Russian Expat Debunks Viral India Myths

New Delhi, December 22, 2025: In an era where travel content often leans into tired tropes, one Russian woman’s refreshing take on life in India has taken the internet by storm. Kseniia Shakirzianova, a Russian expat who has called India home for the past three years, recently shared a candid video debunking the most common myths foreigners hold about the country.

The video, which features Kseniia casually enjoying avocado toast, has resonated with millions for its authenticity and refusal to stick to a “spiritual” or “exotic” script.

Breaking Down the Myths

Kseniia’s video systematically dismantles the “Eat, Pray, Love” stereotypes that often dominate the Western perception of India. Here are the key misconceptions she addressed:

• The Transformation Myth: Many warned her that the intense Indian sun would drastically change her appearance. “I still haven’t gotten a tan,” she joked, “even though everyone promised the sun would burn me.”
• The Food Fallacy: Indian cuisine is often pigeonholed as “too oily” or heavy. Kseniia countered this by noting she hasn’t gained weight, highlighting that daily life in India offers a much broader and healthier variety of food than the “curry” clichés suggest.
• The “Sari and Spirituality” Trope: Perhaps most amusingly, she tackled the idea that moving to India automatically turns one into a spiritual seeker. “I didn’t become spiritually enlightened. I didn’t disappear into retreats,” she said, adding with a smile that she doesn’t wear a sari every day or drink masala chai five times a afternoon.
• The Transport Stereotype: While viral clips often show chaotic traffic and crowded bikes, Kseniia revealed she has never even ridden a bike in India—not even as a passenger.

“India didn’t turn me into a stereotype. It just stayed in India, and I stayed me.” – Kseniia Shakirzianova

A Growing Trend of “Real India” Content

Kseniia isn’t the only one. Earlier this year, another Russian influencer, Anastasia Sharova, went viral for highlighting India’s modern infrastructure, its 22 official languages, and its thriving regional film industries like Tollywood and Kollywood. These creators are part of a shifting narrative that showcases India as a high-tech, diverse, and rapidly developing nation rather than just a land of ancient monuments.

Why It Matters

For many Indian netizens, these videos are a breath of fresh air. Comments on Kseniia’s post have been overwhelmingly positive, with users thanking her for portraying a “balanced perspective” of modern Indian life.

By showing that one can live in India for years without “losing themselves” or fitting into a pre-packaged cultural mold, Kseniia has provided a mirror for a modern, globalized India—one that is as much about high-speed internet and avocado toast as it is about tradition.