THE G35 MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG INDIANS

India is a young country. With over 900 million people under the age of 35, we have by far the largest youth population in the world. The individuals on this list are the vanguards and pioneers of this dynamic demographic: They are leaders of powerful micro-communities or mega-stars bearing influence over millions across the country. They're pioneering business models, defining culture, and disrupting the status quo. They are driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and effecting change. Presenting GQ's 2023 youth power list, featuring a set of incredible individuals who reflect the vitality and drive of the world's fifth-largest economy.

- ARMAN KHAN, ARUN JANARDHAN, SANJANA RAY, SAUMYAA VOHRA, SELMAN FAZIL, PARTH CHARAN, PRIYADARSHINI PATWA

King
Musician

When King was on tour last year, he got a call from Warner Music Group's Jay Mehta. Nick Jonas wanted to make a global version of the Indian rapper's "Maan Meri Jaan", a track that witnessed a meteoric rise up the music charts-the first non-film song to rank number 1 on India's Top 50 charts and number 25 on Spotify's Global Top 50, clocking in over a million daily streams on the service. "I didn't even have to think twice. When I heard the first draft, I knew... Maan Meri Jaan (Afterlife)' was going to fly," says the rapper, whom very few refer to by his real name, Arpan Kumar Chandel. MTV Hustle and Hustle 2.0 may have brought the 24-year-old rapper to the main stage of commercial hip-hop, but the big break came with 2020's "Tu Aake Dekhle", with over 400 million views on YouTube. King's goal for 2023 is amplified on his Instagram highlights: to go global. He's just wrapped up a track with Jason Derulo, has another one on the line with CKay, and is calling out Jack Harlow next. His upcoming New Life is likely to be one of the biggest albums of 2023.

Gunect Monga & Kartiki Gonsalves

Producer

Globally, documentaries thrive on grants, state support, and many layers of funding. In India, most of these pillars are non-existent. So, how does Monga continue putting her might and money behind them? "How can you say no to baby elephants?" she asks, referring to The Elephant Whisperers, which recently won a historic Oscar, the first for an Indian production, in the best documentary short film category. The previous documentary short film that she co-produced-2019's Period. End of Sentence, a US production-also won an Academy Award.