Dhruv Rathee is a prominent Indian YouTuber, activist, and political commentator known for his insightful analysis on social, political, and environmental issues. Born on October 8, 1994, Rathee gained widespread recognition through his YouTube channel where he discusses topics ranging from corruption to climate change with a focus on evidence-based reasoning. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and actively advocates for transparency, sustainability, and social justice. With millions of subscribers, his videos have sparked critical conversations and influenced public discourse in India. Rathee continues to be a prominent voice for accountability and progress in the digital age.
Initiated YouTube presence with travel-oriented content, gradually transitioning towards political and social subjects by the end of the year.
2017
Commenced addressing various socio-political issues on YouTube, incorporating fact-checking and explanatory content.
2018
Covered significant events including the 2018 BJP-AAP scuffle, which attracted criticism for perceived bias. Launched “Pee News,” a satirical segment addressing fake news alongside serious content.
2019
Expanded coverage to encompass diverse topics such as the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2023 Indian wrestlers’ protest, while contributing opinion columns to ThePrint until early 2020.
2020
Established “Dhruv Rathee Vlogs” for international travel content, alongside hosting shows like DW Travel and Decode with Dhruv. Also initiated a podcast titled “Maha Bharat with Dhruv Rathee” on Spotify.
2022
Introduced a shorts channel featuring concise fact videos, enhancing accessibility to information. Faced controversy with the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding a video on the political crisis in Pakistan.
2023
Confronted copyright charges from Dabur concerning a video titled “The dark-side of cold drinks,” resulting in a court order for its removal from social media platforms.
April 2024
Announced the launch of five new YouTube channels dedicated to producing dubbed content in regional Indian languages (Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, and Kannada), reflecting an expansion strategy aimed at diversifying content reach and engagement.
Dhruv Rathee Career Statistics
Year
Career Milestones/Details
2011
Developed interest in politics during the Anna Hazare movement.
2014
Started uploading YouTube videos, initially focusing on travel and photography.
October 2014
Uploaded first political video titled “BJP Exposed: Lies Behind The Bullshit.”
May 2018
Reached over 4.6 lakh subscribers on YouTube.
July 2023
Reported to enter Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 as a wild card contestant.
October 2023
Named on TIME Magazine’s Next Generation Leaders 2023 list, becoming the only Indian on the list for that year.
Present
Known for making educational YouTube videos, critical of Indian government policies.
Makes videos using an iPhone and engages in straight-to-camera discussions on Indian government policies and headlines.
Attracts haters and trolls due to critical content.
Participates in television news debates.
Criticizes Modi Government on various issues including Demonetisation, Surgical Strike, and Yogi Adityanath’s appointment.
Defends the Arvind Kejriwal Government in some videos, leading to accusations of bias.
Started a segment called Pee News, a fake news program.
