From marble cutter to million-follower influencer: How one man’s Labour Day post won the internet

What began as a humble tribute to hard work has now become a viral sensation. Dipak, a former construction worker turned Instagram influencer, broke the internet on Labour Day with a deeply personal post chronicling the many hats he wore to earn a living. In a powerful photo carousel, he documented nearly a decade of labour—from marble cutting and carpentry to housekeeping and storekeeping—capturing the attention and admiration of over 1.4 million users.

His Labour Day post wasn’t crafted in a studio or written by a PR agency. It was raw, real, and brimming with quiet resilience. The caption, written in colloquial Hindi, gave context to each photo: working at Pune’s Jupiter Hospital in 2016, then as a labourer at Ashok Tower in 2017, and rising to become a labour contractor at Brabourne Stadium by 2019. But success, as it often does, came with a twist.

The Bill That Cost Him Five Years of Savings

Just when Dipak’s financial life began to stabilise, the pandemic struck a brutal blow. After submitting his bills as a contractor, the nationwide lockdown hit—and the payments never came. Years of savings vanished in an instant. Unable to return to Mumbai for two years, Dipak resorted to housekeeping at construction sites just to stay afloat. His caption from that time reads almost like a quiet cry for justice: "Even today, I keep requesting for that money..."

Back to the Grind, But With a Camera in Hand

By 2023, Dipak was supervising carpentry work at Marine Drive’s Express Tower. A year later, he was employed as a storekeeper for Godrej Pvt Ltd at a site near Neeta Ambani International School in BKC. But while he balanced ledgers and managed materials, another story was unfolding—online.

Dipak’s Instagram page, once just a casual diary, started gaining momentum. Unlike aspirational influencers flaunting designer wear and jet-set lifestyles, his videos featured the everyday man—working, smiling, lip-syncing to Bollywood songs, and sharing snippets of working-class life. His honesty became his USP.

Real Stories, Relatable Faces

What makes Dipak’s story so magnetic is its grounded charm. At a time when influencer culture is often criticised for being out of touch, his content has breathed authenticity into the algorithm. His consistent uploads—whether it’s a fun reel at a dusty worksite or a moment of quiet reflection, or cooking reels—have amassed him a loyal following of over 1.5 million.

The post that blew up had the perfect blend of nostalgia, grit, and relatability. “Maa ka laadla,” he captioned a 2017 photo of himself carrying fertiliser for his mother. That single line captured the spirit of a generation that works not just for survival but for dignity, family, and hope.

A Modern Labour Icon for the Digital Age

Dipak’s rise from manual labour to internet fame is not just a personal triumph—it’s symbolic. It reframes what success can look like in the 21st century. It's a reminder that stories rooted in truth will always find an audience, and that the digital space still has room for those with no filters—just authenticity and heart.

On Labour Day, while many shared symbolic messages, Dipak lived his story—and the internet listened.