the spicy noodle list
"Welcome to Cosmo's curation of the hottest names to know right now. The names on the following pages are all Spicy Noodles—they're delicious, but more importantly, they're on fire because of what they do and who they are. These are India’s most noteworthy creators and personalities—the path-breakers, impact-makers, and the names that both influence and inspire.
Cosmo's Spicy Noodle List finalists are all fearless and talented, and are making their mark across categories and industries—art, music, literature, lifestyle, society, the environment, and more. These are the ones to watch… these are the Spicy Noodles!"
—Nandini Bhalla, Editor, Cosmopolitan
ARJUN MATHUR
ACTOR
“I consider myself a bit of an activist. I feel strongly all the time… about everything! I try to raise my voice against and create awareness about things in my own way, in my capacity. But officially, I am an ambassador for the Responsible Tourism Society of India and a cause ambassador for an initiative by MTV along with a foundation called Organ Daan. I believe if we have a platform to use our voice, it’s our responsibility to speak up. I think it’s a privilege for an actor to actually be able make a difference. It’s really what an artist dreams of—to actually touch a life. And I feel Made In Heaven has made that kind of difference [Arjun plays the role of a gay wedding planner in the show]. I have had so many people come up to me and say they were able to come out to their families or colleagues, or they have been able to accept a queer family member because of the show.
So I believe that my work has made a difference.
I think my individuality makes me a Spicy Noodle. I don’t actually like to do anything that I am told—I have a problem with institutional authority. There is a rebellious streak that I just can’t put aside. Also, the fact that I have been a bit of an underdog…and I love underdog stories! My biggest achievement is the Emmy nomination (for Best Performance By An Actor) that just arrived. Never before have I had the opportunity to make my country proud. But I like to keep my expectations tempered because high expectations often lead to disappointment. I do hope bigger and better offers come my way… at the end of the day, every actor is hoping for that.”
SAKSHI SHIVDASANI
CONTENT CREATOR
“I make humorous videos on Instagram, and if my dad is reading this: yes, that’s a real job! I've had a lot of younger girls tell me that I’ve been able to put into words a lot of things that they feel or think…and that’s always my favourite thing to hear about my work! I’ve always been really observant of people, and take inspiration from them for my work, too—I find content from the lives of those around me (which is actually just a polite way of saying that I exploit my friends for content!). I’m a people’s person, and the idea of entertaining people excites me! I believe in the phrase, ‘Don’t take yourself too seriously’. I think as long as I’m in a chill headspace, I’m going to be fine!
I find Kim Kardashian West very inspiring. Everyone made fun of her earlier, and today she’s one of the most successful businesswomen in the world! As for myself, I have so much to achieve…my desire to achieve my goals surpasses all other fears. I’m sassy—I love ‘burning people’ with my comebacks. I’m also quite fiesty, and my sense of humour is not for the faint-hearted.”
JASON ARLAND
ACTOR AND MODEL
“I’ve been performing on stage since I was five years old, and I’ve been a part of the fashion and entertainment industry for a decade now… So dressing up and doing 'glam' has been a constant part of my journey. I like bringing everything I know and love—fashion, music, and make-up—together to create art. When I started playing with make-up and fashion, just out of my love for creativity and expression, I realised how many dos and don’ts society had for me. And that’s when I made a conscious decision to be a rebel, and not conform to set ideals to please others. I wanted to show the world how you can love yourself and live your truth without being affected.
I think I am known to be that person who goes around breaking gender roles and stereotypes. And I believe in being a brand new version of me every day. Although, it’s funny how people care about what goes on someone else’s body, I quite enjoy the attention and the dialogue it sparks. I am still learning about myself and,
