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Here, HELLO! Indo-Arabia shares a deep dive in to the South Asians who are part of the first category.
Updated 1 month Ago
22 May 2024, 05:54 GMT
As we unveil our debut issue of HELLO! INDO-ARABIA and HELLO! ARABIA, we proudly honour the HELLO! 100, distinguished figures from South Asia and the Middle East. Across seven categories, we pay tribute to these icons: Power Collectives, Cinema & Film Firebrands, Legacy Luminaries & Business Barons, Music Maestros, Style Savants, Sports Stalwarts, and Digital Doyens.
These titans defy norms, break barriers and shape the region’s trajectory, inspiring future generations with their tales of triumph and tribulation.
Within the pages of the HELLO! 100, we illuminate their extraordinary journeys, igniting a beacon of inspiration for all. Let’s celebrate their enduring impact and forge ahead into a future fueled by their indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve.
Here, HELLO! Indo-Arabia shares a deep dive in to the South Asians who are part of the first category.
M.A Yusuff Ali
WHO Entrepreneur and businessman
THE H! FACTOR Retail tycoon M.A. Yusuff Ali is the chairman and managing director of LuLu International Group. Having built a legacy in the Arab world based on his strategic vision, and due to his compassion for people, in 2017 he was honoured with the prestigious Queen’s Award for his exceptional contribution to the UK’s trade, industry and economy. Thanks to his unprecedented successes, Yusuff was also named the Most Influential Asian Business Leader in the MENA Region in Forbes ME magazine. Establishing the first LuLu Hypermarket in the 1990s and contributing to the retail landscape of the UAE and the Middle East region, Yusuff ’s determination was recognised by the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2005, the highest Indian government award given to non-resident Indians, as well as the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2008. In 2021, he was also decorated with the Abu Dhabi Award (Abu Dhabi’s highest civilian award) by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, cementing his stature as one of the leading figures in the Middle East, and a non-resident Indian who is bridging countries and promoting business cooperation and development. The growth of the LuLu brand is nothing short of impressive, as it today boasts over 250 hypermarkets and shopping malls across the MENA region and Asia. The group employs 75,000 people, making it the largest employer of Indian expatriates globally with an annual turnover of almost AED30 billion. Yusuff’s commitment to social responsibility has earned him widespread recognition as a humanitarian and a leader who understands the importance of giving back, respecting cultures and creating opportunities for growth.
Shafeena Yusuff Ali
WHO Businesswoman , philanthropist and entrepreneur
THE H! FACTOR An art historian, cultural practitioner and serial entrepreneur, Shafeena Yusuff Ali is a woman who has gone above and beyond her calling, establishing initiatives and promoting the spirit of social entrepreneurship among the younger generation. Her global vision has touched the lives of people across UAE and India, especially as she takes on the role of an art patron giving emerging artists a chance to shine on an international level. Daughter of M. A. Yusuff Ali and a successful entrepreneur in her own right, Shafeena is the CEO of Abu Dhabi-based Tablez Food Company. She is also serving as the director of Twenty14 Holdings. Her passion for the arts saw her establish the Rizq Art Initiative to connect the Middle East to the Global South, encompassing Asia, Africa and Latin America. A postgraduate of the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Shafeena is a dedicated visionary eager to bridge the gap between the East and West through art. She seeks to blend cultures and nurture artistic talent with a commitment to social awareness. In addition to her interest in the arts, Shafeena has established the food and beverages arm of the LuLu International Group, Tablez, which specialises in homegrown, international and local cuisines. Together with her husband, she’s established the Adeeb and Shafeena Action & Research Foundation, focusing on education and childcare, health and wellbeing, and overall community development
Neeta Ambani
WHO Culture doyenne and philanthropist
THE H! FACTOR It’s hardly an exaggeration to say Nita Ambani is a household name in India. Having graced the covers of top magazines, not only is she an icon for Indian women but also someone who contributes to the vast wealth of her native home’s art and cultural heritage with her various initiatives. When she launched the NMACC (Nita & Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre) in Mumbai last year, she changed the cultural landscape of the city by making it the most exciting destination for art, music, dance, theatre and literature − fostering significant collaborations and bringing international productions to the city. Wife of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and head of Reliance Industries, Nita started her career as a dancer and has come a long way since. Today, she helms top responsibilities at Reliance and serves as the chairperson of the Reliance Foundation and Dhirubhai Ambani International School. A philanthropist, avid art collector and patron of the Mumbai Indians IPL cricket team, Nita also made sporting history as the first Indian woman to become a member of the International Olympic Committee
Isha Ambani
WHO Businesswoman and arts and culture patron
THE H! FACTOR In India’s storied business dynasties, where men have traditionally led as heads of the family for generations, Isha Ambani is establishing fresh benchmarks for her female counterparts. Daughter of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani, Isha has a crucial role in the core Reliance leadership team. As a Board Member of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, Jio Financial Services Limited, and Reliance Foundation (RF), including Reliance Foundation Institution of Education and Research and Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Isha is part of the executive leadership team steering all-round growth. She oversees diverse sectors including food, consumer electronics, and fashion retail as well. Like her mother, Isha is an art enthusiast and leads all the art and culture initiatives undertaken by Reliance Foundation in India and internationally. She was at the forefront of the launch of NMACC, spearheading its various activities during the lavish event that had celebrities from India and overseas attend in huge numbers. She’s been featured in TIME magazine’s TIME100 Next list of rising stars from across global industries and was recognised with the GenNext Entrepreneur Award at the Forbes India Leadership Awards 2023. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Yale Schwarzman Center, and on the Board of Trustees of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, Jio MAMI and also the Dia Art Foundation.
Alia Bhatt
WHO Actor and singer
THE H! FACTOR Winner of last year’s National Award for Gangubai Kathiawadi, this mother, wife, daughter, sister and megastar is on a constant mission to push the very boundaries she has set for herself. Within a decade of her debut in 2012 with Student of the Year, she’d made it to the top with a series of versatile roles delivered with poise, precision and prowess. This Bollywood powerhouse silenced her critics with the most gripping big-screen roles and has made focus, hard work and reliability the hallmarks of her career. Gifted with a beautiful voice, she’s sung popular numbers like Sooha Saaha and Main Tenu Samjhawan, and was also invited by globally renowned composer A.R. Rahman to train at his music school. While pregnant with her daughter Raha (now one year old), Alia made headlines with her action performance in her Hollywood debut, Heart of Stone, with Gal Gadot. Despite being a legacy holder in Bollywood (she’s famous director Mahesh Bhatt and actor Sony Razdan’s daughter), Alia has carved her own space in the industry with unparalleled performances in films like Two States, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Darlings, which won her great critical acclaim. In an industry where men dominate the pay cheques, she’s set new standards as one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. Moreover, Alia’s creating ripples in the international circuit with her appearances at prestigious platforms, such as the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She was also named the first Indian global ambassador for Gucci in April this year, shortly after her debut at the Met Gala. With a net worth of over AED242 million, she’s one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars.
Ranbir Kapoor
WHO Actor
THE H! FACTOR Ranbir Kapoor famously once said: “I want to reach the heights of stardom beyond my imagination.” Whether he was prophesising or asserting his conviction, one way or another, this Bollywood star has been wowing his audiences and his staunchest critics with stellar performances, putting any suggestions of privilege or nepotism to rest. Right from his debut in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Saawariya, Ranbir has shown his audiences what it takes to be an actor who stands out. Born to actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, Ranbir is the grandson of Raj Kapoor, the greatest cinematic actor-director that the Indian film industry has ever seen. Ranbir went on to leave an impact at the box office with Ayan Mukherjee’s Brahmastra, grossing upwards of AED165 million within 10 days of its release, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, which was the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 and the highest-grossing film of Ranbir’s career. The recipient of multiple Filmfare awards, a prestigious film magazine award in India, and an award for Best Debut Actor, Ranbir’s been on a winning streak as Best Actor for his films Sanju, Wake-Up Sid, Rockstar, Barfi and, more recently, Animal. He also received the Best Actor award for Brahmastra at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards in 2023. Ranbir also received the Variety International Vanguard Actor Award at the Red Sea Film Festival. He will next be seen on the big screen as Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.
Ananya Birla
WHO Singer and entrepreneur
THE H! FACTOR She belongs to a new generation of feisty legacy bearers who are charting their own course, and not relying on the merits of their famous last names. The daughter of Kumar Mangalam Birla (head of the Aditya Birla Group, a leading business conglomerate in India), Ananya Birla is among a crop of young business leaders who are ready to take the road less travelled. She launched herself as a singer, taking the business world by surprise with hit numbers such as Hold On and Livin’, and collaborating with artists like Sean Kingston, Afrojack and American rapper Offset. Now pitched as the ninth richest person in India by Forbes, Ananya works as the founder and CEO of Svatantra Microfinance, a company that provides financial services to low income households and female entrepreneurs in rural India. She is also the founder of Ikai Asai, MPower and CuroCarte, a luxury e-commerce platform that sells handmade and artisanal products from around the world. The recipient of an Economic Times Panache Trendsetters award, the multi-faceted business scion will next be seen acting in Kunal Kohli’s thriller Shlok: The Desi Sherlock, expected to be released in 2024 − we’re excited to watch where this role will take her!
Aryaman Birla
WHO Cricketer and entrepreneur
THE H! FACTOR He’s a fifth generation business scion and a first-generation cricketer. An heir to the multi-billion-dollar Aditya Birla Group empire and son of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and philanthropist Neerja Birla, this young Indian business leader has a diverse area of expertise − from number crunching in the boardroom to hitting sixes on the cricket pitch. As a venture capitalist, Aryaman invested in five profitable startup firms. He serves as a director on the board of Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Ltd and the umbrella organization of the Aditya Birla Group. Aryaman’s fresh approach has enabled the group to explore new business opportunities. He helped incubate the Group’s D2C platform, TMRW, and is actively involved with the Group’s new B2B e-commerce business too. The Aditya Birla Ventures won the New Fund − Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award at the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. He has shown adaptability and resilience as a cricketer and businessman. In cricket, he represented the Madhya Pradesh Ranji squad and played for the Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premier League.
Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur
WHO Princess of Jaipur, entrepreneur
THE H! FACTOR The beautiful princess of Jaipur, Gauravi Kumari’s striking looks and royal bearing are being celebrated on various international circuits. From attending Le Bal (the globally renowned Debutante’s Bal, an annual fashion event in Paris) in 2017 where she made a demure but striking appearance with her brother Padmanabh Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur, to hosting an electric evening and gala dinner for Ralph Lauren in support of PDKF (Princess Diya Kumari Foundation) in her lavish palace recently, Gauravi is being noticed for carrying her illustrious regal legacy forward with a punch of style and panache. Like her mother Diya, currently the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan and inheritor of Jaipur’s royal legacy, Gauravi is now actively involved in taking Rajasthan’s local art and craft to a bigger, wider audience across India and beyond. Through the foundation, she works closely with rural women offering them opportunities for financial independence. The princess, who went to Mayo College Girls’ School in Ajmer, India studied at New York University (NYU), where she majored in Media and Communication. She was the recipient of the World Economic Forum’s Women of The Decade in Social Entrepreneurship award in 2022, she received the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India Award 2021-22 as a Promising Youth Icon, and was recognised with a Travel + Leisure Champion for Women Empowerment Award. Her biggest trump card is currently the newly reimagined Palace Atelier store, a museum and concept store launched in Jaipur’s picturesque City Palace in March 2024, that showcases the timeless heritage of Jaipur alongside the contemporary design ethos of modern India.
Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur
WHO Maharaja of Jaipur and polo player
THE H! FACTOR If anyone in the Jaipur royal family matches the frequency of being photographed as much as the late legendary beauty Maharani Gayatri Devi, it’s undoubtedly her great-grandson, Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh. Godson to King Charles III of the United Kingdom and son of Princess Diya Kumari and Maharaj Narendra Singh, this Jaipur royal was educated in England, going on to study Cultural Heritage Management, Art History, and Italian Language at the Università e Nobil Collegio degli Orefici: Sant’Eligio in Rome. A prolific four-goal polo player and a member of Guards Polo Club, he has led the Indian team as the youngest World Cup captain ever and is an avid patron of the game in the country. He also serves as a global ambassador for the US Polo Association. In his role as the Chairman of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, he has initiated an extensive conservation project across various parts of the City Palace, Jaipur.
Salman Khan
WHO Actor, presenter and philanthropist
THE H! FACTOR Most Hindi film buffs who watched Salman Khan take centre stage in his cult classic movie Maine Pyaar Kiya haven’t forgotten the sensation he created back in the 1980s. 36 years later, the entertainer and philanthropist is still enthralling Indian audiences, alongside his worldwide fanbase. He captivated the hearts of an entire nation as a romantic hero. Maine Pyaar Kiya was the highest-grossing movie of the decade at the box office − the start of a streak of similar records that followed in the years to come. A game-changer, Bollywood’s favourite romantic hero has been equally successful at comedy and other genres. The recipient of several awards, including the Filmfare Awards’ National Film Award and Zee Cine Awards, Salman is a true star performer. As the host of the popular television show Bigg Boss for over a decade, Salman’s television career has been as prolific and popular as his big screen presence. From being celebrated on his home turf to being hailed at a global level for his acting skills and philanthropy. Salman’s vast reach covers a gargantuan macrocosm of admirers; from being celebrated on his home turf to being hailed at a global level for his acting skills and philanthropy. A popular cinematic icon in the Middle East, Salman was gifted the Personality of the Year in 2022 at the Joy Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Salman received the Global Diversity Award in London at the British Parliament in 2017, recognising his contributions as an actor, producer, television personality, and philanthropist. His NGO, Being Human , provides support to the underprivileged in India, focusing on education and healthcare.
Alizeh Khan
WHO Actor
THE H! FACTOR When Bollywood’s top director-producer Karan Johar took to his Instagram to rave about Alizeh’s debut, it was no small thing: “An artist in the true sense of the word! Welcome to the movies Alizeh! You will shine in the galaxy of stars, but as an actor.” And it wasn’t long ago that veteran actress Shabana Azmi, totally wonderstruck by Alizeh’s high voltage performance, said: “Alizeh is to the manor born with not a single false note.” Such high praise from the most experienced voices in the industry are bigger trophies than a newcomer in films usually receives. Alizeh is now busy cashing in on the glory of Farrey, her recently released debut. Directed by Soumendra Padhi and released in 2023, the award-winning Farrey has catapulted Alizeh into a league of rising stars. Being talked about as the ‘best find of 2023’, Alizeh, daughter of actor Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Khan, and niece to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, may have used her legacy to make her entry into the world of films, but she has surely found a lasting place there, which so far has only been accorded to the superbly well-deserved.
Virat Kohli
WHO Cricketer and sports legend
THE H! FACTOR Virat Kohli is cricket’s poster boy and India’s most celebrated batsman, second only to his idol Sachin Tendulkar. But Virat, a former captain of the Indian national team, is mostly unfazed by all this adulation and often likes to run away from the limelight. In India and in international cricket, Virat created history as the most awarded player, clinching 10 International Cricket Council (ICC) awards, five Board of Cricket Control in India Awards, three ICC Player of the Tournament Awards, and 12 ICC Player of the Match Awards. For his consistently strong One Day International (ODI) performances he was named ICC ODI Player of the Year four times between 2023. Virat, who has an Instagram following of 267 million, also holds the record for the most runs in a single World Cup. With 50 centuries to his name, he is arguably the most important player of this decade. Virat is also the IPL’s highest run-scorer with 7,263 runs before the start of the 2024 season. He holds the record for most IPL centuries, at an unbelievable seven, as well as most runs in a season: 973 runs in 2016. At the national level, Virat has been honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2013, the Padma Shri (India’s fourth highest civilian honour) in 2017, and India’s highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna award. He launched the Virat Kohli Foundation in 2013 to support sporting talent in India. Together with his wife and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, he started the Sevva Foundation for “social good,” as announced by the couple in a joint statement. While he maintains his high-ranking cricketing record, off the field Virat is a sought-after name by top brands, including HSBC, Asian Paints and Amaze.
Anushka Sharma
WHO Actor and producer
THE H! FACTOR This daughter of an army officer is undaunted by new territories and challenges. Anushka Sharma embarked on a Bollywood career as an ‘outsider’ in a sea full of legacy holders and inheritors. Starting her showbiz life as a model in 2007 for designer Wendell Rodricks, she clinched her first Bollywood movie in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi alongside Shah Rukh Khan in 2008. Once an actor, Anushka started Clean Slate Filmz in 2013 producing movies like NH10 and Phillauri, and further proved her versatility when she turned designer, launching her fashion brand Nush, in 2017. Recipient of several awards and honours, Anushka won the Filmfare award for her role in the film Jab Tak Hai Jaan and has appeared in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 since 2013, making it onto Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 list of 2018. She was named Person of the Year by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on several occasions. Internationally, Anushka made a splash with her appearance on the Cannes red carpet in 2023 where she flaunted a Richard Quinn gown from the designer’s Fall 2023 ready-to-wear collection. Anushka will next be seen in Chakda ’Xpress, a biographical Netflix film based on the life of famed former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami. She’s highly admired and celebrated as a feminine icon in India for carving out a successful career in acting whilst balancing the domestic front as a mother of two with equal elan. Together with her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli, Anushka runs the Sevva Foundation to extend her service to the world − to both humans and animals
Kabir Mulchandani
WHO Entrepreneur
THE H! FACTOR Kabir Mulchandani is a visionary hospitality, real estate and philanthropy titan who has created a ‘Global Entertainment Ecosystem,’ FIVE Holdings, which includes the famed FIVE Hotels and Resorts, as well as FIVE Music in a joint venture with the Warner Music Group; and notably acquired the Pacha Group in 2023. He is recognised by Forbes as a Top Travel and Tourism Leader, one of the Middle East’s Richest Billionaires and one of the Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders in the region. A proponent of ‘Sustainable Indulgence,’ he has led FIVE to emerge with the highest ESG rating in the world to date, as the only company to receive an ‘A’ grade across all sectors from the global rating agency, ISS. In 2024, FIVE unlocked wealth equitably with an inclusive approach under the tutelage of Kabir with its Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) for employees from various tiers within the organization, ranging from juniors to top leaders all based on merit and not rank. In Dubai alone, the plan covers approximately 270 employees and the share value stands at USD 200 million (AED 730 million). A true and honest believer in effective altruism, Kabir Mulchandani has pledged millions till date across FIVE’s diverse portfolio of local and global charities, including New Face Medical Trust, Room to Read and the Pacha Foundation. Demonstrating his commitment to the island of Ibiza, that has provided a platform for Pacha’s over 50-year success, he has pledged vast funds to ensure it remains a universal hotspot. With a networth of USD 2 billion (AED 7.3 billion) as earmarked by Forbes, Kabir is married to Nadia Zaal, one of the most influential Emirati entrepreneurs in the GCC. The couple have three sons and one daughter and live in Dubai, the UAE.
Anchit Nayar
WHO CEO of Nykaa Beauty
THE H! FACTOR Son of Nykaa’s founder Falguni Nayar, who is known as India’s richest self-made entrepreneur and Adwaita Nayar’s twin, Anchit Nayar is doing his mother proud. His meteoric rise in the company has been the result of his confidence and conviction towards his work. No stranger to the business of beauty, Anchit, a Columbia University graduate, took the plunge into the family business after working at Morgan Stanley New York for almost seven years, where he served as vice president of investment banking. Joining the retail division of the family business, worth AED22 billion and now a globally known beauty brand, Anchit’s leadership has made the company an even stronger force to be reckoned with. The company’s retail footprint currently spans 145 stores in 60 cities, offering an extensive array of over 3,400 Indian and international brands. Anchit, whose estimated net worth is AED9.92 billion, brings renewed energy, foresight and vision to the industry, focusing on the latest trends, innovation and unique omni-channel experiences for Nykaa’s consumers. Celebrated for carrying on the fortunes of a family-run business, he was included in Fortune’s 40 under 40 list in 2022, and named Tycoon of Tomorrow by Forbes India. It was three years ago that Anchit took charge as CEO at Nykaa, leading the company’s expansion plans and playing an important role as a core member of the investor relations team. He also helps create strategies for seamless customer experiences, as well as setting new trends in the sector with innovative ideas. His contribution to the business has given the right impetus for growth, recognition and further success.
Adwaita Nayar
WHO CEO of Nykaa Fashion
THE H! FACTOR This second generation business leader has it all − fire in her belly, a zest for creating and executing new ideas and, above all, staying on top of it with great resilience. Daughter of Nykaa founder and CEO Falguni Nayar, Adwaita’s Nykaa story started with her role as COO of the beauty business in 2013. A few years later she took over as CEO of the company’s retail business and founded Nykaa Fashion in 2019, spearheading its multi-brand retail business, as well as the fashion owned brand’s business, including Nykd, Likha, Gajra Gang and Twenty Dresses under its umbrella. A mathematics graduate from Yale, Adwaita was recently inducted in the 2024 Class of World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders. She also holds an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School. She was recognised as the Business Icon of the Year by the Elle List and included in Fortune India’s Tycoons of Tomorrow, India’s leading business newspaper Economic Times’ 40 under 40, Economic Times’ Women Ahead list, as well as being awarded the Fashion & Lifestyle Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Business World, another leading business magazine in India.
Deepika Padukone
WHO Actor and mental health ambassador
THE H! FACTOR A sports legacy holder, she now owns Bollywood like she was born to reign there. From scorching the runways at fashion weeks, Deepika’s ascendance to stardom was predicted by top journalists of the times, who saw the timeless appeal in her radiant beauty. From her debut with Om Shanti Om to films like Padmavat, Deepika is a gold mine of talent, magnetism and courage. A mental health advocate, she was among the first Indian actors to speak openly about battling depression and started the Live, Love, Laugh Foundation to address mental health issues. The actor went the extra mile when she rallied with student protesters at JawaharLal Nehru University in New Delhi, silently taking a fearless stance against her country’s ruling party. What makes Deepika stand apart is also her strong global presence; brand ambassador of L’Oréal Paris, the actor and mum-to-be − who is expecting a baby with husband Ranveer Singh this coming September − made her Hollywood debut with xXx: Return Of Xander Cage in 2017. In 2021, there were reports that Deepika had signed her second Hollywood deal with production company STXFilms and Temple Hill to appear in what was touted as a cross cultural romantic comedy, but until now there have been no further announcements. A regular at Paris Fashion Week and Cannes, Deepika recently wowed audiences with her presence at the 95th Oscars in March 2023 to announce the winners of the popular Naatu Naatu song from the film RRR and was also a presenter at the prestigious BAFTA Awards. The winner of over 57 awards in her home country, including Filmfare awards and NDTV Indian Of The Year award, she also holds the Guinness World Record for being the ‘highest-paid actress’ in 2019 in India.
Ranveer Singh
WHO Actor
THE H! FACTOR When Ranveer Singh won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his first film, no one could have known that they were watching a superstar in the making. A degree holder f r o m Indiana University Bloomington, he has consistently wowed his audiences as one of the most popular entertainers in the country. Winner of several awards and honours, including five Filmfare awards, six Zee Cine Awards and four IIFA Awards, all top honours from the country’s foremost media houses, Ranveer also bagged the Superstar of the Decade accolade at the Filmfare Middle East awards two years ago. When Ranveer was conferred L’étoile d’Or at the Marrakech International Film Festival, he joined fellow alumni Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Ranveer is a Bollywood trendsetter who has refused to be labelled. He signed up with adventure specialist Bear Grylls on Netflix’s Ranveer Vs Wild and his collaboration with the Adidas X Gucci collection put him further in the global fashion spotlight.
Sima Ganwani Ved
WHO Founder and chairwoman of Apparel Group
THE H! FACTOR Sima Ganwani Ved hasn’t just built a hugely successful business empire, she’s also opened new horizons for women in the UAE. She founded the Apparel Group in 1999 and has been unstoppable ever since. With over 85 brands now part of her retail business, Sima’s multi-billion dollar company has created 2,100 stores in 14 countries. Sima introduced high-calibre brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Aldo, and Nine West across the Middle East and conquered the retail market in a way that changed its entire landscape. It came as no surprise when she was named the 12th most powerful businesswoman in the Middle East by Forbes. An active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Chief Executives’ Organization, Sima also had an interesting stint dabbling in television show hosting, with Hi-Tea with Sima Ved on Star Plus. She’s the recipient of many honours and awards including The Philanthropreneur of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Great Place to Work, Great Women’s Award and Emirates Woman of the Year award by distinguished bodies from the Middle East, and a speaker at the World Woman Davos agenda and the RLC MENA Summit 2024.
WHO Businesswomen
THE H! FACTOR Following the footsteps of their parents, sister-duo Selina and Sarisha Ved have etched their own paths. Selina Ved, is the founder of NESSA, and co-founder and director of Nysaa, while Sarisha Ved is the founder and CEO of F5 Global. They’ve scaled their own businesses with powerful strategic direction, and introduced innovative concepts within fashion and beauty offering a conscious approach to consumerism. Starting out with a dream project at 14, Sarisha Ved is the youngest entrepreneur in the family, launching her own fashion brand F5 Global while still at school. Eager to make a difference in the world, she introduced eco-friendly collections that benefited people and the planet. Inspired by the values that her parents raised her with, she ensures that a portion of the proceeds is used to support underprivileged children. Her commitment to making a meaningful impact inspired her social circles, creating a ripple effect that continues to benefit the less fortunate worldwide. Similarly, her sister Selina’s vision and business has revolutionised the beauty industry. Bridging technology, innovation, consumer behaviour and her own passion for make-up and skincare, Selina boldly launched the digital beauty platform nessa. com, and also co-founded Nysaa, a joint venture with the Apparel Group and Nykaa. In the next five years, Selina plans to take her brand forward and open 100 stores across the Gulf region. Along with her many phenomenal achievements, she’s made it to the Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 list for 2022. Both sisters, like their parents, are leading with compassion, dedication and perseverance − an invaluable combination.
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