair and edit the footage to make it seem like a friend effortlessly snatches it from air. Amidst the wave of creativity, actress Subhashree Ganguly also added her own touch to the challenge.
Dalgona Coffee Challenge
As the world grappled with the challenges of isolation, Dalgona coffee emerged as a popular trending challenge, inviting users to showcase their barista skills and creativity by sharing their own unique recipe. This creamy concoction made waves across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, under the catchy hashtag #dalgonacoffeechallenge. Actress Disha Madan also stirred up some excitement by joining the Dalgona coffee trend, adding her own flavorful twist to the challenge!
Flip the Switch Challenge
Based on the catchy beats of Drake’s 2018 hit Nonstop, this viral sensation invited participants to stand in front of a bathroom mirror, filming themselves in action. As the song reaches its line “I just flipped the switch,” the action happens. One person swaps places with the other, followed by a swift change in dress or appearance. And guess who joined the fun? None other than Bollywood diva Raveena Tandon and her daughter Rasha, who amazed fans with their own version of the Flip the Switch challenge, adding a touch of star-studded glamour to the mix.
Ice bucket challenge
This viral campaign wasn’t just about getting soaked — it also focused upon raising awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The challenge required people to get drenched with a bucket of icy water, all while being filmed. The challenge made a splash in Hollywood and perhaps the most memorable video for people the world over was when British actor and heartthrob, Benedict 'Sherlock' Cumberbatch, took the challenge. And guess what? He got hit by the ice bucket not once, twice, but five times. The video went viral in no time. Sweeping through the West, the challenge for a cause made its way the world over. Closer home, Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu also took the challenge, adding her star power to the noble cause. She then nominated RockyS and Raj Kundra to take the plunge within 24 hours, making a donation to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association along the way.
10-year challenge
The 10-Year Challenge was a trip down the memory lane or as some like to call it, the 2009 vs. 2019 Challenge. The challenge got users to just post a throwback photo from 2009 side by side with a recent snap from 2019, to let the comparisons roll in. Bollywood jumped on the bandwagon with actors and directors — KJo shared a throwback photo of him before the chunky glasses and the hair dye — posting their decade of transformed looks. Bollywood actresses including Shilpa Shetty, Sonam Kapoor, Diana Penty shared 2009 vs 2019 shots. Even witty funnyman Vir Das, who recently bagged an Emmy for Landing boarded the nostalgia train, sharing a shot of him in Badmaash Company.
Until Tomorrow Challenge
This challenge encouraged users to share their most embarrassing, unflattering or hilarious photos on their Instagram feed, but here’s the catch — they only stay up for 24 hours! And if someone happens to like the post, the user is required to pass on the challenge instructions. Amidst the laughter and candid moments, social media content creator Kareema Barry decided to put her own spin on the challenge, adding a touch of her humorous caption to the trend.
Bottle Cap Challenge
The Bottle Cap Challenge was started by Instagram sensation, Farabi Davletchin, who kicked things off with style and flair. It really picked up after mixed martial artist Max Holloway put it up on Instagram, followed by a number of international celebs. Participants taking part in the challenge attempt to unscrew a bottle cap with a swift kick — all without moving the bottle. From John Mayer and Hollywood action star Jason Statham to our very own Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, celebrities joined the action, showcasing their skills for the world to see.
Dele Alli Challenge
Back in the year 2018, football fans from all across the world were eager to replicate an iconic celebration that took the social media by storm. What appeared to be a simple trick proved to be quite the head-scratcher for many. From Ranbir Kapoor to Divyanka Tripathi, everyone got into action, turning what started as a post-goal celebration into a worldwide phenomenon.
Mannequin Challenge
The mannequin challenge was a viral sensation that had everyone from celebrities to sports teams freezing in their tracks, creating mesmerising videos that left netizens in awe. The Indian cricket team, then led by Virat Kohli, joined the fun after winning the Chennai Test against England. In a video shared on YouTube, the team shows their best mannequin impressions, with players frozen in time as the camera captures the scene.
