Anuv Jain, Ridhi Khosla Jalan and Sushant Divgikr are breaking new ground

One is a singer-songwriter and composer; the other, an interior designer and entrepreneur. The third, a model, actor, singer, columnist, activist, motivational speaker and drag queen. Each of these trailblazers have transcended traditional boundaries, blending creativity with purpose to redefine their respective fields. HELLO! speaks to Anuv Jain, Ridhi Khosla Jalan and Sushant Divgikr on breaking new ground in their respective fields.

1. Sushant Divgikr

The model, actor, singer, columnist, activist, motivational speaker and drag queen—aka Rani Kohenur, opens up to HELLO!

BEING ‘GENDER BENDER’ UNIQUE

“Indeed! When I started off, everyone had their inhibitions about me, my artistry and the community… But slowly and steadily, my art broke all those barriers and delusions! And here we are today! Winning everyone’s heart, one song at a time!”

A BOUNDARY-SHATTERING CAREER

“My art as well as my very being is extremely eclectic! If anyone still believes you can be a jack of all trades and the master of none, I’d like to introduce them to me! I’ve worked extremely hard for nearly two decades to provide my audience what they see. If there’s no place at the table, I make sure there’s a new one where I’m seated first. Having broken many boundaries in the mainstream, I’ve created space for future artistes not just of a specific community but for artistes who like to freely express themselves.”

LOOKING FORWARD

“I look forward to being booked as much as possible and exploring new verticals as an artiste and performer this year. All I can say is ‘Bring it on!’

2. Anuv Jain

The singer-songwriter and composer talks about his career path to HELLO!

HELLO!: What do you think is your unique creative signature?

Anuv Jain: My writing probably sets me apart as an artist. That’s my unique creative signature. I’m experimenting with genres as I grow in this industry, but my writing will always have that identity that is mine. Anybody who’s heard my songs can tell this is the kind of stuff Anuv writes; it’s my way of writing.

HELLO!: Is there one aspect of your craft that you feel people don’t fully understand, one that you’d love to share with them?

Anuv Jain: People may not realise that there’s not a huge team behind my music. It’s just me writing, composing and working closely with the producer. Even the music videos and artwork… It’s all part of my creative input. Initially, these were just simple personal projects, but once they were out, millions of people connected with them. I’m proud of how they turned out, and I wish more people acknowledged how much of my vision is behind them.

HELLO!: While you radiate such positivity, your songs tend to carry a melancholic depth. What inspires this intriguing contrast in your music?

Anuv Jain: People may feel my music has a melancholic depth, but I think it’s also positive. Life has its ups and downs, and my music reflects that. Even when something sad happens, I try to stay positive. It’s about going through difficult moments with a more optimistic outlook—it’s a balance between both.

HELLO!: Any new tunes in the works?

Anuv Jain: I’ve been working on new music and building my shows, improving them and making them much more polished.

3. Ridhi Khosla Jalan

The interior designer and entrepreneur talks about her plans to HELLO!

A STANDOUT DESIGN CREATOR

“As an interior design content creator, I teach design in an easy and accessible way. The aim of my content is to break down barriers and show people the latest in design and home décor. But I only recommend products I’d potentially use at my own sites and projects—and that’s my creative voice.”

EXPANDING DESIGN ACCESSIBILITY

“People are taking time to realise that pages like mine are actually creating awareness about the design industry, which only a select few had access to earlier. Now, regardless of where you live or how much work you have, you have a lot more knowledge about the design industry, and I think that’s a very powerful tool.”

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

“I draw my inspiration from two industries: interior design and film. I’ve been at that crossroad since I became an interior designer-turned-design content creator. So, while I keep my eye on the latest design trends, I also try to study cinematography and how storytellers create a narrative through editing and screenwriting.”

INFLUENCE QUOTIENT

A craft educator and TEDx speaker, she’s coming up with two online design courses for her 658K followers on Instagram

THE NEXT BIG FOCUS

“The coming two years are a very exciting time for me because I’m actually launching a series of courses: ‘Interior Design for Beginners,’ ‘How to Become an Interior Stylist,’ and ‘The Business of Interior Design.’ These are courses I wish someone had taught me when I was starting out. I’m now going to teach them to those who wish to thrive in the design industry. I can’t wait to see how this year unfolds for me!”

This piece originally appeared in the April-May’25 print edition of HELLO! India

Interviews by Duhin Ganju, Sangeeta Waddhwani for Sushant Divgikr