Meet this year's HELLO! Hall of Fame winners: Part 1

ANUPAM KHER: MOST VERSATILE ACTOR OF INDIAN CINEMA

Why: His two National Awards came from playing an alcoholic father and a professor suffering from dementia. Starting as a 28-year-old playing a sexagenarian, his repertoire spans over 550 films, including Hollywood titles like ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ ‘The Big Sick,’ and ‘Bend It Like Beckham,’ showcasing his range as an actor.

A YOUNG CINEASTE AT HEART

“I still feel like a young man raring to do all that there is under the [acting] umbrella. I believe I’m capable of pulling off any genre or role. I can play a superhero, I can fight off villains, and I can even romance on screen. I don’t limit myself to anything, and that’s how I intend to navigate not just the next two decades, but act with all my heart till my last breath.”

A MULTIFACETED LIFE

“I don’t want to be a one-dimensional man. I believe humans have unbelievable capacities and must go beyond boundaries, and that God has made us capable of doing so many things. It’s just our fear of failure that stops us. I don’t live with that fear, as I believe it’s okay for me to fail. A long time ago, my father told me that failure is an event; it doesn’t reflect who you are as a person. So I just explore things and don’t mind if I don’t succeed in everything. If people find it inspiring, I take it with humility and gratitude.”

SENSITIVE STORYTELLING

“The story of Tanvi The Great came from my heart and was inspired by my niece. It felt right to wear the directorial hat. In the movie, my character, as her uncle, refuses to take Tanvi’s dream of joining the army away from her, despite her Down’s Syndrome. In today’s fast-paced world, where everything has become a race, we tend to fail to nurture the dreams and aspirations of young minds. Somewhere, we’ve stopped celebrating individuality. So in this movie, we showed how every child, every dream is special.”

GLOBAL COLLABORATIONS & MORE

“I’ve collaborated with Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen and Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani. I’d say filmmaking is intrinsically a collaborative effort. It’s not just actors but all the technicians who work together to create a spectacle — be it the cinematographer, sound designer, costume department, and so on. I want to work with not just the best but the most honest and dedicated people, as magic happens only when everyone works towards a common goal.”

MAKING IT TO THE HELLO! HALL OF FAME

“With over four decades in the industry and having done over 500 films, it’s been a fruitful journey. Any award comes as a testament of the impact my work has created. I’ve learned a lot through this journey, and I feel even more energised to work today. I’ve been through phases of no work, as well, so I value every project and approach it with utmost sincerity and dedication. It’s been an adventurous ride; I don’t forget to enjoy each and every moment!”

SIDHARTH MALHOTRA: POPULAR CHOICE ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Why: His charm and comic timing in the 2025 movie ‘Param Sundari’ shone, coming a year after his action thriller ‘Yodha.’ Both proved his versatility as a performer and appeal across generations.

THE OUTSIDER’S OUTLOOK

“When you arrive in Mumbai with dreams and aspirations, there’s no safety net. You give auditions with no certainty of the future, so all you really have is hope. I was lucky to get a break early on as an assistant director, and to eventually get launched as an actor with the same production house. That journey taught me patience, honesty, and resilience. For me, it’s really about consistency. And being an outsider makes you less afraid to take chances, which reflects in my choices. Whether it’s a rom-com, action movie, family drama, or thriller, I’ve always tried to do something different.”

SUBSTANCE OVER ENTERTAINMENT

“The best stories are the ones that have scale but still feel deeply human. Some films are designed to be big, immersive experiences, while others are quieter and more introspective. In both cases, what matters most to me is emotional truth. If that doesn’t feel real, nothing else really lands. That’s the part of the craft I enjoy the most — finding that honesty, whether it sits inside something very large, or something very intimate. Audiences always connect with what feels genuine.”

REDEFINING SCALE & SPECTACLE

“The larger-than-life hero will always have a place because cinema, at its best, has the power to make us feel something beyond the ordinary. That sense of drama is part of the experience for which audiences come to the movies. But that scale no longer exists in isolation. It has to be earned through character, writing, and emotional logic. Audiences today are incredibly perceptive; they want spectacle but also sincerity. They want to know what drives a character, what gives those larger moments meaning. So I don’t think we’re moving away from heroism — we’re simply giving it more depth and a stronger emotional core.”

THE EVOLVING HERO

“The ‘Sidharth Malhotra’ hero today is constantly evolving. From Hasee Toh Phasee to Kapoor & Sons, from Shershaah to Mission Majnu, my roles have all been very different from each other. That’s something I want to continue to do, even with upcoming projects like Vvan, which is, again, a new space for me.”

MAKING IT TO THE HELLO! HALL OF FAME

“It is genuinely very special to receive this kind of recognition. A Popular Choice Award carries a unique kind of meaning because it reflects a direct connection with the audience, and for an actor, that is incredibly valuable. It feels personal in the best possible way.”

ARJUN RAMPAL: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Why: For his superlative performance in the ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise as Major Iqbal, a hate-fuelled Pakistani ISI agent orchestrating attacks in India. 

THE 26/11 BACKSTORY

“When Aditya Dhar narrated the part of Major Iqbal to me, I was instantly transported to the November 26 attacks in Mumbai in 2008. 26/11 also happens to be my birthday. I was at Four Seasons picking some friends up. We had planned to go to The Taj Mahal Palace to celebrate my birthday. We were waiting at the bar for one of my friends when it all started. We started getting calls, with people warning us to stay away from Colaba, fearing some gang war in the area. In 20-30 minutes, our hotel was cordoned off. Adarsh Jatia [Managing Director of Provenance Land, the developer that owns Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai] graciously offered me the suite for the night. The horrors of 26/11 played out on my birthday. In the morning, when I drove back home, I had to stop at least three times because I felt like I was going to be sick. When Aditya Dhar narrated the 26/11 sequence [that was in the film] to me, I knew I was going to have my revenge — and that’s what I did with Dhurandhar.”

A TEAM EFFORT

“I’m accepting this award on behalf of the entire Dhurandhar team. Every actor in the movie is phenomenal. The world we created would not have been possible without this star cast, without Aditya Dhar’s direction, or Vikash Nowlakha’s cinematography, or the writers. I can’t take credit for anything alone, and there’s no such thing as one actor outshining another. If I’m brilliant in a movie but it doesn’t work at the box office, nobody will talk about that performance. I’ve gone through that. If a film works, it’s because of the entire team’s efforts.”

MAKING IT TO THE HELLO! HALL OF FAME

“I’m getting an award after a very long time. It feels familiar, and it feels great! Getting it from HELLO! feels extra special because I’ve received an award from the publication before. I’m glad the magazine is back, that too with a strong organisation like the India Today Group. I wish HELLO! a great future ahead.”

SANYA MALHOTRA: CRITICS’ CHOICE ACTOR OF THE YEAR

Why: Her nuanced performance in ‘Mrs’ appealed to audiences across demographics and generations for its levity, warmth, and relatability.

‘MRS’ IN THE MAKING

“For me, building Richa’s character was a very internal process. I spent a lot of time understanding her emotional world — what she wasn’t saying, and where her quiet strength lay. I did watch Nimisha Sajayan’s performance [in The Great Indian Kitchen] but not while prepping because I wanted my character to be my own interpretation. Every actor lends their lived experiences into a role, and I wanted to stay true to mine while still honouring the story.”

FROM CLASSIC TO NEW-AGE BOLLYWOOD

“I enjoy being part of stories where the character has depth. But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the charm of classic Bollywood movies. I grew up watching and loving them. If something like that comes along, I’ll be completely open to it. Right now, I’m quite enjoying exploring roles that challenge me as an actor.”

ON-STAGE COLLABS

“Dancing has always been my first love, and sharing the stage with Sunidhi Chauhan [during her tour] was incredibly special. I performed with her in Delhi, my hometown, and it felt surreal! Live performances are a whole other ball game. You don’t get second takes, and the energy has to be consistent throughout. It’s physically demanding, but exhilarating at the same time! Regarding my collab with Diljit Dosanjh [for his music video for ‘Charmer’]… He’s just incredible. I love his music. He’s so effortless and has such a positive presence. Working with him was a lot of fun, and that joy naturally translated on screen.”

BREAKING STEREOTYPES

“There’s certainly a shift in the way a Bollywood actress is expected to look, and OTT has played a huge role in that. Audiences today are more open to diverse stories, and real, relatable characters. So the idea of the ‘perfect heroine’ is evolving, which is refreshing. Although there’s always room for more inclusivity and representation, I’m excited to see where we go from here.”

MAKING IT TO THE HELLO! HALL OF FAME

“Awards aren’t why we do what we do. They are like validation from the industry and the audience, though they feel more like a warm hug. They give us actors the assurance that we’ve made the right choices, that our work is resonating with people. More than anything, they motivate me to keep pushing myself and telling stories that matter.”

ARYAMAN VIKRAM BIRLA: LUXURY RETAIL VISIONARY OF THE YEAR

Why: As the Non-Executive Director of the Aditya Birla Group, he brought the iconic Parisian department store Galeries Lafayette to Mumbai.

AN INDIVIDUALISTIC IDENTITY

“I’ve always looked at legacy as both a privilege and a responsibility. Strong values passed down generations become your anchor. For me, it has never been about stepping away from the Birla name but evolving it in my own way. I’ve tried to let my work speak louder than my surname. Whether it was pursuing cricket seriously, or later moving into entrepreneurship, and now at the group playing a pivotal role across strategy and key businesses, all these choices came from genuine passion.”

THE IDEA OF GLOBAL LUXURY IN INDIA

“India understands luxury very well. We’ve grown up around craftsmanship, heritage, and a natural appreciation for beautiful things, so that foundation has always existed. What luxury retail needs today is balance. On one hand, it must deliver global standards of quality, innovation, and perspective. On the other, it must feel emotionally relevant to the Indian consumer through great service, personalisation, and storytelling. That’s the approach we’ve taken with Galeries Lafayette in India. When luxury feels like it belongs to your world rather than something you’re stepping into briefly, that’s when it truly feels both global and rooted.”

CURATING EXPERIENCES

“Shopping at Galeries Lafayette is about discovery, comfort, and feeling a sense of belonging. At the end of the day, the goal is to create an experience that feels familiar while still being global in its outlook.”

ON THE CARDS

“We’re focussing on strengthening our portfolio across India’s luxury and bridge-to-luxury space through both Galeries Lafayette and The Collective. With the latter, the focus continues to be on expanding to new state capitals and emerging markets. On the lifestyle side, Joe & The Juice is a major focus. We’re building ideas that go beyond traditional retail and fit naturally into everyday life. At Jolie’s, for instance, we’re increasingly focussing on creating spaces centred around holistic wellness for our members. The recent addition of a gym and juice bar reflects this approach.”

MAKING IT TO THE HELLO! HALL OF FAME

“At this stage, the award really feels like a recognition of what we’ve been building together. I’m deeply grateful to the teams I work with across the business. Every idea, milestone, and success has come from collaboration and trust. This recognition belongs to the people who show up every day and contribute with patience and commitment.”

TARUN TAHILIANI: CONTRIBUTION TO FASHION

Why: He has traced a pioneering path over three decades, reinterpreting Indian drapes, textiles, and craftsmanship for an ‘India Modern’ aesthetic.

REINTERPRETING INDIAN AESTHETICS FOR 30 YEARS

“Today, I live and dress in a way that’s much more appropriate to my environment and our culture. I still feel there’s a strong onslaught of the Western way of life. I only hope that in this era, our processes, crafts, textiles, and aesthetics — things I know work better for us — continue to enrich people’s lives in a way that mere imitation [of global fashion] never could.”

BOLD VISIONS & MILESTONES

“Starting Ensemble was definitely a bold — perhaps even mad — idea for its time and location. Moving to Delhi was personally quite uprooting, but it fostered a deeper sense of Indianness. Midway, I chose to study technique, realising that I could not create the shapes I envisioned depending solely on local masters. Eventually, starting stores for my own label became important to build a distinct brand identity. Finally, working with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail gave me the freedom to focus far more on design, which is what I truly love.”

THE DAWN OF LUXURY PRÊT

“The world is moving towards luxury prêt — separates that can be mixed and matched, made to high standards. That is exactly what [my label] OTT represents. Where fine Indian wear goes, there’s an increasing focus on highly ornate, ceremonial clothing for large Indian events.”

DRESSING CONTEMPORARY INDIA

“Our menswear journey, particularly with Aditya Birla, came from repeatedly hearing that Indian men find traditional clothing uncomfortable. With Tasva, the aim was to create accessible, clean, comfortable, and beautifully crafted garments for Indian men to wear at important occasions. This segment fills a distinct niche and is largely outsourced and produced at scale.”

LED BY INSTINCTS

“My instinct is clearly moving towards super luxury prêt, much like how an Armani defines Italy, or Ralph Lauren defines American sensibilities. In India, we’ve transitioned into an entirely new lifestyle. So, we cannot simply adapt — we must recreate from scratch for an Indian who is global in outlook, yet rooted in identity. For example, a modern Indian woman may not step out in a Nauvari saree, but she could wear a draped dhoti with a tailored jacket, or an achkan. I see a growing global audience that will embrace this sensibility. That’s where my compass is pointing.”

MAKING IT TO THE HELLO! HALL OF FAME

“It is always nice to be acknowledged, but that is not what drives me to work every day. Of course, the recognition was meaningful, but there’s still so much to be done — personally, at a company level, and for Indian fashion as a whole.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: VIKRAM BAWA
INTERVIEWS: SANGEETA WADDHWANI, ANANYA GHOSH, REWATI RAU & SHRADDHA CHOWDHURY