Kerala vlogger turns bald head into billboard, nets Rs50,000

Travel vlogger Shafeek Hashim from Kerala has pulled off a unique branding stunt — turning his bald head into an advertising billboard. The bold move paid off when he secured his first contract worth Rs50,000 for a three-month campaign.

The 36-year-old from Alappuzha district has temporarily tattooed the logo of a Kochi-based hair and skin clinic on his scalp. The ad will feature prominently in his upcoming YouTube videos.

Shafeek told The New Indian Express that the idea came while he was considering a hair transplant. “After deep thought, I realised baldness is natural, and there's no shame in it. I decided to embrace it — and turn it into a creative opportunity.”

His simple plan: invite brands to advertise on his bald head during his video shoots. After posting the offer on social media, it quickly caught media and corporate attention.

“As part of the deal, I’ll release at least three YouTube videos over the next three months with the ad clearly visible,” he said. “My head will be given prominence to attract viewers’ attention.”

The temporary tattoo can be easily removed with chemicals, but Shafeek says the idea is here to stay.

“I believe I’m the first person in India — maybe even the world — to rent out my bald head for brand advertising,” he said. “This isn’t about going viral. It’s about changing how society views body image and showing that confidence can turn perceived flaws into strengths.”

On Instagram, Shafeek shared his journey from being teased in college for baldness to turning it into a branding opportunity.

“Friends used to tease me, but I never took it seriously. Nowadays, the younger generation is more aware of body shaming. While considering a hair transplant, I thought, why not benefit from my baldness instead?”

Unsure how it would work, he posted the idea online. The post went viral, drawing interest from brands. He eventually chose a hair and skin clinic with multiple branches across India.

“I signed a contract with the clinic. I think I’m the first in India to monetise baldness like this,” he said. “I’m not doing this for fame, but to challenge societal views on body image and inspire confidence.”

Shafeek runs the YouTube channel ‘70mm Vlogs,’ with over 28,000 subscribers. A former programme producer and digital content creator in Kerala and Saudi Arabia, he now focuses on turning everyday moments into impactful content.

Looking ahead, Shafeek hopes for bigger and better offers — all while sporting his new advertising billboard.