Introduction
Gima Ashi In the world of digital entertainment, a twenty‑something from Haridwar managed to turn a simple lip‑sync video into a springboard for fame. Garima Chaurasia, known by her playful stage name Gima Ashi, became one of India’s most recognisable social media personalities. Her rise wasn’t engineered by a marketing firm but by her own enthusiasm, creativity and ability to connect with millions of viewers. What began as an experiment on TikTok turned into a multi‑platform career that includes acting, music‑video appearances and partnerships with major brands.
Despite her popularity, Gima Ashi often jokes that she still prefers pani puri to champagne and would rather dance on a rooftop than walk a red carpet. Her relatable persona, coupled with professional work ethic, has made her a role model for aspiring digital creators. This biography explores her early life, education, meteoric rise on social media, transition into mainstream media and the quirks that keep her grounded.
Quick Facts and Personal Details
The following tables summarise key information about Gima Ashi’s background, family and current status. These facts are derived from public interviews, trusted biographies and reputable news articles.
Profile Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Real name | Garima Chaurasia |
| Stage name / nickname | Gima Ashi (pronounced jee‑ma aa‑shee) |
| Date of birth | 28 August 1997 |
| Place of birth | Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India |
| Age (2025) | 28 years |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hometown | Haridwar, currently based in Mumbai |
| Education | Graduate in Engineering, College of Engineering Roorkee; schooled at Swami Hariharanand Public School, Haridwar |
| Height | Approx. 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) |
| Occupation | Model, social media influencer, actress, YouTuber |
| Years active | 2017 – present |
Family & Relationships
| Relation | Information |
|---|---|
| Father | Anil Chaurasia, a businessman; she is his only child |
| Mother | Name not publicly disclosed |
| Siblings | None – she often mentions growing up as a single child |
| Marital status | Unmarried; she has stated in interviews that she is focusing on her career |
| Children | None |
Favourite Things
| Category | Favourite items |
|---|---|
| Foods | Pizza, chicken noodles, sushi, chilli prawns and occasionally homemade garam chai |
| Colours | Red, pink and yellow |
| Hobbies | Travelling, dancing, photography, fashion blogging and spending time with dogs |
| Actors/Actresses | Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Disha Patani |
| Singers | Emiway Bantai, Badshah, Jassie Gill |
| Dream | To appear in mainstream Bollywood films and inspire young women to pursue creative careers |
Social Media Presence (approximate followers in 2025)
| Platform | Account | Key content | Followers |
|---|---|---|---|
| @gima_ashi | Fashion reels, dance clips, travel vlogs, brand collaborations | ≈ 15 million | |
| YouTube | Gima Ashi Official | Hauls, lifestyle vlogs, dance tutorials and behind‑the‑scenes videos | ≈ 400 k |
| TikTok (before ban) | @gima_ashi | Lip‑sync and dance videos, humorous skits | Peaked at 17 million+ followers |
| Twitter/X | Various fan pages; she rarely uses Twitter personally | Occasional updates and interactions | Sparse |
Early Life and Education
Garima Chaurasia was born on 28 August 1997 in Haridwar, a holy city along the banks of the Ganges River. Growing up as the only child of Anil Chaurasia, she enjoyed a close-knit family environment. She attended Swami Hariharanand Public School in Haridwar, where she excelled at dance and extracurricular activities. Her teachers recall her as a lively student who would organise impromptu performances during cultural festivals. After school, she pursued an engineering degree at the College of Engineering Roorkee. Completing her studies gave her technical skills but also taught her discipline and the courage to try unconventional paths.
Haridwar isn’t just a spiritual hub; it’s also a town where the arts flourish. Many local fairs and temple festivals feature folk performances, and Garima’s early exposure to these events sparked her love for dance. She trained in classical and contemporary styles and later incorporated those moves into her short videos. Her educational journey built a safety net; she once joked that if social media had not worked out, she might have been “stuck in a cubicle debugging code instead of dancing on rooftops.”
Rise to Fame on TikTok
Gima Ashi’s career began humbly. In 2017, she uploaded her first videos to TikTok (then still known as Musical.ly), experimenting with lip‑syncing and dance routines. Her playful expressions and effortless style attracted followers quickly. The turning point came in February 2019 when she and her friend Rugees Vini danced to “Bahut Hard,” a track from the film Gully Boy. The clip went viral almost overnight, earning her the affectionate nickname “Bahut Hard Girl.” She later recounted that she filmed the video in one take on a whim, never expecting the avalanche of likes and shares that followed.
By late 2019, she had amassed millions of followers and won the “TikTok Star of the Year” award at the Indian Television Academy Awards. Shortly thereafter, she was featured on Forbes India’s “30 Under 30” list, which celebrated her influence in the digital space. These achievements signalled that social media careers could be both financially rewarding and culturally significant. Her following soon reached more than 17 million before the Indian government banned TikTok in 2020.
Transition to Instagram, YouTube and Mainstream Media
When TikTok disappeared from Indian app stores, many content creators lost their primary platforms. Gima Ashi, however, treated the setback as an opportunity. She migrated to Instagram, focusing on short reels, fashion look‑books and travel vlogs. Within a year she garnered over 14 million followers, proving that her appeal wasn’t limited to one platform. She complemented her Instagram presence with a YouTube channel, where she posts detailed clothing hauls, make‑up tutorials and lifestyle stories. Her honest reviews and unfiltered commentary have earned her a loyal subscriber base.
The shift into mainstream media started with appearances in Punjabi music videos such as “Tattoo” by Nawab and “Ranjheya” by Ravneet Singh. These projects showcased her on-screen presence and opened doors to acting opportunities. In 2020, she made her film debut in the comedy‑drama Bala, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam. Although her role was brief, critics noted her natural charisma. She later appeared in commercials for brands such as Maybelline, Garnier and Pepsi, combining her social media reach with traditional advertising. Her ability to remain authentic while promoting products has made her a favourite among advertisers.
Career Timeline and Milestones
| Year | Milestone / Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Started posting lip‑sync and dance videos on TikTok while completing engineering studies |
| Feb 2019 | Viral “Bahut Hard” dance video with Rugees Vini catapulted her to national attention |
| Oct 2019 | Won the TikTok Star of the Year award at the Indian Television Academy Awards |
| Dec 2019 | Featured in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list, recognising her influence on youth culture |
| 2020 | Transitioned to Instagram and YouTube after TikTok’s ban; made acting debut in the film Bala |
| 2021 | Nominated for the Zee Cine Digital Award for Best Actress in a Web Series (nomination) |
| 2021–2023 | Appeared in music videos like “Tattoo,” “Ranjheya” and “Munda Baimaan”; began brand collaborations with Maybelline, Garnier and Pepsi |
| 2024 | Launched her own fashion line and collaborated with online shopping platforms for limited‑edition collections |
| 2025 | Working on web series projects and continuing to grow her influencer career with over 15 million Instagram followers |
Personal Life, Hobbies and Interests
Away from the camera, Gima Ashi enjoys a surprisingly ordinary routine. She is a self‑described “homebody” who loves cooking Maggi noodles late at night, binge‑watching romantic comedies and caring for her pet dogs. She practices yoga to stay fit and credits dance rehearsals for keeping her in shape. Travelling is another passion; her social feeds often feature picturesque locations ranging from the beaches of Goa to the mountains of Himachal Pradesh.
Garima values her privacy and rarely discusses relationships publicly. She has confirmed that she is single and prefers to maintain a clear boundary between her professional and personal life. In interviews, she has emphasised the importance of mental health and the need to take digital detox breaks. Her candidness about the pressures of influencer culture resonates with many young people facing similar stresses. Despite her success, she still visits Haridwar regularly to reconnect with family and friends and to participate in local festivals.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Estimating the net worth of social media personalities can be tricky because income streams vary widely. Industry insiders estimate that Gima Ashi’s net worth is somewhere between ₹1 crore and ₹2 crores (about US$120 000 – 240 000) as of 2025. Her earnings come from brand endorsements, sponsored posts, music video appearances, acting fees and her e‑commerce collaborations. She reportedly charges ₹3 to 5 lakh for a sponsored Instagram post. These figures should be taken as approximations; she has not publicly confirmed specific numbers. Nonetheless, her financial success demonstrates the viability of content creation as a career when handled professionally.
Interesting Facts and Trivia
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Nickname origin | The moniker “Gima Ashi” combines her given name Garima and a stylised version of “Ash” from her social handles. She chose it because it sounded catchy and unique. |
| Viral catchphrase | The phrase “Bahut Hard” (“very hard” or “amazing” in slang) became synonymous with her following the viral 2019 dance video. |
| Fitness routine | She practices yoga and hip‑hop dance but admits to indulging in junk food; her motto is “balance is key.” |
| Music preferences | She enjoys Bollywood and Punjabi tracks as well as indie hip‑hop. Her playlists often feature Badshah, Emiway Bantai and Billie Eilish. |
| Philanthropy | Gima Ashi quietly supports animal shelters and has used her platform to promote pet adoption. She has participated in charity drives in her hometown. |
| Entrepreneurship | In 2024 she launched a capsule clothing line that sold out within days, proving her business acumen. |
| Fear | She once admitted on a podcast that she is terrified of roller coasters despite appearing fearless online. |
| Future plans | She hopes to star in a full‑length feature film and publish a book about her journey to inspire young women. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Gima Ashi’s real name?
A: Her real name is Garima Chaurasia. She adopted the stage name Gima Ashi for her social media personas because it was unique and memorable.
Q2: When and where was she born?
A: Garima Chaurasia was born on 28 August 1997 in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.
Q3: How did she become famous?
A: She gained fame in 2019 when her “Bahut Hard” dance video on TikTok went viral. The clip showcased her charisma and dance skills, attracting millions of viewers and rapidly increasing her following.
Q4: What did she study in college?
A: She completed an engineering degree at the College of Engineering Roorkee. She has said that the discipline and problem‑solving skills she learned in engineering help her manage her business today.
Q5: Has she acted in films?
A: Yes. She made her film debut in 2020 with a supporting role in the Hindi comedy‑drama Bala and has since appeared in several music videos and commercials.
Q6: What are her favourite hobbies?
A: Gima Ashi enjoys travelling, dancing, photography and spending time with her pet dogs. She is also passionate about fashion and often posts styling tips on her social channels.
Q7: What is her estimated net worth?
A: According to industry estimates, her net worth ranges from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crores (roughly US$120 000 – 240 000) as of 2025. She earns through brand endorsements, acting roles and her own fashion line.
Q8: Is she married?
A: No. Garima Chaurasia is currently single and has stated that she is focusing on her career and personal growth.
Social Media Links
You can follow Gima Ashi on her official social media accounts:
- Instagram: @gima_ashi – her main platform with fashion reels, dance videos and travel updates.
- YouTube: Gima Ashi Official – watch her hauls, lifestyle vlogs and tutorials.
- Facebook: Search “Gima Ashi Official” to find her verified page for updates and live sessions.
Conclusion
Gima Ashi represents the new wave of Indian creators who transformed their passions into profitable careers. From her humble beginnings in Haridwar to the glitz of Mumbai and beyond, her story is a testament to perseverance and authenticity. She combines humour, logic and relatability in her content, making millions of followers feel like friends. As she continues to expand into acting and entrepreneurship, her journey proves that creativity, hard work and a little bit of fun can take you from a small town to the centre of the digital spotlight.
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