Modi spent years building his strong image - why is he making Gen Z reels now?

Many among India's Gen Z may not see Narendra Modi as a friend. But the Indian prime minister is trying to talk to them like one.The 75-year-old leader - who has long cultivated a strongman image through scripted speeches, formal broadcasts and carefully choreographed appearances - has in recent weeks adopted a more casual style on Instagram, the photo and video platform popular with young people.Modi's timeline, which until a month ago featured carefully curated posts, now also includes more "candid" content, such as a get-ready-with-me reel and several selfie-style addresses to young people, whom he calls "friends".In one video, he even refers to a phrase popular among Gen Z, saying, "first in my bloodline, external to build a rocket, a chip and a drone" while addressing students at a graduation ceremony in Delhi.Modi has more than 106 million followers on Instagram, making him one of the most-followed political leaders on the platform. But the tone of his communication on the platform was never central to his team or the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) social media strategy, despite the party's reputation for acing the digital playbook that helped it win the 2014 elections. Howev...