New Delhi: Gaurav Taneja, also known as Flying Beast, is an Indian pilot, bodybuilder, and one of the country’s top YouTuber and Influencer. His journey from growing up in Kanpur to becoming a popular influencer shows how passion and hard work can change your life. Gaurav was born to Yogendra Kumar Taneja, a retired bank officer, and Bharti Taneja, a teacher. He grew up in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and attended school at Dr. Virendra Swarup Education Centre. He always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but due to financial challenges, he first studied civil engineering at IIT Kharagpur, one of India’s top colleges.
Even after becoming an engineer, Gaurav never gave up on his dream of flying. He went to the United States for pilot training and returned to India in 2009 as a licensed pilot. After initially struggling to find a job, he worked as a flight instructor before finally getting hired as a pilot in 2011. Over the years, he flew with airlines like IndiGo and AirAsia. Gaurav’s social media journey began when a friend streamed his workout on Facebook, and it received a great response.
Encouraged by this, he started his first YouTube channel, FitMuscle TV, in 2016, where he shared fitness tips and routines. In 2017, he launched his second channel, Flying Beast, where he began vlogging about his life, travels, and family moments. His relatable and fun videos quickly made him popular. In 2020, he expanded his presence with another channel, Rasbhari Ke Papa, dedicated to live streams. Gaurav met his wife, Ritu Rathee, a fellow pilot, during a training session. They married in 2016 and have a daughter, Kaira.
The couple made their TV debut in 2022 on StarPlus’s show “Smart Jodi,” where they won over viewers with their real and charming personalities. In 2020, Gaurav raised safety concerns against AirAsia India, leading to his suspension. He stood by his claims, highlighting important aviation safety issues. This move earned him a lot of public support.
