Opening the Show, Owning the Moment: Aishwarya Sushmita On Walking For Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla- EXCLUSIVE

Aishwarya Sushmita has been steadily making her mark not just on the runway but also on screen, and her most recent appearance at the Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla fashion show is proof that the fashion world continues to have unwavering faith in her. The talented model-turned-actor opened the show for the iconic designer duo, making it a moment of both personal pride and professional validation.

"Opening a show is always special because you're the very first energy the audience sees, and all eyes are on you," she shares. "Opening for Abu Jani Sandeep Kholsa felt even more meaningful. Their designs aren't just garments, they recite stories of love in all its forms, beyond gender or boundaries."

Known for their grandeur, drama, and storytelling through couture, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla have shaped Indian fashion for decades and continue to redefine beauty, identity and inclusivity in the industry. For Aishwarya, walking for them was more than a ramp moment, it was an artistic experience. "As an artist, it's an honour to represent a theme so powerful," she says.

Calling the designer duo "legends and wonderful people," she fondly adds, "They have shaped Indian fashion for decades, and their faith in me will always hold a very special place in my heart."

Aishwarya, who made her acting debut in Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story, has since appeared in notable projects like Runway 34 and Netflix's Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, and most recently won praise for her gritty turn as Kiki, a complicated con artist, in the Disney+ Hotstar crime thriller Bad Cop. Despite her growing acting career, she says that fashion will always remain the foundation of her journey: "Fashion has been the foundation of my journey, and even as I grow as an actor, walking for designers who believe in me, along with choreographers like Anu Ahuja and Aparna Bahl, fills me with immense pride." She credits the fashion fraternity for playing a pivotal role in her growth and expression. "When the fashion fraternity trusts you, you just want to give it your best and make every show a success," she says.

There's a sense of gratitude and grounding in her words. Even as she expands her horizons on screen, Aishwarya clearly sees the runway as more than a platform it's a space of expression, evolution and identity.

And with fashion storytellers like Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla choosing her to open their show, it's clear she is exactly where she's meant to be at the intersection of art, elegance and emotion.