When someone from the city excels in their respective fields and represents India globally, all Kolkatans feel a sense of pride. The path marked by stepping stones from beginnings and opportunities in Kolkata to making it on an international platform — these are journeys worth following.
This Independence Day, My Kolkata lists some faces from Kolkata who have put India on the map by excelling in their fields and representing their country in front of an international audience.
Anasuya Sengupta at Cannes
Anasuya Sengupta’s story is the success story of the girl-next-door. In the early 2000s, the actress was an English literature graduate from Jadavpur University, with dreams of pursuing journalism. But fate had different plans for this Lake Gardens girl. Fast forward to 2024, and Anasuya has become the first Indian actress to win the Best Actress Award in the Un Certain Regard category at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where she captivated audiences with her lead role in Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov's The Shameless. The film, which explores the dark realities of the devadasi system, showcases Anasuya as Renuka, a woman navigating the harsh world of sex work in northern India. Anasuya’s journey from being a production designer in Mumbai in 2013 to becoming an award-winning actress in a noir thriller shows her remarkable talent and determination. Despite many challenges, her role as Renuka has gained international recognition, marking an important moment in Indian cinema.
Anush Agarwalla at the 2023 Asian Games and 2024 Olympics
Anush Agarwalla, a young equestrian from Kolkata, made history as part of the Indian dressage team that won gold at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China — the first gold in 41 years for India in this event. Anush, an alumnus of La Martiniere for Boys, scored the highest among his teammates, leading India to victory over China and Hong Kong.
Starting his journey at just seven years old, Anush has trained under Olympian Hubertus Schmidt in Germany from age 17. At 24, he not only secured a spot in history but also became the first Indian to compete in dressage at the Paris Olympics, showcasing his dedication and talent on the world stage. Although he did not make it to the medal round this year, given his dedication, we do believe it is not a distant dream for the star.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee at the Met Gala
Kolkata boy Sabyasachi Mukherjee has been shining on the world fashion stage for a while now. In 2023, he achieved another milestone taking Bengal’s shola work to the royal halls of London. For the Animal Ball 2023 in London on June 28, King Charles III and Queen Camilla wore shola masks designed by artists from the Sabyasachi Art Foundation and the craftspeople of Bengal.
In 2024, he made history at the Met Gala 2024, as the first Indian fashion designer to walk the red carpet at the Met Gala, marking a significant milestone for Indian fashion on the global stage. Wearing an ensemble from his own Resort 2024 collection, Sabyasachi combined traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern elegance. His embroidered cotton duster coat, adorned with tourmalines, pearls, emeralds, and diamonds from his jewellery collection, paid homage to India’s artistic heritage. Sabyasachi's appearance, complete with layered necklaces and a modern twist of sunglasses with pink-tinted lenses, showcased the global appeal of Indian fashion and craftsmanship, inspiring greater recognition for Indian designers worldwide.
Roni Mazumdar and Sreoshy Banerjea in NYC
Roni Mazumdar and Sreoshy Banerjea are a powerhouse couple making Kolkata and India proud with their remarkable contributions to New York City. Roni, the restaurateur behind the Michelin-starred Semma along with several other restaurants including Dhamaka and Adda, is revolutionising Indian cuisine in NYC, ensuring it is celebrated for its authenticity. Meanwhile, Sreoshy, as the executive director of the NYC Public Design Commission, is leading transformative urban projects that enhance the city’s landscape with inclusivity and innovation. Together, they are not only elevating the cultural and urban fabric of New York but also shining a spotlight on the rich heritage of India. They are not just reshaping the city’s taste buds and skylines but also setting an example of how a partnership built on mutual respect and shared values can lead to remarkable achievements. #CoupleGoals, indeed.
Chef Sujan Sarkar’s Indienne in Chicago
Bengali food in Chicago, and that too Michelin-star quality. It can’t get bigger than that! Sujan Sarkar, a renowned chef hailing from Kalyani, West Bengal, has brought immense pride to India by becoming the first Bengali from India chef to earn a Michelin star for his restaurant, Indienne, in Chicago. This achievement marks a historic moment as Indienne is also the first Indian restaurant in the city to receive this prestigious accolade. Sarkar, who co-owns Indienne, has redefined Indian cuisine by blending traditional flavours with contemporary techniques, creating a dining experience that resonates globally. His success with Indienne is part of a broader culinary journey that includes acclaimed ventures like Baar Baar in New York and Los Angeles, where he continues to push the boundaries of Indian gastronomy. Sarkar’s work not only showcases the rich culinary heritage of India but also positions him as a trailblazer in the global food scene, making him a true ambassador of Indian cuisine on the world stage.
DJ Roop at Tomorrowland
For some it has been a lifelong dream to attend Tomorrowland, for many DJs, it has been the goal to play there. But Kaushik Das aka DJ Roop from Kolkata has in a way two-birds-one-stoned this situation by being the first person in eastern India to perform at the prestigious festival this year. Taking charge of the RISE stage in the festival, Kaushik’s main goal was to support Indian producers by playing their original songs. Donned in an Indo-western look, parading the Indian flag, the DJ played tracks with English vocals, so the crowd could connect, accompanied with Indian and ethnic essence. The performer is a volunteer teacher at the Tomorrowland Music and Arts School in the city who was flown out by Tomorrowland to perform at the festival alongside his idols. This was the first time he had ever left the city, and boy did he represent India the way he knows best.
