THE GQ35 MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG INDIANS

It's been 10 heady years since this list was first launched. And this year's edition celebrates India's youth power like never before. These individuals are leaders of powerful tribes, and personalities bearing influence over millions across the globe. They are pioneering business models, defining culture, and disrupting the status quo. They are driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and effecting change. Welcome to the future, today.

- SANJANA RAY, PRIYADARSHINI PATWA, SALONI DHRUV, SHABDITA PAREEK, OJAS KOLVANKAR, PARTH CHARAN

SIDDHANT SHARMA AND ABHIJAY NEGI

Seedhe Maut, Musicians 

The rabble-rousers of Seedhe Maut—Encore ABJ (Abhijay Negi) and Calm (Siddhant Sharma)— have been shaking up the desi hip-hop scene since 2017, and seven years on are only getting bigger and better. In an age of reels and hype, Seedhe Maut grew their 1.7 million monthly Spotify listeners organically, and their 12-city India tour for their new album Lunch Break has almost sold out. The product of a carefree three-month stay in Goa, the album features exciting collaborations with Badshah, KR$NA and Yungsta. However, the Delhi-based duo now plan to expand their label beyond music. Their latest project, currently in the works, is “DL91”, a platform to promote undiscovered artists as well as to venture into anime and production. “DL91 is an initiative by Seedhe Maut for Seedhe Maut and people that Seedhe Maut fucks with.” Their next mix tape Kavi Kehna Chahte Hai is also in the pipeline, and as for potential collabs, they’re calling out West Atlanta rapper Kenny Mason.—SR

AKSHAT BANSAL 

Fashion Designer, Founder of Bloni

Akshat Bansal reads a lot about the future and envisions a world where humanity exists in its purest physical form. “That’s why I design collections that are future-forward and have no gender,” he explains. His metallic teardrop sculptural couture piece, as worn by Natasha Poonawalla, epitomizes Bansal’s boundary-defying approach. “I can’t assign a gender to this piece, and I hesitate to even call it a ‘garment’, ” says the Delhi-based designer.