YouTube has acted as a democratizing force, allowing independent creators and smaller production houses to bypass traditional gatekeepers. This has led to a surge in content that focuses on "hyper-local" aesthetics. The popularity of regional tropes, including the "aunty" archetype, often reflects a specific cultural shorthand that resonates with a vast, often underserved, audience looking for familiar imagery outside of mainstream Bollywood. 2. The Economics of "B-Grade" Digital Media
: Genres like horror often serve as a mirror for societal fears, such as the anxieties surrounding economic liberalization and Western cultural influence. The Shift to YouTube and Digital Platforms YouTube has acted as a democratizing force, allowing