Table of contents for March - April 2025 in Cosmopolitan India

What does ‘thriving’ mean to you? When you have enough money in your bank even if recession is trending and exercising free-will is a given? Or… does it have to do with a mindset that diminishes any feeling of lack regardless of your circumstances? And, if none of the above, is it when, on a more deeply humane note, you always have people who will shower you with love and lift you up when you feel out of order? While working on this issue with my all-star team, we wanted to touch upon key elements that felt like there was room to learn and flourish, where there was very little room left for feeling like one part of your life had to take precedence over another. Perhaps because we believe…

I have to hand it to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag (2016–19) for altering my brain chemistry forever and leaving an indelible mark on my impressionable young mind. Special mention to the ‘hair’ monologue in episode five of season two, that follows after a hairstylist who completely annihilates Claire’s hair (#justiceforthatponytail). If you’re one of those few people who still hasn’t seen it, what’s the name of the rock you are living under? If you have, I know you’re already about to read this in Fleabag’s voice: “Hair is everything. We wish it wasn’t, so we could actually think about something else occasionally. But it is. It’s the difference between a good day and a bad day. We’re meant to think that it’s a symbol of power, that it’s a symbol of…

When we think of the rules of lovemaking, it is usually centred around an abled body, a body that is capable of penetrative sex and performing all the sequential steps leading up to it. Go ahead, watch any movie, turn on any show. It’s all over. Whether it’s sexy, able-bodied foreplay or steamy vampire humping that breaks the bed—Edward Cullen and Nosferatu, here’s looking at you. Not me though. I’m a physically disabled queer person who uses an accessible vibrator to pleasure myself, most often. For those who can’t imagine it, let me paint a picture…of the vibrator, silly. It has a circular handle bar that is easy to grip and is small enough to fit into my pocket. Of course, to say a vibrator is the only thing that…

Don’t feel the need to offer solutions Just listen and try not to feel like you have to “fix” anything. “Both men and women want the same thing—to be seen, heard, and validated,” says Jodie Cariss, therapist and founder of Self Space. Lucas Whitehead at Andy’s Man Club agrees that, from his experiences in groups, “subtlety is key”, and that people just want to know they’re not alone. Consider low-key signposts to show they’re not alone “As someone who suffered in silence for a number of years, relatability was something I always craved—I felt alone and isolated by my issues, as though I was the only person in my situation,” says Lucas. “If a man is struggling, I suggest trying to find someone he admires in the public sphere who…

Harlin Sachdeva never thought being an entrepreneur was on the cards for her. But, as can be said of life, it had other plans. After the demise of her father, at the age of 17, she partnered with her mother to launch a home-based linen business to support their family. The mother-daughter duo started from scratch and turned their startup into a 30x profitable business within months. This was Sachdeva’s sign to create something of her own. While the dream festered, she chased her interest in beauty—which was cultivated early on, watching her mother use makeup as a child, playing with colours, textures, and products. She started her journey at Fab Bag (now known as Sugar Cosmetics) and Unilever, and then managed multiple fashion and lifestyle brands, including heading Nykaa’s…

Manisha Kumar, Regional Chief Operating Officer at Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd, is shaping the future of healthcare through innovation and strategic leadership. With over 16 years of experience, she manages cancer hospitals across South India and is recognised for her expertise in business turnaround, strategic growth, and hospital start-ups. Kumar’s ability to deliver organisational success is proven by her track record. She led the revival of a hospital business with an annual turnover of ₹700 crore, demonstrating exceptional strategic and operational skills. One of her key achievements was establishing a tertiary care super-specialty hospital and achieving break-even in just 11 months—a remarkable feat in the healthcare industry. An MBA graduate from the Indian School of Business, Kumar’s business acumen set the foundation for her career. She mentors healthcare start-ups, providing…

Aditi Parekh is more than just a name in the Indian fashion industry; she is a force for change. As the founder and CEO of Fashion Edit India, she has carved a place for herself that honours both well-known and up-and-coming designers in addition to building a premium platform that unites tradition with modern taste. However, Parekh’s journey is characterised by a deeper mission—empowering women, establishing community, and leading with vision—which goes beyond the glitz of couture and the grandeur of luxury showcases. Parekh, who was raised in a business-bureaucratic family, was greatly impacted by Indian joint-household values, which combined in her an enterprising spirit with an instinctive emotional intelligence. Parekh has committed herself to creating chances that empower and elevate people, whether they are entrepreneurs looking for funding or…

They went to space and came back…older? After nine months in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are back on Earth—and looking a little different. Williams, in particular, turned heads with her newly greyed hair. NASA explained that space accelerates ageing-like changes, from rapid hair greying to muscle and bone loss. “Imagine if all of your physiological changes were hyper-accelerated so that you passed through life cycles in weeks instead of decades. You’d be able to grow a beard overnight, your hair might start greying in days, or menopause could arrive by next weekend,” they shared. The duo launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, for what was meant to be a week-long mission. Instead, technical issues kept them in orbit for over nine months before their…

Although correct at the time of going to press, prices are subject to change.…

CHAPPELL ROAN If Cosmo were to dress Chappell for the Met Gala on May 5, the moodboard would include her staple theatrics. To anyone up against her, “Good luck, babe!” DOECHII Hip-hop has a new rap child-—we’re pretty sure Doechii’s outing will be free of anxiety, thanks to a radically structured interpretation of this year’s theme. THEMES FROM THE PAST DECADE 2015 China: Through the Looking Glass 2016 Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology 2017 Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between 2018 Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination 2019 Camp: Notes on Fashion 2021 In America: A Lexicon of Fashion 2022 In America: An Anthology of Fashion 2023 Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty 2024 Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion 2025 Superfine: Tailoring Black Style…

NAMRATA JOSHIPURA This celebrated designer ties fashion with her fitness bug to give athleisure a 2025 makeover. The new drop boasts sculpted bodysuits, puffer jackets, and elevated tees. ACQUIRE Angélique Raina’s latest contemporary women’s brand is all about making luxury sustainable. Add to that Raina’s experiments with fabrics, weaving techniques, and colours, which offer a unique blend of modern silhouettes perfect for a girls’ day out. 2112 SALDON Has Ladakh been checked off your fashion bucket list yet? If not, we bring you 2112 Saldon—an ode to the founder Padma Saldon’s cultural influences. Expect ethically produced, artisanal luxury clothing and timeless contemporary pieces made from revived hand-woven sheep wool. HOUSE OF URMI Founder Anjali Ashok wants the inherent history of Malabar, Kerala heard. From clothes to accessories—the brand offers a range for…

1. When plans don’t work out how you’d hoped, you: a Allow yourself to feel your emotions and focus on self-care. b Set goals that you can achieve quickly to build positive momentum. c Doomscroll on Instagram until a video sparks inspiration. 2. You’re about to introduce your new partner to your friends; you: a Write a list of goals and break each one into achievable action items. b Create a detailed vision board that represents your ideal life. c Tap into gratitude and journal until you know exactly how your dream life would feel. 3. Your star sign is: a Cancer, Scorpio, Taurus, Libra b Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, Aquarius c Virgo, Capricorn, Aries, Pisces 4. Your boss has just tasked you with a huge creative project. Your first step…

Glazed donut skin out, satin skin in With an ultra-dewy visage on its way out, expect the shift to a more natural, soft-focus finish. Hybrid formulae have come out to play, shrinking your vanity to hold just the requisite few for an airbrushed, au naturel effect (pro tip: Keep your highlighter handy, a swipe of shimmer is always welcome). Strive for the right balance between dewy and matte skin… the best of both worlds sans excessive shine—and a bit (read: A lot) of blush. Smell like a million bucks Victoria’s Secret unveils Bare Magnolia—a silky, sensual scent that leaves a lasting impression. Meticulously crafted with upcycled orange flower, magnolia wood, and vanilla musk, the fragrance lingers on… evoking a sense of self-assurance for the wearer. Better yet, the aroma goes…

ALL HANDS ON DECK “My first boyfriend fingered me, and while I thought I was close, I was nowhere near the finish line. Neither here nor there, my curiosity was at its peak; I went home and opened up Cosmo to get the job done, myself. I scheduled some time in the day, put on music, mimicked his movements, and gushhh… My body quivered and there was a blissful release, an explosion of pleasure. I surrendered to the wave.” RYSHA SAHAI* MY BODY IS MY TEMPLE “I had my first orgasm at 16. ’Cause of no man, but because I took ownership of my sexuality and explored my body through self-love and touch. That moment was more than just physical—it was about coming into my own and embracing my femininity.…

Sonali Srungaram is known for her contribution to healthcare. With her technical experience and relentless commitment to societal upliftment, she has revoked a sense of empathy in all. Before turning into an entrepreneur, Sonali had an impressive resume as a consultant. Working across New Zealand, the UK, and India, her 12 year experience with Accenture helped her gain a global perspective and an understanding on complex projects. Then arrived a pivotal moment, an inner calling, where she chose to break the flow of her steady career, shifting the path and pay to address the gaps in cancer care. But the trigger to this shift was personal, when a close relative’s cancer battle exposed the faults in the healthcare system. She recognised how the patient’s opinion gets sidelined during the process…

The road to success is about more than just the goal—it is the journey, the hurdles, and the decisions made along the way, in both personal and professional aspects of life. Embracing this philosophy, Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global Ventures--Aksha Kamboj guides the company to excellence with her strong, empathetic vision. Her journey is an inspiration to all the women trying to crack the work-life balance. Kamboj’s story starts with a fight for gender parity in a world where women put in twice as much effort as men to achieve the same goals. Kamboj challenges these norms. Her perseverance has helped Aspect Global Ventures reach great heights, and within a few years the business has expanded through multiple industries—from infrastructure and real estate to hospitality and bullion. But Kamboj’s leadership…

If you’ve spent enough time scrolling through reels on Instagram, chances are you’ve stopped on a video of three girls singing a mash-up of Bollywood and English pop songs. And if your immediate reaction was, “Gosh, these girls can sing!”—well, same. Allow me to introduce Girls Like You (GLY)—a British-South Asian trio made up of Yasmin, Naveena, and Jaya. Scouted through social media by their record label/management, the girls came together like it was fate. Yasmin, a Londoner with Sri Lankan and Persian roots, was the first one to join; followed by Jaya, a Bollywood-loving Punjabi girl from Birmingham; and Naveena, a half-Punjabi, half-Gujarati from Leeds. “Although I didn’t know the girls before we formed the group, now it feels as if I’ve known them forever,” shares Yasmin. You’d think…

I’ve wanted to be a model since I was very young. I admire the beauty, confidence, and grace of models and wanted to embody those qualities. But the journey wasn’t easy. I was rejected over 45 times in Melbourne, Australia—where I grew up—before finally signing with a modelling agency. Now, I’ve been a model for over 17 years. While I’d love to say I’m always confident, most of the time I’m not—and I’m still working on it. I have many bad days when I can’t even look at myself in the mirror, becoming my own worst critic. After facing rejection, I would cry and indulge in negative self-talk. But there was always a voice that kept asking, “If someone else is achieving the goals you want, why can’t you?” Back…

GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Emily Henry Why not start your summer with a magical exhale that transports you into Emily Henry’s fantastical world of romances? Like her yearly bullseye, she is set the stage for another fleeting summer romance whose plot is plotting! A slow burn that’s going to make you want to forget that glass of Martini till you hit the end. THE LET THEM THEORY by Mel Robbins A two-word solution (non-alcoholic) that assures your sanity. Popular claims are that this book is the best relationship advice you’ll ever receive. This one by the global sensation Mel Robbins teaches the foundational value of deprioritising the source of your problems, breaking free from the exhausting cycle of judgement, and focusing on controlling only what you can. WE DO…

You, Season 5 April 24, On Netflix Protagonist Joe Goldberg might be a walking red flag, but boring? Never. The murky show’s final and highly-anticipated season will be picking up right where season 4 left off. In a teaser, Joe breaks the fourth wall to creep us all out. “Hello, you,” he whispers, before signing off with, “Goodbye, you.” Uh…should we be worried? Do we need to keep our tasers handy while watching the show? Hello? Netflix? Drop In theatres As if dating in this generation wasn’t already a nightmare, this movie will be taking it to a whole new level! It will follow Meghann Fahy (Violet), a widowed mom dipping her toes back into the dating pool. Midway through her first date with Brandon Sklenar’s character, Henry, Violet starts…

SPICY GOURMAND MUSKY & POWDERY AQUATIC WOODY FLORAL FRUITY…

SUN-DRY YOUR JEWELS March through your closet till you find your jewel-toned better halves. LESBIAN CHIC, OVER AND OUT Suited minimalism—with a side of sexy—hot off the runway. MOTO BOHO Always wondered what style made Suki Waterhouse ‘that’ girl? Rev up those modern boho silks and laces for a moto mix up. SILVER MAXIMALISM A moment of silence for all your golden buys; the stats on it this season is truly a tragedy. Moon child represent. GRUNGE REVISIT The ‘clean girl’ just walked off. Plaid and layering stand undefeated in modern world grunge. A ZEBRA CROSSING Zebra print has entered the chat with the industry’s seal of approval. A new era of takeover after many a hit-and-miss in the fashion world. Although correct at the time of going to press,…

There’s something about Mrunal Thakur. A pulchritudinous girl who disarms you with her warmth and smile to snub delulu where it hurts the most—in being as real as it gets. Mrunal feels like the MVP who is almost always fully present in the moment. She made this quality pretty evident while on set for the cover shoot, picking up on small nuances and noticing everything and everyone, from the art lead to the spot boy. Strong-willed, after almost 13 years in the entertainment business, 32-year-old Mrunal’s body of work and filmography is reflective of a range of characters and story arcs that are diverse and divergent, all at once. She not only managed to gracefully transition from making her television debut in 2012 to regional cinema in 2014, but consciously…

At 24, Pratibha Ranta has already won an IIFA, worked with Kiran Rao and Sanjay Leela Bhansali—directors most actors would sell their souls to even be around—and has 1.2 million followers on Instagram. Oh, and she also has two adorable cats (at this point, you could just say I’m jealous). So, when I was told I’d be interviewing her, I was a little unnerved. After all, I am a year older and spiralling in the very specific way that only 25-year-olds do—when they think it’s over for them because they’re 25 (and hence, ancient), but everyone else their age is basically an infant. However, my misgivings were soon mollified as my phone pinged with a WhatsApp voice note—Pratibha’s first answer. Two answers in, and I learnt that she is also…

In the fast-evolving fields of technology, real estate, and personal development, few individuals are as deeply integrated into innovation as Priyanka Gera. As Founder-CEO of Aeria, an AI-powered real estate and asset management platform, Gera has been instrumental in transforming traditional property management across Asia-Pacific. An architect from SPA Delhi, with a finance specialisation from IIM Calcutta, Gera began her career at real estate giant JLL, where she worked with top developers. She witnessed JLL India’s growth from ₹100 crore to ₹3,500 crore in under a decade. These early experiences ignited her entrepreneurial spirit. With over 10 years in the real estate sector, Gera identified a gap in the student housing market and pursued her entrepreneurial dreams. In 2017, she co-founded OxfordCaps, scaling it into a $20 million ARR business…

Poonam Sharma, the chairperson of Accurate Group of Institutions, is committed to her ethics, values, and principles. Being the inspiration that she is, her knowledge and dedication has been the driving force behind the institution, making it one of the premium management institutes in Delhi-NCR. She started with a master’s degree in International Business Management, which acted as a great foundation to her educational journey. With a passion to contribute to India’s development through knowledge, she founded the Accurate Institute of Management and Technology in 2006. In just four years, Sharma called for an expansion into the Accurate Group of Institutions. Her commitment to the noble cause of quality education remains as strong as the ethos of the institution. Sharma has a powerful work dynamic, encourages a culture of teamwork,…

CAFÉ FLEUR, NEW DELHI From designer Varun Bahl, this recent addition to their store in Mehrauli has quickly become a favourite among shoppers and store owners. Perhaps the single-estate organic medium roast sourced directly from local growers in Karnataka has something to do with it. Or perhaps it is their burrata-topped pizza with a millefeuille base, the banana tea cake paired with crème anglaise, and every one of their croissant offerings. COROMANDEL CAFE, PUDUCHERRY Of course you were expecting Pondy-style vintage architecture, and the Coromandel Cafe delivers. In a Palladian-style mansion stands the cafe, replete with dull rose, green murals, restored furniture, and statement chandeliers—but it changes from room to room. If you’re looking for a hearty all-day breakfast menu with a bit of Franco-Tamil and European zhuzh, look no…