She truly is our captain and our champion. This year, for our annual anniversary issue, we are so honoured to feature none other than the captain of INDIA’S ICC Women’s ODI World Cup squad … Harmanpreet Kaur. The WINNING squad, that is!
She led a team that brought home the cup in a tournament that brought us to our knees, and then on our feet. They were in for the fight of their lives and she held our ground. In a world that’s still learning to celebrate women who lead from the front, Harmanpreet is someone to admire and emulate. And to thank, for busting open doors for girls who dream about sports but don’t quite know how to navigate those precious dreams. They are valid.
This issue also houses The Fab List 2025 that is full of stories of incredible women, from all over the country, who have done remarkable things over the year.
Gotta give props to MY squad for putting together this mammoth issue: Team @feminaindia . To @ashwini.arun.kumar@bendivishan@remachaudhary@surbhishukla@umang.artist@eleni_chatzinikolidou for being so solid.
@imharmanpreet_kaur #harmanpreet #harmanpreetkaur #cricket
I genuinely cannot find the words to describe being in the company of these 10 women. They came from across the country — from Colonels to Lance Naiks — for two days to the capital, to shoot with us. They jump off airplanes, run marathons in their spare time, build highways across sub-zero temperatures, brave deserts … and all with such grace and equanimity. And they do it to serve. You can see it permeating off every pore, every molecule of their being. They believe in us, in protecting us, and living in service of India. It’s just so incredible to be around. And also, just so you know, I have never laughed so hard thanks to the four Colonels, who together had us in splits. Lance Naik Manju also holds the national record for jumping from the height of 10,000 feet off a helicopter. Casual. No, REALLY. She trained for it, and did it … that’s how she’ll tell you the story.
Over the next few days, you’ll see their stories emerge on Femina and they are extraordinary. I count myself as one very lucky human.
A special thank you to the Indian Army (@indianarmy.adgpi ) for all their help. This wouldn’t have been possible without them.
Also, a very special shout out to @ashwini.arun.kumar … this one was a labour of love and determination. It couldn’t have been done without you.
Featured on the cover (from bottom):
First row (L–R): Colonel Anshu Jamwal, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Second row (L–R): Colonel Ponung Doming, SM, Lance Naik Manju, Colonel Meghna Dave
Third row (L–R): Captain Shraddha Shivdavkar, Lieutenant Colonel Krutika Patil, Captain Ojaswita Shree, Lance Naik Aashika
Alone at top: Major Dwipannita Kalita
Photographs: @tenlaghyal
Art direction: @bendivishan
Digital Editor: @shilpadubeyy
Makeup: @pammi_makeupartist for @maccosmeticsindia
Makeup team support: @huesofbarik@chirag_mua@mayankmac_mua for @maccosmeticsindia
Hair: Udit Kumar, Ranjan Kumar Jha, Zafar Mustaqeem Salmani for @lakmesalon
The Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu, who graces the cover of our August issue, is a force to reckon with. There are many “firsts” to her credit (read about them in our in-depth cover story), and she truly leads by example, always encouraging women and the youth of India to pursue their dreams. President Murmu's story is that of courage, determination, overcoming struggles, and breaking barriers. To be in her presence has been one of greatest privileges of my lifetime.
Truly a professional and personal milestone. My sincerest thanks to the press office at Rashtrapati Bhavan and to Navika ji for helping us manifest this.
📷: @reubensingh.in
Art Director: @bendivishan
📍: @visit_rb
Coordination: @shilpadubeyy
#FeminaAugustIssue #InspiringIndia #FeminaXThePresident #ThePresidentMeetsFemina #LeadingByExample #rashtrapatibhavan @feminaindia #droupadimurmu #independenceday #august15
Some moments in this job remind you exactly why you do it. This was one of them. Sara Arjun’s very first magazine cover. Nearly two decades of showing up, and quietly building something real across no less than FIVE industries, and now here she is: radiant in Louis Vuitton, and carrying with her an energy that is entirely, unmistakably her own. Everyone on set felt it.
This is just the beginning, Sara, and what a beginning it is.
Special props to the dream team! So good that we did a crew picture after AGES.
@saraarjunn #saraarjun #saraarjunlove💞 #femina
Art Director: @bendivishan
Fashion Editor: @ashwini.arun.kumar
Digital Editor: @shilpadubeyy
Photography: @aneevrao
Styling: @divyakdsouza
Hair: @mikedesir
Makeup: @sonamdoesmakeup
Styling Assistance: @bhairaviahuja
Cardigan, Skirt, Necklace, and Bracelet: @louisvuitton
Earrings: @zohra_india
Sara’s team: @teamsaraarjun , @carpe_diem_lk27
London (for a heartbeat) earlier this week taught me a few things. Travelling alone teaches you a lot about yourself, and I find that there are a few tweaks that occur every decade. More specifically, every five years or so, of your life. So the 40s edition reveals.:
1. I can really murder a pint of Guinness.
2. There is nothing better than showing up for your friends.
3. Feed me excellent pasta, and I will be your friend for life.
4. A man grating cheese will be the sexiest man in the room. Always.
5. Introvert. Extrovert. In a bad mood. In a great mood. Tired. Jet lagged. Wired. It doesn’t matter … you can always make new friends by just being there.
6. Yes, you CAN make new friends
7. Bookstores make me feel like a wizard.
8. I could make conversation with a tree.
9. You’re never lonely when you’re in a museum.
10. Red lipstick can, and should be worn during the day.
11. Surviving monsoon in Mumbai, makes walking in the rain in a European,country a lovely and non-stressful activity.
12. Why don’t I have baked beans for breakfast all the time?
13. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. And don’t drink on that plane.
14. Buy the expensive retinol.
15. Nice wins. Every time.
#2026isthenew2016 The year @vh1supersonic and I brought this guy down to India for the first time… and @missmuttoo (then a music journalist + music maven) interviewee him and we all hung out together.
Do you know who he is? 😁
This really was a birthday to remember. Number 43 on the stopwatch. What a joy to be a part of Tarun Tahiliani’s epic 30 year celebration in Hyderabad. To be witness to his world feels like a privilege and to share a dancefloor with him later at the after party even more so.
For me, it’s always people who matter. 2025 wasn’t the best year and I didn’t quite know about the extent of the damage it did, but I do know that it really messed with my head. While life (and work … lots of work) carried on, I didn’t feel really good in my skin. I definitely became more of a hermit too. But I don’t think I’m meant to be that person, and it’s not my natural state of being. Finito, move on, get stuff done. Quit smoking, do better, etc etc. It’s fkn HARD but worth it?
Everyone in these pictures is incredible. I’m so grateful for the company. Nandini’s gulab jamun cake and fake candle at midnight is something that I’m going to remember for a LONG time. So here’s a little recap of the day, more for myself to absorb. Group picture supremacy in all our finery, fit check during the day at the glorious Taj Falaknuma (@tajfalaknuma ), FASHUN, goosebumps at the British Residency (@theresidency_hyd ), the after party with Ma Faiza raging it, birthday prezzies, strawberry cream cake (is there anything better) and hipster bars with dearest friends.
Love. Magic. Happiness. Motion. I won’t say more, because it can border on obnoxious, and I really I am bouncing off the walls right now and not only because of all the sugar consumed. Y’all are so fkn NICE … all of you, for real. 🩶
As someone very helpfully reminded me yesterday: the horrors persist, but so do we.
Exactly one whole year of quitting cigarettes cold turkey. Yes, I am a bit smug about it because ONE YEAR … after smoking for 25 years! It has taken a lot to get here. So, if you want some real, mildly tough, but pretty, encouraging love, go ahead and listen.
#smoking #quittingsmoking
Lee Taemin right in front of me, in my city. Mumbai. You know what it’s like to dance wildly and sing LOUD with people who get it? What a joy. What a night. Forever my favourite.
#taemin #taeminnie #kpop #bpmentertainment #kpopindia
I know … this is me in FULL tourist mode. And I wish i could stay in that zone longer because Siem Reap in Cambodia is a dream. A chill, happy, peaceful Buddhist town which in some ways, does centre around Angkor Wat, given this is still very much a working temple. But, this city and its people are so, so much more. Here, you exist side-by-side with monuments that are millenia old. While it will take you, possibly, a lifetime to unfold Angkor Wat’s stories and mysteries, there are scores of other ancient temples dotted all over this district. Through the passage of time, they’ve gone from Hindu to Buddhist, and then changed again, and then arrived back at Buddhist. It just goes to show that spiritual truth is shared. There is the River of a 1000 Lingas, the “Tomb Raider” temple aka Ta Phrom, Bayon (the smiling Buddha’s), Tonle Sap lake ... I could go on. The art scene is thriving, Khmer food is deliciously fresh, and the coffee is incredible … I am going to make ALL of you visit.
Many thanks to the incredible Anantara Angkor Resort for the memories. It’s rare to find a spot that is both luxe and so warm. The people here are beautiful and the quality is outstanding. They arranged all our sightseeing and to see Angkor Wat at sunrise, is something I’m still processing.
#angkorwattemple #angkor_wat #cambodia
A fresh new year and a fresh new start. Who else but the freshest of them all, @rashmika_mandanna for our January cover? A total dream to shoot with, and she also happens to be the sweetest soul. And of course, we all know what a superstar she is.
I had a rough end to 2024 with pneumonia, hospitalisation etc, and I know it’s not right to toot one’s own horn. So, I won’t. Instead … all props to the entire team who put this together. Femina and friends, I’d like to call them. I lm a January baby too and while I’m not superstitious, I do like it when things click when a new year rolls in. Makes me feel like everything will fall into place, subsequently. Here’s hoping that comes true.
Photographer: @taras84
Art Direction: @bendivishan
Styling: @taniafadte
Makeup: @tanvichemburkar
Hair: @souravv_roy_
Fashion Editor: @ashwini.arun.kumar
Words: @parul_karn
Vest, skirt and gloves: @studiomoonray
Styling Assistance: @sabrinawhite98
Makeup Assistance: @shreeyasalvi_
Hospitality Partner: @ochobandra
Artist Reputation Management: @spicesocial
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@rashmika_mandanna #rashmikamandanna #rashmika
