Meet Nayeem Mir: The Digital Creator Turning Pain into Powerful Stories

 

Mosin Ahmed

Baramulla, 09 August 2025: Amidst the massive rise in drug addiction, unemployment, suicide cases, and easy access to immoral content on social media in the valley, a young content creator is drawing the attention of Generation Z towards social change through his ground-breaking videos.

Born and raised in a middle-class family from Dardapora village in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he was known as a back-bencher in school and struggled with depression, anxiety, bullying, and isolation.

Now, at 24, Nayeem Mir has amassed over 72,000 followers in just a few months in the vibrant world of Instagram due to his unique and creative approach to short-form storytelling.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Mass Communication from Government Boys Degree College (GDC) Baramulla (Autonomous) in 2023. He credits his quick learning ability for helping him explore many creative fields.

“I am a versatile creative with expertise in multiple fields including directing, scriptwriting, cinematography, storytelling, and editing across formats — films, documentaries, music videos, rap songs, short films, and advertisements. I also have a unique perspective on photography and graphic designing. Additionally, I have a passion for poetry, public speaking, and interviewing,” Mir explained.

His Instagram feed is packed with thought-provoking and educational reels. The ongoing series include Rooh, Aayina, and K Town Tales, which continue to inspire all age groups.

“The Rooh series sparks motivation and healing, as I often receive numerous texts from people who are off-track. I try to help them live better lives. Similarly, the Aayina series encourages social change, highlighting issues such as unethical journalism, waste management, and domestic violence,” he noted.

“K-Town Tales amplifies the untold stories of Kashmir. It is a first-ever initiative where a content creator explores stories district-wise in depth. Currently, we are revealing stories from Baramulla district in Chapter One. After achieving my dream of exploring the entire Jammu and Kashmir, I will move forward to Indian states and union territories as well,” he shared.

“My aim is to ensure Kashmir is remembered globally for its beauty, remarkable people, cultural legacy, rich heritage, and incredible stories. As an artist, I always try to encourage positive change in society, evolve the mentality of people, and build hope for a bright future,” he emphasized.

Every video he uploads carries the weight of a battle he once fought. The engagement and applause he receives today hide the hardships and struggles he once faced.

Mir says he was shy and afraid of teacher-student questioning. Once, he used to sit alone in the last row of the class.

While studying in 7th grade, he involuntarily developed an interest in Urdu poetry. It was 2014, and social media was becoming part of daily routine, so he feared his words might never reach the masses. This thought pushed him towards rap music and writing.

“As my family engaged in pre-dinner conversations under warm candlelight, I would write poetry in my diary titled Mein Tanha. My pen name was Afnaan,” he reminisced.

Since his middle childhood, he was well aware of his family’s financial instability as he always witnessed his parents working hard to earn a livelihood.

“While having a casual conversation with a friend on a nearby ground, I suddenly told him I want to move from here. This small village will kill my dreams. I had to buy a Bugatti, a big house, and earn a handsome amount of money,” he recalled.

Due to disturbance and unrest in the valley in 2016, he was promoted to 10th grade. However, he struggled to concentrate on studies with dedication as his score in the golden test was quite disastrous.

“Once, a teacher told me that I was not going to clear this board exam. I was disturbed because I was unable to express my art,” he vividly recalled.

Somehow, he managed to overcome the hardships and on 16th February 2019, he posted his first rap song under the stage name Axtar on YouTube, which attracted destructive criticism from his friends. However, he continued to record and upload using his semi-damaged phone.

A fresh beginning started in 2020 as he joined college and introduced himself as a rap artist. Everything was going smoothly until COVID-19 intervened.

“I shot many videos during COVID-19 at my home which received a good response. Then suddenly I faced a mental breakdown and I set my diary – Mein Tanha – on fire on the same ground where I used to dream big,” he revealed.

As college resumed after lockdown, he started a new semester and a new life by uploading nearly 80 storytelling vlogs which helped him learn storytelling, cinematography, and editing.

Since creative learning was highly encouraged in his college, his friend came up with the idea of a short film named Schizophrenia – The Misunderstood. The film was produced by the Department of Media Studies, Skill and Research Centre of GDC Baramulla for the international film festival organized by Sony in 2021.

“It was a turning point in my life as it was my first film. I turned my friend’s idea into a script. A team constituted by the college produced the film, and I was the director. Accidentally, I posted the film on Singapore’s server instead of India, so it was disqualified,” he recounted.

Later, the same film won 1st position in Sarhad’s 1st J&K International Film Festival. However, he was unhappy with the film so he decided to create Kashmir’s first post-apocalyptic short film named When It’s Too Late. It was shot at several busy locations such as railways.

“My friend’s acting was remarkable. Additionally, to ensure the smooth conduct of shooting, we obtained permission from many government offices. It was released at the Media Festival 2022 organized by GDC Baramulla,” he stated.

In 2023, he again wished to win Sony’s film festival as his college journey was scheduled to conclude that year. He took up another short film named Come Home. Despite the trailer’s release on 26 September 2023, the film itself never hit the screen.

“Despite being a student, I spent around 20,000 from my savings. Additionally, I invested energy, time, and mental peace, but unfortunately, I missed the festival deadline,” he admitted.

“Even though I missed the deadline, I continued editing the film. Alas, my laptop crashed. In the blink of an eye, I lost all projects and data. It reversed my progress by three years. A significant audience was waiting for its launch,” he lamented.

Now, he began to feel distressed again. Meanwhile, he came across a new friend named Anzar Bashir who stood by him to overcome hardships.

“We put in massive efforts to recover the film’s data. We went to experts and service centres but all in vain. Even some people scammed us online,” he confessed.

Recovering Come Home from the corrupted laptop was impossible; however, a comeback was. So, in January 2024, he decided to restart with something new but luck had other plans. Suddenly, his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.

As her condition improved in August 2024, he and Anzar started freelancing to manage expenses. They started editing clients’ videos, shooting weddings, and somehow managed to buy a camera.

“It was not possible to rent a big studio initially. So, I turned my personal room into a studio,” he explained.

He posted his first Instagram video on 15th February 2025. During the initial days, he posted videos on alternate days. However, in March 2025, he consistently posted 30 videos under a Ramadan series.

“We spent January 2025 planning content and making strategies. Initially, our goal was to reach 50,000 followers in a year. The consistency, dedication, flame of progress, and the ongoing series helped me reach over 72,000 followers,” he remarked.

“I still do freelancing to manage expenses, and I promote only authentic brands. Besides Indian followers, I have an international audience as well,” he noted.

Every month, his content is watched by crores of people across the globe. Anzar Bashir, along with a few other friends, helps him produce such thought-provoking content.

He receives hundreds of messages daily. He shares, “I have received several texts from people who said they were about to commit suicide, but watching my videos changed their minds. My content refreshes the memory of those who left Kashmir years ago, and even people from the valley say they have learned something new about Kashmir.

The author is from Baramulla and is pursuing an M.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Kashmir. He has interned at Rising Kashmir and can be reached at ovais.mohsin7777@gmail.com