Aanchal Khurana on Instagram's paid subscription trend

Aanchal Khurana has never shied away from expressing her opinions openly. From winning MTV Roadies to becoming a familiar face on Indian television through shows like Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, Sarojini – Ek Nayi Pehal, Meri Saasu Maa, Santoshi Maa, Zindagi Ki Mehek, Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji, and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2, the actress has built a strong presence in the entertainment industry. Currently seen in Tu Juliet Jatt Di, Aanchal recently shared her views on one of the most talked-about trends in the digital creator space — Instagram’s paid subscription feature.

Speaking about the growing number of creators and actors introducing subscription-based content on Instagram, Aanchal admitted that she has not personally subscribed to anyone yet. However, she revealed that she is curious to understand what exactly creators are offering behind these paywalls that encourages people to spend money regularly.

According to Aanchal, she plans to purchase a subscription herself just to see the kind of content being offered. She said she wants to understand what makes people pay ?200 or ?250 to access exclusive posts and updates. Sharing her honest opinion on the trend, the actress remarked that, in her view, the majority of subscribers to female creators’ profiles are men. She added that she believes “99%” of the people subscribing are Indian men and questioned what exactly they are paying to watch.

The actress further explained that she wants to experience the content firsthand before making a stronger judgment about it. She wondered whether creators are sharing glamorous or “sexy” content, or if the subscriptions mainly include attractive photos and exclusive updates. Aanchal maintained that she would rather explore the feature personally before making a final comment, but repeated that she strongly feels the audience for such subscriptions is largely male.

Aanchal calls the trend profitable and practical

Despite raising questions about the nature of subscription-based content, Aanchal did not dismiss the business side of the feature. In fact, she acknowledged that Instagram subscriptions can be an easy and profitable way for creators to earn money.

The actress said that if creators are successfully making money through subscriptions, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of the opportunity. According to her, these creators clearly know how to attract audiences and convince them to pay for exclusive access, which she described as a talent in itself. She also pointed out that if social media platforms are introducing monetisation features, creators naturally have the right to benefit from them.

Aanchal added that the feature becomes viable and sustainable as long as creators continue earning from it. She stated that if Instagram itself is supporting subscriptions as a revenue model, then there is nothing inherently wrong with people using it for financial growth.

Questions over what content deserves a paywall

While speaking about the larger trend, Aanchal also raised concerns about the type of content people are willing to pay for online. She observed that paid subscriptions are generally associated with actors, performers, dancers, and influencers rather than professionals such as journalists, politicians, or news platforms.

The actress questioned why audiences are not equally interested in subscribing to people who are doing meaningful or informative work that contributes positively to society. She pointed out that subscriptions connected to entertainment and glamour appear to attract more attention and financial support compared to creators working in journalism or public service.

Although she sounded concerned about audience preferences, Aanchal avoided labelling the trend as problematic. Instead, she viewed it as a reflection of what people currently choose to consume online. According to her, if audiences are willing to spend money on entertainment-focused content, creators will naturally continue producing it.

At the same time, Aanchal made it clear that she respects the fact that digital platforms are opening new financial opportunities for creators and artists. While she remains curious about the exact appeal of subscription content, she believes there is nothing wrong with creators monetising their popularity as long as the feature continues to work successfully for them.