Vogue Values: Women of Excellence, presented by Tira, debuted on February 17th at the Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai, bringing together visionaries across the arts, sports, entrepreneurship, social impact and beyond. Hosted by comedian Rohan Joshi, the event moved between an afternoon of insightful panel discussions and a night of honouring women whose work defined 2025.
Held in partnership with Mercedes-Benz and Roku Gin, and floral partners FNP luxe, the afternoon unfolded across three panels. The first centred on sport, spotlighting record-breaking athletes like Sheetal Devi and Jyothi Yarraji, and forces like Jinisha Sharma of Capri Sports. The second panel brought entrepreneurship and leadership into focus, with founders and industry leaders like Chetna Gala Sinha, Mira Kapoor and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The final conversation turned to craft and culture, with conversations with Monica Shah, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Banu Mushtaq and Radhikaraje Gaekwad.
As the evening ceremony commenced, the honourees spanned sport, film and entertainment, arts and culture, STEM, entrepreneurship, design and journalism—each acknowledged for not only shaping their respective fields, but expanding what leadership looks like in India today.
Below, a closer look at the awardees of Vogue Values: Women of Excellence.
Kalyani Priyadarshan
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Powerful stories come from every corner of the country, and Kalyani Priyadarshan is a reminder of that. A leading face in Malayalam cinema with work across Tamil and Telugu industries, she recently portrayed a demigoddess taking on the corrupt underworld in Lokah, which went on to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film to date.
Aneet Padda
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Her journey has only just begun, but Aneet Padda has already been widely recognised as Bollywood’s most promising breakout star. Her performance in Saiyaara captured hearts all over the country, earning industry-wide attention for her hypnotising screen presence.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
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With a career spanning acclaimed performances in Telugu and Tamil films, Samantha Ruth Prabhu has consistently balanced commercial success with layered roles. Beyond acting, she has expanded into entrepreneurship and recently founded her own production house to tell stories led by women for the big screen.
Anita Dongre
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For the past two decades, Anita Dongre has built one of India’s most recognisable fashion houses, rooted in craft revival and responsible production. She began her journey with just two sewing machines and last year, opened her second international store in Beverly Hills. Her sustained partnerships with rural artisans and her advocacy for animal rights have positioned her as a designer whose impact extends beyond the runway.
Twinkle Khanna
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From her early years in film to her evolution as an author and columnist, Twinkle Khanna has continuously reinvented herself. Her ability to pivot across industries—interior designer, media and entertainment, publishing—speaks of her individuality and creativity, which has garnered a loyal following who stay hooked to her sharp wit and humour.
Radhikaraje Gaekwad
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Heritage is usually something that feels closed off and out of reach, but Radhikaraje Gaekwad has been on a mission to change that. Through initiatives like Gazra Cafe, the first LGBTQIA-inclusive space in Gujarat and the Lukshmi Vilas Palace Heritage Garba, which is open to all religions and genders, she has created spaces where everybody is celebrated. Her work has demonstrated how tradition can evolve while still retaining its essence.
Gabriella D’Cruz
A marine biologist and conservationist focused on India’s rapidly changing coastlines, Gabriella D’Cruz works to make ocean science accessible beyond academic circles. Her initiatives emphasise restoring fragile marine ecosystems while creating viable income streams for coastal communities, particularly women. By advocating for greater awareness of India's marine biodiversity, she reframes the oceans as an immediate, shared responsibility.
Isha Mukesh Ambani
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Born into one of India’s biggest business families, Isha Mukesh Ambani has changed the game with her leadership style and vision for India as a global fashion and cultural capital. She has launched major e-commerce platforms, invested in education, arts and design initiatives, and championed Indian designers on the global stage.
Faye D'Souza
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Faye D'Souza has reimagined journalism for the modern digital audience. After years in broadcast journalism, she founded an independent platform prioritising public accountability and direct audience engagement. In the age of increasingly polarising media, this woman of excellence has foregrounded fact-based reporting, remaining an inspiration for the younger generations.
Dr Purnima Devi
Wildlife biologist Dr Purnima Devi turned grassroots mobilisation into a great success story. By forming the all-women Hargila Army, she brought together local communities in Assam to protect the endangered greater adjutant stork. Once seen as bad omens, the nesting numbers have increased significantly because of the Army's work.
Sheetal Devi
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Competing at the highest level of para-archery, Sheetal Devi made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics as India’s youngest Paralympic medallist. Her achievements have expanded conversations around accessibility and representation in Indian sport.
Gauri Khan
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Interior designer and producer Gauri Khan has built a design studio known for luxury residential and hospitality projects in India and internationally. Her portfolio spans private homes, commercial spaces and curated retail ventures, with influence stretching beyond design and entertainment, as she continues to shape visual culture.
Anaita Shroff Adajania
For over two decades, Anaita Shroff Adajania has helped define Indian fashion. As a stylist working across film, advertising and bridal couture, she has shaped red carpets and cinematic wardrobes alike, with her work often setting trends that later ripple outward into mainstream style.
Jyothi Yarraji
A gold medal–winning Indian track and field athlete, Jyothi Yarraji, is pure discipline and determination. She holds the national record in the 100m hurdles and has secured multiple Asian titles. Her consistent performances have placed India as a growing competitor in track events across the globe.
Shilpa Rao
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Since her breakout with the song Tose Naina Lage, Shilpa Rao has mesmerised generations with her talent. She won her first National Film Award for the song Chaleya from the movie Jawan, and went on to release music for films like Saiyaara and Metro… In Dino. Her versatility across genres—from romantic ballads to experimental collaborations—has long defined her artistic evolution.
Banu Mushtaq
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Writer, lawyer and activist Banu Mushtaq has brought regional narratives from Karnataka into global literary conversation. Her work centres on women and marginalised communities, foregrounding lived realities often absent from mainstream discourse. She won the International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp, representing a significant moment for Indian regional-language literature.
Mira Kapoor
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In a city that never really stops, Mira Kapoor is building a movement that invites people to pause. Through Dhun Wellness Club, she encourages us to prioritise our mental and emotional well-being. Alongside this, her entrepreneurial work in barrier-protecting skincare extends her larger message on practising wellness in every sphere.
Kiara Advani
Over the past years, Kiara Advani has consolidated her spot as a leading force in Hindi cinema, consistently featuring in projects that became mainstream blockbusters. Her screen presence blends glamour with relatability, while her off-screen presence tells the story of a globally visible, fashion-forward and digitally strategic woman of excellence.
Also read:
EXCLUSIVE: Aneet Padda wants you to live, love, laugh (for real this time)
Twinkle Khanna is “intensely curious and extremely bored at the same time”
Weaving a better future: Anita Dongre is crafting a conscious couture legacy
