Ananya Shankar

Ananya Shankar

Features Writer & Sub-Editor

Ananya is a Mumbai-based film and lifestyle journalist who has previously written for publications like HELLO! India and Bombay Times.

MORE FROM ANANYA SHANKAR

Dominic Arun.
Columns

'Lokah' Director Dominic Arun Reveals His Favourite Films of All Time

From Malayalam classics to indie gems and Hollywood masterpieces, director-screenwriter Dominic Arun shares the movies that shaped his imagination and approach to storytelling.

BY Ananya Shankar
On the sets of 'Dhurandhar', 'Guns & Gulaabs', 'Aśoka' and 'Shyam Singha Roy'.
Interviews

From 'Dhurandhar' to 'Toxic': Bollywood's Biggest Costume Designers Pull Back the Curtain

From mere afterthought to recognised art form, costume designers Smriti Chauhan, Neha Bajaj, Anu Vardhan and Neeraja Kona are now finally demanding their due.

BY Ananya Shankar
Pernia Qureshi.
Interviews

What's Pernia Qureshi Reading This Month?

From subtle costuming to defining looks, Pernia Qureshi picks films where fashion does more than dress the frame.

BY Ananya Shankar
A picture of the Aura SkyPool in Dubai.
Travel

Where India Meets the World in Dubai’s Cultural Quarter

From arthouse cinema to haute couture and sky-high dining, Dubai feels like a second home for India’s creative class.

BY Ananya Shankar
Saba Azad, Santanu Hazarika, Arjun Kanungo and Krystle D'Souza.
Fashion

On-Set Wardrobes: What Saba Azad, Arjun Kanungo, Santanu Hazarika and Krystle D'Souza Wear To Work

Spotted on set, on stage and on the streets — four tastemakers reveal the clothes, shoes and accessories they swear by right now.

BY Ananya Shankar
Fashion

The Devil Says Nada: On The Death of Fashion Critique in India

In 2026, genuine fashion critique can’t be heard over the claps and front-row selfies. Can the real critics please stand up?

BY Ananya Shankar
Manish Malhotra with showstopper Kriti Sanon at Dubai Fashion Week 2026
Fashion

Dubai Fashion Week 2026: Manish Malhotra and Krésha Bajaj Lead the Charge

The Hollywood Reporter India sits front row at Dubai Fashion Week, in conversation with Manish Malhotra, Kresha Bajaj, and AFC founder and CEO Jacob Abrian as Indian fashion makes a stronger claim in the Middle East.

BY Ananya Shankar
Basil Joseph.
Columns

Basil Joseph Picks His Favourite TV Shows: 'The Office,' 'Breaking Bad' and More

These five television shows reveal how filmmaker and actor Basil Joseph thinks about characters, narratives and plot twists.

BY Ananya Shankar
From left to right: Diljit Dosanjh, Jonita Gandhi and Karan Aujla on stage.
Fashion

Diljit Dosanjh to Jonita Gandhi: How Are Indian Pop Stars Experimenting With Fashion?

Indian pop stars today are ditching the dated bodysuit for something far more interesting

BY Ananya Shankar
Fashion designer Anamika Khanna.
Interviews

Anamika Khanna On Reshaping How Indian Women Dress, and Why Sonam Kapoor Is Her Constant Muse

From Rashmika Mandanna to Oprah Winfrey, Ananya Panday to Deepika Padukone, designer Anamika Khanna is working with her twin sons, still dressing global icons, and watching Indian fashion claim its place on the world stage — all while staying true to her instinct.

BY Ananya Shankar
For Hina Khan, one of the highlights of the trip was visiting the locations where famous K-dramas were shot.
Travel

Hina Khan Recounts Seoul-Searching in South Korea

Actor Hina Khan explores South Korea’s scenic beauty, historic palaces, cosy cafés and celebrated skincare rituals — all packed into a one-week getaway.

BY Ananya Shankar
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sonam Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter and Alia Bhatt.
Fashion

2025's Best-Dressed Stars: Alia Bhatt, Ishaan Khatter, Diljit Dosanjh and More

The Hollywood Reporter India picks the looks that broke the Internet — and the icons that redefined India's style landscape — in 2025.

BY Ananya Shankar
Falguni Shane Peacock.
Fashion

Falguni Shane Peacock: Inside India’s Global Atelier That Has Dressed Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga

With Fergie, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga in their portfolio, Falguni Shane Peacock turned feathers and crystals into a global fashion language — and never looked back.

BY Ananya Shankar
Shantanu Maheshwari, Diipa Büller-Khosla, Nishtha Parwani and Guntas Sethi.
Fashion

On-Set Wardrobes: What Shantanu Maheshwari, Diipa Büller-Khosla, Nishtha Parwani and Guntas Sethi Wear to Work

Four industry insiders share their go-to uniforms, hero pieces and the comfort-driven codes that define their personal style.

BY Ananya Shankar
Indo Warehouse, a south Asian Electronic Collective.
Interviews

From Coachella to Sunburn: Indo Warehouse on Taking South Asian House Music Global

Fresh off a milestone Delhi show, founders Kahani and Kunal Merchant of Indo Warehouse talk working with Raja Kumari, channeling Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and the anticipation for tonight’s Mumbai performances.

BY Ananya Shankar
HYBE Entertainment, in collaboration with BookMyShow brings a glimpse into Jung Kook's life to Mumbai's Mehboob Studio.
Insight

Jung Kook’s ‘GOLDEN: The Moments’ Exhibition Makes India Debut at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai

Brought to India by BookMyShow Live and HYBE, the immersive showcase opens December 12 and invites fans into Jung Kook’s creative universe through rare visuals, iconic outfits, music rooms and exclusive merchandise.

BY Ananya Shankar
Anya Singh wears an ensemble by Only and shoes from Oceedee.
Fashion

Anya Singh: 'My Sense of Style is Minimalistic, Chic... Clean'

In elevated basics and snuggly silhouettes, the 'Ba***ds of Bollywood' star shows how to stay comfortable without dialling down the chic.

BY Ananya Shankar
Sarika Dresswalla at her Mumbai store.
Fashion

100 Years of Maganlal Dresswalla: From 'Mughal-E-Azam' To 'Mission: Impossible' and More

Sarika Dresswalla carries forward almost a century of tradition at Maganlal Dresswalla, outfitting everything from period epics like 'Mughal-E-Azam' to Hollywood blockbusters like 'Mission: Impossible'.

BY Ananya Shankar
Kirti Kulhari, Mary Ann Alexander, Giorgia Andriani and Sagar Bhatia.
Fashion

On-Set Wardobes: What Kirti Kulhari, Mary Ann Alexander, Sagar Bhatia and Giorgia Andriani Wear to Work

Whether it’s mismatched socks or Cartier watches, here’s what creatives across cinema and music are wearing — and what it says about them.

BY Ananya Shankar
Mandira Bedi.
Interviews

What Is Mandira Bedi Reading This Month?

Mandira Bedi’s reading list reveals the lenses through which she approaches healing, becoming and possibility.

BY Ananya Shankar