Kusha Kapila began her working life in fashion journalism, first as a fashion editor and later as a writer at iDiva, after studying at NIFT. Her comedy sketches soon became the talk of the town, and that popularity opened the door to acting. Her screen debut came in the Netflix anthology Ghost Stories in 2020. Masaba Masaba followed on Netflix, and she went on to co-host the third season of Comicstaan. Her role as a judge in Case Toh Banta Hai earned her an Indian Television Academy Awards nomination for best actress in a comedy series. She has graced the cover of Cosmopolitan, and she played a professor named Chhaya in Dehati Ladke.
The big screen came next. She played Meher Chhibber in Sukhee in 2023 and Neha, nicknamed The Queen, in Thank You for Coming, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. That same year she made her red carpet debut at the Cannes Film Festival in a hand-embroidered Rahul Mishra gown. This year she joined the second season of Maamla Legal Hai as advocate Naina Arora. She is also a co-founder of the innerwear brand UnderNeat, launched alongside Vimarsh Razdan and investor Ghazal Alagh, and her first production leap is the short film Vyarth.
Fifteen Years of Mijwan Called for a Big Celebration
Manish Malhotra and Shabana Azmi marked 15 years of their persistent work on Mijwan very recently, and Mumbai hosted the party on September 26, 2026. The showcase gave chikankari a runway of its own, and the new couture pieces put Indian craft and the women behind it at the forefront. Women's empowerment was the heartbeat of the night, and every outfit helped tell that story. The showcase doubled as a charity event for the artisans.
Mijwan Welfare Society was founded by the poet Kaifi Azmi in the village of Mijwan in Uttar Pradesh, and his daughter Shabana Azmi leads it today. Manish Malhotra joined the mission in 2010, and the two have championed it ever since. Fifteen years of this shared partnership showing up for artisans is a rare gift in a business that loves novelty, so this celebration was well earned.
Kusha Kapila Wears Red to the Celebration
Kusha Kapila chose a red saree for the evening, and what a choice it was. The drape flows in a glossy crimson fabric dotted by tiny sequins, and a beaded edge traces the pallu as it falls from her shoulder in generous folds. The lower end trails along the floor and gives the whole outfit a grand finish.
Her blouse is a cropped, sleeveless piece covered in sequins arranged in vertical lines, and a high neckline adds a regal touch. The sequined blouse shimmers against the flowing saree, and the two textures make a striking pair. The blouse and saree match so closely that the ensemble reads as one single idea. A jeweled maang tikka decorates her parting, a few rings dress her fingers, and her hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders. In the photo she closes her eyes and lifts one hand in a graceful gesture, clearly loving the night. Red is a festive colour, and she wore it beautifully.
Chikankari Gets Its Runway Spotlight
Chikankari is a delicate form of hand embroidery that comes from Lucknow, and it rewards patience. The Mijwan initiative works alongside women from neighbouring villages, and the organisation trains artisans so their talent can grow into a livelihood. Manish Malhotra's partnership since 2010 has concentrated on reviving the craft and creating opportunities for women in and around Mijwan.
After 15 years, the result is a collection of beautiful clothes that make the artisans' skill the star. Every stitch on that runway is the work of a woman's hands, and seeing couture pieces celebrate that skill made the evening shine. Craft this lovely deserves a spotlight, and a Mumbai runway gave it a big one.
Kusha Kapila Loved the Speeches
Hearing Manish Malhotra and Shabana Azmi talk about Mijwan was the favorite part of the evening, because so much heart went into every word. Kusha Kapila was there to hear it all, and the warmth of the two hosts was easy to love.
Shabana Azmi is an actor and activist who leads the organisation her father founded, and Manish Malhotra is the designer who joined its mission in 2010. Listening to the two of them talk about a decade and a half of joint effort is a treat for anyone who adores craft. Their stories turned a fashion showcase into a celebration of people, and that made the night special. A celebration like this works best as the people behind it speak up, and both hosts did so warmly.
Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal Cheered the Night On
Raazi co-stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal walked the ramp together and brought plenty of smiles. Alia Bhatt wore an ivory chikankari saree and congratulated Manish Malhotra and Shabana Azmi on 15 years of Mijwan, praising them for giving the artisans a platform to showcase their talent. Vicky Kaushal said he was grateful to be a small part of this journey walking for a cause that continues to make a difference and empowers women artisans.
Mijwan has long welcomed stars to its ramp. Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor once walked hand in hand at an earlier edition of the annual fundraiser, and Deepika Padukone praised Shabana Azmi as a source of inspiration. Seeing so many familiar faces rally round a craft is a joy.
