You Tubers in India rejoiced at the third YouTube FanFest in Mumbai, an exclusive live show and festival bringing together established and emerging YouTube stars from India and around the world with fans.

YouTube FanFest gives fans the unique opportunity to meet their favorite internet heroes in person. This year, YouTube FanFest was held at the massive DOME@NSCI SVP Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, 18^th March, 2016. Over 6,000 fans got a face-to-face chance with their favorite YouTube stars, local internet sensations, and up-and-coming talent performing live on stage.

The pre event Red Carpet was a much looked out part of the festival, where fans got to meet the stars who were strutting to the venue, up close. This year’s show featured a dynamic mix of music, comedy, dance, fashion and much more, all together on one stage. The stellar line-up featured over 35 widely popular YouTubers from around the world, including Lilly Singh aka IISuperwomanII, Connor Franta, All India Bakchod, SANAM, Kanan Gill and Biswa Kalyan Rath, East India Comedy, Bryden-Parth Music, Abish Mathew, Kaushal, Kenneth Sebastian, Kurt Hugo Schneider, and many more. Infact those fans who missed out on the tickets to the show, could watch the YouTube FanFest live streamed in the comfort of their home.

With social media buzzing about the event, secrets were out on where and what the top line YouTube stars were upto. It was no surprise to fine fans lined up at Four Seasons Hotel in Worli to get a chance to meet the most sought after YouTuber Lily Singh aka IISuperwomanII. Many were waiting for over two to three hours to meet her, that too meeting her unofficially high on their wish list.

At a press conference a day prior to the event, Kurt Hugo Schneider the charming lad from the US on his third visit to India was ecstastic about being here...“I’m pumped that I’m coming back to Mumbai for the third YouTube FanFest, the fans are some of the best in the world and I’m excited to perform for them again!”.

Connor Franta an American entrepreneur, writer, and YouTuber. As of November 2015, his self-named main channel on YouTube has 5 million subscribers. ON his first visit to India he said “This will be my first time taking part in the YouTube FanFest in India and I am beyond excited. I simply love being here, it’s such a lovely place, I have heard so much of India and now I am finally here.”

The biggest draw from all the YouTubers was nevertheless Indo – Canadian Lily Singh aka Superwoman who found fame through her hilarious and inspiring comedy videos that centre on various topics. A vlogger, singer and rapper, this was Singh’s third trip. The 27 year old has more than 8 million subscribers and 1 billion views on her channel.

Despite exam fever running high, the venue was chock a block with fans all over the place, hours before doors could open. Once in the DOME, screaming fans bayed for Lily every time an act got over. This year’s event saw stars like New Zealander lass Shirley Retia, pop band Sanam, high level comedy from AIB, Abish Mathew, ARJUN, Bryden-Parth Music, Darshan Raval, East India Comedy, HyderabadDiaries, Kanan Gill & Biswa Kalyan Rath, Kaushal, Kenneth Sebastian, Maati Baani and of course Lily Singh.

Fans can never get enough of YouTube FanFest. Until next year.keep the faith.

n  By Verus Ferreira