Asees Kaur, Mithila Palkar and Malini Agarwal on Being India's Foremost #WomenInCreativity

The three faces of music and entertainment in India discuss why they value authenticity at all costs

THE PATH TO CREATIVITY IS SCARY. Who teaches you the essential skills and who nourishes the hunger to be creative? Not every home and certainly not the current educational system. To choose to be creative is to embrace uncertainty, resolve and a keen love for the process things that we as a society neither teach kids nor train teachers in.

In a climate as discouraging as this, picking the path of creativity is an act of courage. This cover story is a chronicle of three journeys that have displayed dedication and defiance in their pursuit of creative careers. Asees Kaur is a distinguished vocalist and playback singer. Her most notable songs have been "Chogada" from Loveyatri (2018), "Raatan Lambiyan" from Shershaah (2021) and "Kacchi Doriyaan" from Maja Ma (2022). Kaur is breaking ground in the Indian film industry as an artist who can sing hit playback songs as well as viral non-film music, thereby cementing a hybrid, comprehensive audience across the world.

Mithila Palkar is an actor and content creator who has made a name for herself in both the film and digital space. With her unique blend of talent and charisma, Mithila has become a fan favorite and has starred in numerous web series including Little Things and Girl in the City. Her contributions to the world of entertainment have helped to redefine the industry and have inspired a new generation of actors and creators.

Malini Agarwal is the founder of MissMalini (India's leading entertainment website) and The Good Creator Co for influencers. Over the years, she has grown MissMalini into a successful digital media platform, authored a book and become a powerful social media influencer. Agarwal is a pioneer in digital media, leveraging social media to build a loyal audience and a successful brand, making her a role model for entrepreneurs and a notable figure in today's fast-paced media industry.