“Shakira to Patola real quick”
A new social media trend called “Shakira vs. Patola” is taking over TikTok and Instagram, celebrating the dual identities that many brown women proudly switch between online and offline.
The viral format showcases creators contrasting a global, Shakira-style Western glam persona with a Desi patola avatar through sharp outfit and vibe transitions in one video.
In most clips, the video opens with Shakira-coded energy, featuring Western partywear, sexy pop star confidence, and a clear nod to ‘Hips Don’t Lie’.
As the beat drops, creators switch into full patola mode, wearing Punjabi or Indian outfits, layered jewellery and delivering high-energy bhangra or Bollywood-inspired moves.
Captions often read “I can do both” or “I’m Shakira, but I dress up as Patola,” reinforcing the idea that one woman can embody both identities effortlessly.
Audio plays a huge role, with many reels using mashups blending Shakira-style beats with Punjabi patola sounds for a dramatic before-and-after transition moment.
@vritikaparekh_ #indian #gujju #punjabi #trending ? original sound – OfficialGunni
Creators lean into brown girl beauty aesthetics, starting with winged eyeliner and blow-dried hair, before switching to lehengas, suits, jhumkas and bangles.
The trend resonates strongly with South Asian creators because it reflects the fantasy of being both an international pop girl and a Desi patola without choosing between cultures.
Its simplicity has helped it spread quickly, as the format only needs an outfit change and beat drop, making it easy to recreate and personalise.
Hashtags such as #ShakiraVsPatola, #DesiPatola and #BrownGirl have fuelled its rapid circulation across TikTok and Instagram Reels.
The trend appears to have emerged in mid-December 2025, with early uses of the format appearing around December 13.
One of the earliest clearly labelled videos came from TikTok creator @prxyx.v on 13 December 2025, using Shakira vs Patola in the caption.
@kimmmann_ ? #fyp #trending #punjabi #indian ? original sound – OfficialGunni
By December 14, multiple creators were using the same phrasing and challenge framing, showing the trend was beginning to cohere as a named format.
By December 15 and 16, the hashtag was everywhere, with creators posting captions like “Shakira to Patola real quick” alongside Punjabi and Desi tags.
While the exact first post cannot be confirmed, the trend clearly went viral within days, spreading at remarkable speed.
There is no single mastermind influencer behind Shakira vs Patola, as it grew organically through a cluster of mid-sized creators.
Early TikTok videos from creators like @pamila.kaur helped seed the format within Desi TikTok communities.
Other TikTokers such as @manpreetkaur16 and @helia.heli joined shortly after, with the latter adding a Persian twist that widened its cultural appeal.
Instagram Reels played a major role in amplification, with posts declaring “finally a trend I love”, encouraging followers to try it themselves.
@simran_167 A bit late to this trend but wow I love seeing everyone’s transitions ? #punjabi #indian #indianbaddies #transformation ? original sound – OfficialGunni
Fashion-focused accounts posting Shakira vs Patola reels helped establish it as both a dance and style transition trend.
Explainer videos now describe it as the latest social media sensation, rarely crediting a single creator, which points to its collective, community-driven rise.
The influencers driving it remain this first wave of Punjabi, brown girl, wedding and fashion creators whose videos are being saved, stitched and recreated.
Several UK-based influencers have joined the trend, including Atifa (@atifaaarshad), Kim (@kimmmann_) and Eleisha (@eleisha.r), reflecting its strong British Asian appeal.
Model Neelam Gill has also taken part, further boosting the trend’s visibility beyond TikTok creators and into mainstream fashion conversations.
The track powering the trend is ‘Jatti’s Hips Don’t Lie’, mixed by GUNNI, which samples Shakira’s ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ featuring Wyclef Jean.
Together, the sound, visuals and cultural confidence have turned Shakira vs Patola into a joyful celebration of modern South Asian identity online.
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