70 Year Old Grandmother Has Become a YouTube Star With Her Recipes
At 74, Suman Dhamane from Ahilyanagar had never used the internet or even heard of YouTube. That changed when her 17-year-old grandson, Yash Pathak, asked her to make pav bhaji one day. Impressed by the rich, authentic flavors of her cooking, Yash suggested they start recording her recipes and sharing them online.
In November 2019, they launched a YouTube channel called Aapli Aaji. Just a month later, their first video—featuring a traditional Karele Ki Sabzi (bitter gourd curry)—went viral, crossing over a million views in just a few days.
Today, Aapli Aaji boasts 1.76 million subscribers, and the channel earns between ₹5 to ₹6 lakh per month. Behind this success lies a perfect blend: Yash’s digital expertise and Suman Aaji’s time-honored culinary talent.
Meet The 70 Year Old Maharashtrian Grandma Who Makes Her Dishes With Recipe Of Love
About Suman Dhamane (“Aapli Aaji”)
Early Life and Roots
Born and raised in Sarola Kasar village near Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, Suman Dhamane grew up steeped in the rustic rhythms of traditional farming life. Never formally schooled, she learned her art at her mother’s and neighbors’ kitchen fires—mastering the nuances of spice blends, seasonal vegetables, chutneys, and sweets that form the heart of Maharashtrian cuisine. Now 74, Suman continues to call herself “Aapli Aaji,” Marathi for “our grandmother.”
A Digital Journey Begins
In March 2020, at the age of 70, Suman’s grandson, Yash Pathak (then 17), encouraged her to share her cooking with the world after she confidently outdid his favorite pav bhaji. Despite her complete unfamiliarity with smartphones or YouTube, she said, “I did not know what YouTube was… But now I feel uneasy if I do not share any recipe”.
With Yash’s patient help, Suman recorded her first recipe—bitter gourd sabzi—in March, and soon followed with traditional chutneys, seasonal veg, and sweets.
Breaking Through the Screen
Within six months, “Aapli Aaji” hit over 600,000 subscribers and consistently attracted millions of monthly views. Today, the channel boasts approximately 1.79 million subscribers and earns her ₹5–6 lakh per month—proof that digital fame transcends age.
Her Real & Relatable Style
Suman’s charm lies in her authenticity. Each video features hand-pressed spices, home-grown veggies, and recipes passed down for generations. She cooks with a radiant smile, sharing personal anecdotes and friendly cooking tips that echo family gatherings. Viewers across India and abroad praise her for reviving nostalgic flavors.
From Hesitation to Confidence
Initially, Suman was camera-shy—worrying about her looks, stammering, and cradling English words like “baking powder” and “sauce”. But with every recipe filmed, her comfort grew. She now faces the camera with ease, edits her own videos, and uploads several new episodes each week, even while Yash balanced board exams.
Setbacks and Comebacks
In October 2020, their channel was hacked—a random Bitcoin live stream replaced their content. Suman was distraught, but Yash and community support helped restore it within four days. The ordeal strengthened their resolve to continue sharing recipes.
Beyond Cooking: Spices & Business
Responding to the love for her homemade blends, Suman and Yash began packaging and selling her signature spice mixes commercially. Alongside tending her own 30-acre farm, she hopes to keep sharing for years to come—especially during festive seasons like Dussehra and Diwali.
Legacy, Inspiration, Impact
- Cultural preservation: Through 800+ videos, Suman preserves Maharashtrian culinary heritage for future generations .
- Breaking age norms: Launching a global cooking platform at 70, she’s living proof that passion has no age limit.
- Cross-generational bond: Her collaboration with grandson Yash bridges rural wisdom and modern technology, demonstrating the power of family-led digital empowerment.
In Her Own Words
“Viewers often get tempted by the colour of the food items and spices… To keep up with the never‑ending request for spices, we started making traditional spices on a commercial basis.”
“I did not know what YouTube was… But now I feel uneasy if I do not share any recipe on the channel.”
Suman Dhamane’s story resonates globally: a 74‑year‑old from rural India turning nostalgia into content, village kitchens into studios, and family meals into a digital movement. Through “Aapli Aaji,” she continues to share warmth, tradition, and the simple joy of home-cooked food—and inspires countless others to believe that it’s never too late to follow your heart.
