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In 2025, South Asian diaspora voices didn’t just participate in global entertainment — they shaped it. From Hollywood writers’ rooms and international film festivals to sold-out arenas and viral digital platforms, South Asians across the diaspora pushed culture forward while redefining representation on their own terms.
This year wasn’t about “firsts” alone. It was about presence, power, and permanence.
Here’s a look at the South Asian diaspora entertainers who made the biggest impact in 2025
50. Arooj Aftab
Grammy-winning Pakistani-American singer, composer, and producer Arooj Aftab is known for blending jazz, Sufi, and global influences in her music.In 2025 she continued to tour internationally behind her acclaimed 2024 album Night Reign and earned multiple Grammy nominations for its tracks and overall sound, solidifying her status as a leading boundary-pushing artist in contemporary music.
49. Natania Lalwani
Indian-born Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter and pop artist who is known for blending Indian and Western musical influences in her work. In 2025 Natania was featured on and co-wrote multiple tracks on The Smurfs movie soundtrack, including the cross-genre song “Higher Love” alongside global stars like DJ Khaled and Cardi B, marking a notable milestone in her international career.
48. Subhi
Alongside Natania, Subhi also worked on the ‘Smurfs’ soundtrack in 2025, and is also part of South Asian label Desi Trill alongside Natania. Subhi also released new solo music that further expanded her cross-cultural reach.
47. Divine
DIVINE is an Indian rapper and songwriter from Mumbai credited with pioneering the country’s gully-rap scene and bringing Indian hip-hop into the mainstream. In 2025 he released his fifth studio album Walking on Water, marking a decade since his debut and reinforcing his global influence through collaborations and introspective storytelling rooted in his rise from Mumbai’s streets.
46. Iman Vellani
Iman Vellani is a Canadian actress and comic-book writer best known for starring as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2025 she expanded her work beyond live-action by voicing Kamala in Marvel Zombies and taking on new roles in projects like Animal Farm and Mouse, while continuing to build her portfolio with writing and genre ventures.
45. Rizwan Manji
Rizwan Manji is a Canadian actor and comedian best known for roles on Schitt’s Creek, Outsourced, and The Magicians. In 2025 he continued his screen and stage work by joining the cast of the CBS comedy pilot Zarna as Kishore and appearing in projects like Re-Election and theatrical productions such as Tea for Toofi and Behind the Moon, showcasing his range across television, film, and theatre.
44. Kunal Nayyar
Kunal Nayyar is a British-Indian actor best known for playing Rajesh Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory and for his work across TV and film. This year,l he starred as Mr. Sood in the British musical Christmas Karma directed by Gurinder Chadha, which is an adaptation of the famous Christmas film ‘A Christmas Carol’.
43. Sam Joshi
Sam Joshi is the Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, known for being the youngest and first Indian-American to lead the township and for his focus on public safety, tax stabilization, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement. In 2025, he notably won re-election in a decisive race and continued initiatives to expand public safety resources and local infrastructure while holding hundreds of community meetings to advance his agenda.
42.Nithya Raman
As an urban planner serving as the L.A. City Council member for the 4th district, and Assistant Director Pro Tempore of the Council, Raman is known for her focus on homelessness, housing affordability, tenant protections, and transparency reforms. In 2025, she led initiatives to streamline housing development by cutting bureaucratic red tape, and introduced city-wide homelessness oversight legislation to improve accountability of Los Angeles’s homelessness response.
41. Ro Khanna
Ro Khanna is an American Democratic Congressman representing California’s 17th District, and known for advocating progressive economic policies, technology investment, and greater civic engagement. This year, Khanna gained attention for challenging party leadership on healthcare and budget priorities, and promoting a vision of “economic patriotism” and civic renewal while engaging broadly on national political debates.
40. Lilly Singh
Lilly Singh is a Canadian YouTuber, actress, producer, author, and advocate who rose to fame with her comedy and motivational content and now leads multimedia projects through her Unicorn Island Productions while championing gender equality and representation. This year, she produced and acted in a film ‘Doin It’, which brought several South Asian actors and artists together.
39. Simone Ashley
Actress Simone Ashley, known for her breakout role in Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ series, was seen in the romantic comedy ‘Picture This’ earlier this year. She also made an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, and is set to be seen in the fourth season of Bridgerton releasing in 2026.
38. Jasmine Sandlas
Indian-American singer Jasmine Sandlas is renowned for her powerful vocals and fusion of Punjabi, pop, R&B, and folk influences that have made her a standout voice in South Asian and global music. She lent her vocals to the blockbuster Bollywood film ‘Dhurandhar’ that released in December 2025, which solidified her reputation as a dynamic live and recording artist.
37. Payal Kadakia
Payal Kadakia is the founder of ClassPass, the global fitness and wellness membership platform that transformed how people discover and book classes and experiences. In 2025, she continued guiding ClassPass as part of the newly created Playlist parent brand that unites ClassPass with Mindbody & Booker, reinforcing its role in wellness tech and supporting partners with shared industry insights.
36. Talha Anjum
Talha Anjum is a Pakistani rapper and songwriter, best known as one-half of the influential hip-hop duo Young Stunners and for bringing Urdu rap to a wide audience in South Asia. In 2025, he was crowned Pakistan’s most-streamed artist on Spotify for the second consecutive year, amassing hundreds of millions of streams. He also grew to notoriety when he raised an Indian flag given to him by a fan after the recent tension between both countries.
35. Karan Aujla
The Punjabi-Canadian singer has become an influential voice in global Punjabi music, and this year, he released his critically acclaimed album P‑Pop Culture, which debuted high on international charts and helped propel Punjabi music globally while breaking streaming records and launching his P‑POP CULTURE World Tour, further solidifying his international impact.
34. Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for her work on The Office, The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever, and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Wikipedia In 2025 she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and released the Netflix sports comedy series Running Point, which she created and executive produced.
33. Padma Lakshmi
An Emmy nominated Indian-American author, food expert, and television host, Padma Lakshmi is best known for hosting Top Chef and creating the culinary travel series Taste the Nation. In 2025 she published the cookbook Padma’s All American, which highlights recipes and stories from immigrant and Indigenous communities she encountered across the U.S.
32. Vikas Khanna
Michelin star winning chef at New York City’s Indian restaurant The Bungalow, Vikas Khanna is celebrated for bringing Indian cuisine to global audiences through his restaurants, cookbooks, and films like The Last Color. In 2025 he was honored as Person of the Year by Harvard University’s South Asian Association for his contributions to Indian culinary arts and culture and continued his role as a judge on Celebrity MasterChef India while expanding his influence with new initiatives and culinary projects.
31. Rhea Raj
Rhea Raj is an Indian-American pop singer and songwriter, and is known for her genre-blending pop and electropop anthems and viral hits like Devil in a Dress and Outside. This year, she released her follow-up EP Commotion, performed at major festivals like Lollapalooza and iHeartRadio, and continued to build her profile as a fashion and pop culture force with standout appearances and bold new singles like “Mumbai.”
The ‘Never Have I Ever’ Sri-Lankan Canadian actress has since expanded her work, and was seen in Disney’s Freakier Friday, and Netflix’s animated The Twits, and she voiced roles in several animated features.
29. Tilak Verma
Indian cricketer Tilak Verma went viral on social media after his standout performance in the 2025 Asia Cup finals against Pakistan, as he singlehandedly took the team to the trophy. He has cemented his status as a key player for India with standout performances in T20 internationals, climbing to a top ICC T20I batting ranking and showcasing his talent across formats.
28. Sunita Williams
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is known for her extensive spaceflight career, including multiple long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station and setting the record for the most cumulative spacewalk time by a woman. In 2025 she returned to Earth in March after an extended nine-month ISS mission that included critical spacewalks and scientific work following the first crewed Boeing Starliner flight, further cementing her legacy in human space exploration.
27. Anuv Jain
Indian singer-songwriter Anuv Jain is known for his soulful, acoustic driven songs that have gone viral over social media, and have made him a leading voice in India’s indie music scene. In 2025 he released his first major collaboration Afsos featuring AP Dhillon, dropped the single Inaam, and continued expanding his reach with significant streaming success and a world tour announcement.
26. Vir Das
The Indian stand-up comedian and actor released his introspective Netflix comedy special Vir Das: Fool Volume, announced his nationwide Sounds of India tour, and debuted his memoir The Outsider, while also preparing his feature directorial debut with the comedy Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. He also hosted a sold out show at Madison Square Garden during his international tour.
25. Nora Fatehi
Although Fatehi’s roots are Moroccan-Canadian, she has cemented her position in the South Asian entertainment industry as a dancer, singer, and performer. This year, she starred in the Hindi dance-drama Be Happy and the Netflix series The Royals, headlined international music festivals, and released hit collaborations like the cross-cultural single “Snake” with Jason Derulo while launching global fan-engagement campaigns like #DanceWithNora.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee is an acclaimed Indian fashion designer and founder of the luxury label Sabyasachi celebrated 25 years in fashion with a landmark Mumbai runway show in 2025, dressed international and Bollywood stars, and further elevated his global profile by designing Shah Rukh Khan’s Met Gala outfit while advocating for Indian craft and cultural soft power on international stages.
23. Mahira Khan
The Pakistani actor and entrepreneur is one the country’s most popular stars, known for breakout roles in dramas like Humsafar and films including Raees and The Legend of Maula Jatt. In 2025 she starred in the romantic drama Neelofar and remained a high‑profile cultural figure and brand ambassador (including for PSL cricket), continuing her long career in South Asian entertainment.
22. Diipa Khosla
The Dutch‑based Indian fashion and beauty influencer and entrepreneur is known for her global digital presence and for founding the Ayurvedistry‑inspired skincare brand indē wild, which blends traditional Indian wellness with modern formulations. This year, she was recognized as one of India’s top women influencer‑founders, expanded indē wild into international retail like Sephora, and went viral on social media for highlighting Indian fashion at the Tyla concert in Mumbai.
21. Hania Aamir
Hania Aamir is a Pakistani actress and rising film and television star known for her charismatic performances in popular dramas and movies. In 2025 she earned the Best Actress of the Year (Viewers’ Choice) at the Lux Style Awards for Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, and starred in the Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3 while leading the cast of the romantic TV series Meri Zindagi Hai Tu and serving as a National Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women Pakistan.
20. AP Dhillon
AP Dhillon is an Indo-Canadian singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer known for blending Punjabi music with hip-hop and R&B, rising to global fame with hits like Brown Munde and Insane. In 2025 he released the successful single “Thodi Si Daaru” featuring Shreya Ghoshal and headlined his ambitious “One of One” India tour.
19. Akshaye Khanna
The famous Bollywood actor took the internet by storm in December 2025 with his performance in the film ‘Dhurandhar’ as Rehman Dakait. His charisma and charm playing the character made him standout to the audience, and earlier in 2025, Khanna also won the audience’s love in ‘Chhaava’.
18. Karan Johar
Karan Johar is a renowned Indian filmmaker, producer, and television personality best known for directing and producing influential Bollywood films and for leading Dharma Productions. In 2025, he won a National Film Award for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and produced several high-profile films including Homebound (screened at Cannes).
Bollywood and Hollywood actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas had a power packed year, as she starred in the Hollywood action-comedy Heads of State and continued expanding her international film career with high-profile Hollywood and cross-cultural projects, while also preparing for a major return to Indian cinema with Varanasi under S.S. Rajamouli and actively engaging in global fashion and cultural events throughout the year.
16. A.R. Rahman
The globally celebrated Indian composer, producer, and musician known for his innovative fusion of classical Indian and contemporary sounds that have redefined film music. In 2025, he composed major soundtracks such as Thug Life and Tere Ishk Mein, launched his “The Wonderment Tour” across North America, and was honoured with the prestigious Lakshminarayana International Award for his contributions to the arts.
Hussain Mansuri is a Mumbai-based social media influencer and philanthropist who uses his large Instagram platform to share heartfelt videos of acts of kindness and community support that inspire empathy and social responsibility. In 2025, his compassionate content—like helping people in need, supporting underprivileged children and patients, and promoting messages of unity and respect across communities.
14. Talwiinder
The Indian-Punjabi singer is known for blending Punjabi music with electronic, R&B, and pop influences while performing behind signature skull-design face paint to keep his personal identity private. His cross-border collaboration on ‘Pal Pal’ became incredibly popular, and his popularity strengthened after his international tour.
Bhavitha Mandava is a 25-year-old Indian model from Hyderabad and trained architect who unexpectedly launched her international fashion career after being scouted in a New York City subway. In 2025, she made history as the first Indian model to open Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show in New York, a milestone moment that quickly went viral and marked her rise as a global runway star.
12. Shreya Ghoshal
As a celebrated Indian playback singer and established in the Indian music industry, Shreya Ghoshal marked 25 years in the industry in 2025, delivered acclaimed songs and devotional releases like “O Kanha Re” and “Ganesha Pancharatnam”, ranked among Spotify’s top artists in India and globally.
11. Alia Bhatt
The versatile and talented Bollywood actress may not have had a release this year, but she won the Golden Globe Horizon Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival, continued to make high-profile red carpet appearances including Cannes 2025, and earned the Best Actress award at the 70th Filmfare Awards for her role in Jigra—solidifying her status as one of Bollywood’s most prominent stars on the global stage.
10. Virat Kohli
Cricketer Virat Kohli is the most followed Indian celebrity on social media, and this year, he became the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs and scoring crucial centuries — including an unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy that helped India win the title. He was also part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team as they won their first IPL crown and set multiple franchise records with prolific run-scoring throughout the season.
9. Arijit Singh
Renowned Indian playback singer Arijit Singh achieved major milestones in 2025 by becoming one of the most-followed and most-streamed Indian artists globally on Spotify, topping India’s Spotify Wrapped and ranking in the platform’s global top 10, and he also made history as the first Indian musician to headline a UK stadium concert while releasing notable tracks and collaborations like his contribution to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire.
8. Aneet Padda
New Bollywood star Aneet Padda emerged as one of Bollywood’s breakout stars with her acclaimed lead performance in the romantic drama ‘Saiyaara’, gaining widespread recognition, box-office success, and awards for her work, while also making her runway debut as a showstopper at Lakmé Fashion Week and becoming a rising Gen Z icon in Indian cinema.
7. Ahaan Panday
Debutant Ahaan Panday became an overnight star with his breakout performance as the lead in the romantic drama ‘Saiyaara’, earning critical and commercial acclaim and winning Debutant Actor of the Year at NDTV’s Indian of the Year awards for his performance.
This year, Ranveer Singh delivered one of his biggest career highlights by starring as the lead in the spy action thriller ‘Dhurandhar’, which became a massive box-office blockbuster in India and overseas and crossed the ₹1,000 crore club, marking him as one of the most commercially successful Indian actors of the year.
5. Lara Raj
Katseye K-Pop member Lara Raj made global waves this year helping the group win MTV’s Push Performance of the Year at the VMAs and elevate their June EP Beautiful Chaos on international charts while also publicly coming out as queer, becoming a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ and South Asian representation in mainstream pop culture.
4. Hanumankind
In 2025, Indian-born rapper Hanumankind released his critically acclaimed debut mixtape Monsoon Season featuring high-profile collaborations and standout singles like Run It Up and Villainous Freestyle, and he made history by headlining his first Rolling Loud India performance and debuting at Coachella, blending Kerala’s traditional chenda melam with global hip-hop on the world’s biggest festival stages. He also made headlines with the title song of ‘Dhurandhar’ that went viral on social media.
As one of the most loved and popular actors in the world, SRK marked 2025 by winning his first-ever National Film Award for Best Actor for his acclaimed performance in ‘Jawan’, solidifying his enduring legacy in Indian cinema, and he also made history with a high-impact debut at the Met Gala, topping global media rankings as a celebrated international fashion presence.
The Indian-Punjabi singer continued to make waves in his career this year, as he earned widespread international acclaim with his first-ever International Emmy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor for his portrayal of Punjabi music legend Amar Singh Chamkila in ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ on Netflix, marking a major milestone for Indian actors on the global stage. He also made cultural waves with high-profile appearances — including a memorable Met Gala debut celebrated in fan polls — and continued to elevate Punjabi music and cinema worldwide.
Politican Zorhan Mamdani made history this year by winning the New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor on a platform focused on affordability, free transit, and progressive reforms that energized record turnout among younger voters.
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