The Pookie Phenomenon: examining Prayag Mishra

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

UMMM I unintentionally dropped this video on the one-year anniversary of "it's the way you act"...call it fate, perhaps.

[@GrannuQwerty]

🎉

[@LIL-MAN_theOG]

people dont get it when you describe him because HE IS NOT A POOKIE!!!!!! Those who think he is a pookie DONT KNOW WHAT A POOKIE IS. Sista, you really dont know what youre talking about...he is ACTUALLY acting like what a CHAD is. He is not a pookie because he says he is one, and you fell for it. Take it from a bruh who has lots of cousins and brothers who are ACTUAL POOKIES. You need to get out the suburbs and into the hood...Nav the Indian rapper/ producer from Toronto would be closer to a pookie before this dude. SMH.

[@gdfrisina5065]

it feels like his popularity stems from the fact that it seems so rare at least online for a man to be so outgoingly flirty without it feeling creepy or cringe it just comes so naturally to him fr

[@aloe704]

I think also about the timing. This is after the entire "Red-Pill Movement" and when Andrew Tate/Sneako became popular. So it was refreshing to see someone reclaiming Masculinity. And that you don't have to be a "Sigma Male" (aka incel lmao) to be masculine

[@mangopudding5979]

Naturally? No. Every man is this way.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Calling Prayag ‘sassy’ is like calling him ‘Zesty Bestie’. Also, clearly the people who call him ‘sassy’ have never met a queer person lol

[@QueenZsWorld]

they really haven't. I think it's just a way for misogynists to police masculinity and keep people down.

[@ZDHTJ]

Really??😆

[@redaleta]

Not surprised that he worked in sales. His video look like a lot of fun and quite joyful. Ok the laughter is so much fun. Embroidery!? Headed to Instagram.

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

I'll see you there 😈

[@khizzard_069]

I'm an 18 y/o guy and seeing men like him out there feels like receiving a warm hug; reassuring me to continue being a gentle and kind human being, let alone healthy masculinity.

[@AsSeenOnTV0893]

The general internet is quick to label anyone enjoying themselves harmlessly in a way they don't prefer as "cringe" 😩

[@MENACE-km6bd]

He is cringe, but "cathartic 🌟 cringe." He clearly doesn't care how he comes off in a comedic way. He's like a friend lol.

[@AcyraxJ]

In conjunction with the fact that he’s handsome, I’ll also throw this out there for people in different circumstances, I was once waiting for a friend outside, singing under my breath to kill time, and the security of the building deemed me a creeper stalking the premises until my friend arrived

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

I'm sorry that happened to you :( for context, the guy I referenced in my video was on a sidewalk in broad daylight while singing to himself. If I found him, say, in an empty parking lot at 11:30 PM, this would be a lot less charming LMAO

[@redluv123]

This video was such a beautiful celebration of a different archetype of man that we are used to seeing in this sad, deteriorating world. Very refreshing. A++ job!

[@ssupeye]

the way he talks doesn't comes as cringe like most white males but naturally playful. like somehow I feel safe when seeing his vids and he's genuinely funny

[@92_09]

Of course. He is made for people like you

[@a.alphonso6193]

Lol..... it's definitely cringe. you can just say you find him hot

[@sparklingblood09]

@@92_09”he’s made” no it’s just him

[@Blaze6432]

Yes targeting white males like a crying liberal..... why are you so obsessed with white people?

[@zinganeatsr4011]

Idk, I just think he’s neat :)

[@lalaland2107]

HE’S HOT AND FUNNY, A LETHAL COMBINATION

[@maleehadamda6814]

this video really changed my perspective on this dude, who initially made me uncomfy w the reels with the aggressive dance thingy. but yeah, I'm not the best person to ask when it comes to how to give any man the benefit of the doubt with prevalent man-hating narrative present in the world. so thanks for this!! as a fellow desi woman, I think your videos (and pronunciations) are really cool!

[@drugstore999cowgrl]

What “prevalent man hating narrative”??

[@godsangel67able]

@@drugstore999cowgrl I was wondering the same thing?

[@Aster_Risk]

​@@godsangel67ableI assume they mean women no longer putting up with men's b.s.

[@laymayrosey]

not to encourage the "sassy man apocalypse", but also a man who acts with gestures or makes jokes that my friends (girls) might also do is really nice to see, specifically bc it's not in a mocking way, but like wow this chad-bro-looking man still giggles like my bestie

[@satchohio348]

RIP Sparkle Rai.

[@pronoydutta614]

He's likely getting the attention 'cause he's very attractive and vaguely affable, just like several famous female content creators.( Hence, the sassy comparison.) Good for him. I think people just don't get to see that because the visual bar is in hell for male content creators often, imo. Especially Asian origin male content creators. It's coasting off Ssssniperwolf logic, imo. Both are equally inane and meant for fairly young people.

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

yeah I definitely understand if not everyoen enjoys his content, but i don't think it's fair to compare this dude to SSSSNIPERWOLF of all people 😭😭😭

[@pronoydutta614]

​​@@KarraMeansSpicylol... I know. I meant physical attractiveness comparison wise. I think a lot of people watch her for that. I don't mean her behaviour per se.

[@M-atk]

I'm unsure if other cultures say it, but BW say it for a term like “buddy.” You get different reactions to it, depending on how you say it. It's a feminized version of the word 🥷🏾 (it's cutesy and demure😂) he feels “homely” because he is the metrosexual form of the safe gay (ex: Landon Romano) that gets his mannerisms from BW. It's just black culture/lingo making it to the mass market and other ethnicities not understanding/caring where it stems from. I've been called Pookie Bear since I was knee-high (men often called me Pooh) a huge downside of being a “popular” minority is our language gets bastardized. A great example is how the word ‘woke’ became a racial Epithet and basically lost its common meaning.

[@SomethingNewAMBW]

pookie isn't used for "buddy", wth told you that? 9/10 it's used in a negative way

[@M-atk]

@@SomethingNewAMBW I saw the other comments. Pookie is not just a negative term. You should know that if you are BA. This is a common nickname from older women, just like ‘man man’ or ‘honeybunni.’ I was using ‘buddy’ as a similar YT people term, the meaning of which can change depending on the tone you use. Clearly, you have some issues; I can't help with that. I don't equate childhood nicknames with th*g behavior; you do.

[@aloe704]

*Damn I literally forgot about him.*

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

here's your reminder 😈

[@TheBrownExperience]

Damn the lore with this guys goes deep lol. Only seen him a few times on TikTok and obvs the word has gone global. He’s good rep though ngl seems like a cool guy

[@imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915]

I feel like I should hate him, but I sorta love this journey for him 😭 let him pookie in peace! ✌️

[@eshna2012]

A lot of the points you made about his appeal, like joyous masculinity and highlighting the importance of self love for his audience is a BIG reason ppl become fans of the group BTS … What I mean is, I think you’re right that there is a trend away from the western idea of masculinity, but this trend has slowly been gaining movement from about a decade ago …. The numbers proof is the millions of people around the world that dub themselves ARMY because of this ideology similar to pookienation, that is prevalent in music and content from BTS as well. I’m so here for all these “fandoms” allowing ppl to connect over positive, empathetic intelligence. Also, LOVE ur videos, pls keep it up! 🩵💜🤍

[@a.alphonso6193]

lol. no people become BTS fans because they fetishize white looking Korean men

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

Thank you

[@mehlover]

I had nonidea who this guy was. I only learned of him when I learned about the sassy man apocalypse (which I missed). I was so confused that the roman Empire clup was considered to be sassy. But glad to find out who this guy is

[@harveycreekin]

Karra Means Freaky threatening to come to my house and "Smash" my "smartphone" 😮 Ooops 🤰

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

this comment has me crying actual tears

[@QueenZsWorld]

I just discovered who he is through this video and I think he's incredible. he seems charismatic, funny, and isn't harming anyone (from what I can tell). we need to laugh without taking things too seriously. I agree. now I'm part of Pookie Nation

[@gz5405]

Dw I’m gonna watch the whole video but I have to admit I initially clicked cause omg girl you are STUNNING!!

[@cassiopeiathew7406]

I actually love him like he’s annoying but I LOVE his WORK

[@sebastian_goat]

THAT LINE ABT LALA LAND AND THE BARBIE MOVIE… 📣📣📣

[@lavenderchai4612]

He’s like the Desi version of Keeho

[@aninshii]

No wait...why is it so trueeee

[@meirie-nb5gn]

SO REALLL

[@lockheart619]

I'm screaming, I see this man everywhere 😭

[@okaka-97]

love the vid, love big pookie and love you too kaara

[@sheldonlamey7010]

I didn't know that Women left freaky comments.... especially since most things sexual is seen as creepy nowadays. But maybe that only applies when Guys say stuff like that, which is sad

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

most of the comments I showed were from women! I always hid behind the guise of "it was just a joke, I don't actually mean it" which I think is the context a lot of girls leave these comments in, which of course doesn't make it ok, unless the other person is in on the joke (i.e. they know you IRL and you know their sense of humor)

[@spacebar9733]

It’s not sad bc we don’t actually act on it the rate men do!! Hope this helps ❤ Unless they ask you to stop or it’s going too far ofc.

[@Joyful_Smiles]

Awe...I love this cross cultural connection. I'm Black American and we use the term Pookie as well. Originally, it's a term of endearment for a loved one or a person's childhood nickname. But now it means a male who says the right things, is very charming, but is childish, narcissistic, controlling, and dependent on women to take care of him. Many times he has multiple children by different women. Anyways, I just thought it was cute to see another culture uses the word Pookie.

[@DerpDerp27]

Girl, they are just copying us. Bro is cosplaying as a black man

[@vladimirvilliani6732]

POOKIE GANG STAND UP

[@mykitteniskillingmebaby]

Missed u KARRRAAAA

[@ashleylobo7090]

Hey! have you watched India's selection for next year's Oscar nomination "Lapatta Ladies" yet!? Can you talk about it please! 🙏🏻❤️

[@floppy_hands1770]

No we just sent it for consideration for nomination the official nomination occurs in December I think

[@ashleylobo7090]

​@@floppy_hands1770 Yeah that's what I meant actually 😅

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

I've always thought about doing a series where I watch popular Hindi films (both current and retro) and do like an "NRI watches ___ for the first time" reaction type videos. What do you think?

[@ashleylobo7090]

@@KarraMeansSpicy Omg yess ❤️

[@ashleylobo7090]

@@KarraMeansSpicy Also not just Hindi movies, you can react on Punjabi, Garhwali, Bengali, Gujrati, Marathi, Malayali, Telugu, Assamese, Bhojpuri...... I mean we make movies in so many languages/dialects all over India. Would love to watch your reaction/review! And at the end you can rate it also.

[@АннаВасюкова-м1ъ]

I adore you, your videos always bring me joy 🎉😅

[@ays162]

I think the reason why he can’t be cringe is coz he is purposely doing the cringe parts. After that it’s just fun and silly and stupid and nice.

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

plssss let's all be fun and silly and stupid and nice :)))

[@NoOne-lc8qj]

I’m the pookie and she’s the freaky

[@tylerdurden8422]

Can someone explain me what "pookie" means?

[@ohdreamaker]

it's a term of endearment i believe

[@pietrycranberry6621]

​@@ohdreamakerMaybe. Yes, depending on the context. Some Black people use "Pookie" not as a term of endearment,but as a euphemism to describe men with character flaws that makes them a terrible choices for a partner. It was shortened from"Pookies & Ray Rays," names that are meant to imply low class men.

[@MarjorieStewartBaxter]

This right here ​@@pietrycranberry6621

[@tireduwu1734]

Unrelated, but the reason why Prayag's lips become dry after wearing lip balms may be because his skin doesn't take well to beeswax, which is a common ingredient in lip products. It used to happen to me too; I would use a lip balm only for my lips to hurt and feel drier than they were before. I would suggest him to look into beeswax free alternatives.

[@crimsonsr1000]

not Karra means freaky😭

[@Lacavadoe]

That is a beautiful man 😂. He needs to drop a skincare routine.

[@rooboatdeer22yu51]

I'm sure this man could be sassy as in witty ready to read one to filth spicy, but nothing in his content made me think of that word. As you said it I was thinking to myself is this man sassy? No he is not.

[@kiarasessyoin-xo8vf]

❤❤❤❤ ❤

[@bedsidearts]

Be Silly Love Your Silly!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@Thisisjustname]

Girl, you got 14, 000 followers.

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

RAAHHHHH THAT'S INSANE!!!!!

[@13579hee]

People like him cause he's attractive. And, honestly, he fits the ideal version of attractiveness within the Black community so that's why Black women fell for him so hard (and Black women made him pop). If he were Black, he'd be called "corny", "weird" & "sus".

[@Goldenfly737]

Why are you bringing black here we are talking about indian

[@13579hee]

@@Goldenfly737 because.......... Black women are why he blew up

[@iHongBuns]

I remember when I found out he was married with a child, I was like that's so crazyyy but not a lot of people were upset about it tbh but I also feel like a lot of people don't know if they don't keep up with him

[@iHongBuns]

married AND with a child, omg not married to one

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

hmmm really? In all my research, i didn't see anywhere that he was married and had a kid... he even made a video recently saying that he couldn't wait to do "relationship" content with his future wife. But then again, even if he is married and just waiting for the right time to announce it, that is entirely up to him

[@Dayonetheone]

Pookies are typically unsavory characters who are deadbeat fathers. Who do not work or sometimes even drug dealers. They are usually edgey characters (the bad boy types.) They look good and sometimes have a reputation for having a package on them, if you know what I mean. Thus having a lot of baby mommas. Some turn into rappers and or athlete's if they have the talent. The rapper Future would be considered a wealthy "Pookie." This dude is definitely a "Chad!"

[@thisisavivistanaccount7866]

i followed him in the pandemic bc i tend to follow account/creators that bring me joy. Also for some reason tiktok kept trying to serve me cringy overtly sexual thirst traps of me and that isn’t for me. I don’t enjoy that content. I just wanna see people vibing and being silly/playful

[@BeansKneez]

not you liking the pregnant man emoji lmao

[@destined1536]

I didn’t know NRIs had their own version of Hamza Syed

[@_sophies]

maybe I'm too much of a cynic, but I get bad vibes from him, it doesn't ring as genuine to me, but I guess if he's not hurting anyone..

[@saiyamoru]

This 100%. I feel like people are way too quick to forget that staged and edited videos are not a creator's personality. It is what they are presenting to their audience. And when they're literally referring to their audience and themselves by matching nicknames? Calculated. It's what people do when they start to market themselves like a product. Edit: realize that sounds v. negative, did not mean to come across like that. clearly he's been very successful in this strategy so it's actually a pretty smart route to gain traction on social media! but also i feel weird about being marketed to on a 'personal brand' level so it's just not my cup of tea. :)

[@ashketchup4377]

Another video in same week LFG

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

thank you for your support, ashketchup

[@shravyaamin8346]

Why are people so offended with others enjoying themselves(also not harming others)..... Like there were times in the desi cultures where women would be sitting in the veranda of their homes n gossiping about people..... Mauhalle ki aunties...

[@nikoblack1272]

he was "sassy" before people turned it into a weird homophobic thing😂

[@squidboitoys]

16:49 you said doodoo lol

[@ChampayneCole]

The only cringe I had for Prayag is "pookie" is often a nickname in American Black culture so seeing him use it & blow it up was weird (not that he's in control of that). As far as being sassy, people are just being rude because he's handsome & comfortable enough in how own skin to be playful.

[@AncientOne222]

I don't like it he is using the vernacular and mannerisms of black women to monetize his channel, historically I have seen this type of trope more than I can count, I'm disgusted to see yet another person doing it and not giving credit to where his entire online personality comes from.

[@louimmature]

Hi pookie

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

hello 😈

[@johnnygab4376]

What I find extremely puzzling is why you devoted 18 minutes to promoting this man. I find your videos to be very insightful and thoughtful, but this one is most puzzling

[@LizNeptune]

People can’t talk about things they like? lol it’s her page

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

@johnnygab4376 There's nothing to be puzzled about! I firmly believe that if you spend all your free time taking on the weight of the world's problems as an attempt to solve each crisis, you will stop functioning as a human being and will go completely insane. Somedays I talk about important and pressing issues, other days I talk about memes and make 18 minute videos uplifting other Desi creators simply because they make me smile. There is no Yin without Yang!

[@gx7418]

he's pronouncing 'pookie' like 'poo-keh' which means...something else in Tagalog 😭

[@LIL-MAN_theOG]

people dont get it when you describe him because HE IS NOT A POOKIE!!!!!! Those who think he is a pookie DONT KNOW WHAT A POOKIE IS. Sista, you really dont know what youre talking about...he is ACTUALLY acting like what a CHAD is. He is not a pookie because he says he is one, and you fell for it. Take it from a bruh who has lots of cousins and brothers who are ACTUAL POOKIES. You need to get out the suburbs and into the hood...Nav the Indian rapper/ producer from Toronto would be closer to a pookie before this dude. SMH.

[@kjosu]

can u define pookie for us uncultured??

[@brieg1891]

Please 🧐

[@keke5577]

He's using Pookie as a term of endearment in this circumstance. I'm sure he wouldn't have chosen it if he'd known of the OTHER use of Pookie 😂

[@KarraMeansSpicy]

I've only ever heard the word "pookie" to describe one's lover... but then again, I'm "from the suburbs" lmao. What am i missing here?

[@AsSeenOnTV0893]

@@KarraMeansSpicy "Pookie and them" - unsavory characters to put it very formally lol. But different communities, different connotations I guess

[@BluEx22329]

😂

[@beegbeeg9871]

8:54 It's so sad that society has ingrained a belief that something so trivial as singing under your breath is seen as "not masculine"

[@Solinesn3p]

I think I just died from cringe.

[@saiyamoru]

1:54 yeah i'm one of those people. i think this is maybe just a 'people have a type' phenomenon? in my elderly perspective, anyone seeking out this kind of parasocial relationship with their audience is not...normal. Or looking out for their own best interest, frankly.