Actor and Singer, Sushant Divgikar, profoundly known as Rani Ko-HE-Nur bejeweled the stage of Lakme Fashion Week as she opened the show for Mohit Rai’s Label ITRH with a LIVE performance.
Changing the dynamics has become synonymous to Sushant Divgikar aka Rani Ko-HE-Nur as the Artiste (Actor and Singer) has been crowning victories one after another. The ramp of Lakme Fashion Week witnessed another feather being added to Rani’s crown as she conquered the runway opening the show with a live performance for Mohit Rai’s Label ITRH.
The new-age designer, Mohit Rai who has styled international stars like Paris Hilton, and Ed Westwick, and Indian celebrities like Madhuri Dixit, Kiara Advani, Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday and others, found muse in Rani Ko-HE-Nur as she opened the show for him with an electrifying power packed performance on the song, ‘Mayya Mayya’.
As a show opener for ITRH’s latest collection ANKH which is an amalgamation of ancient Egypt with Indian Allure, Rani wore a statement sheer corset golden gown with centre slit gathered right at the torso. Accentuating her glimmery look was a gem stones studded choker set, and sheer glitter gloves draping around her arms adding the feminine touch as a tribute to the Egyptian Gods.
Commenting on her experience of opening the show for Mohit Rai with a Live Performance, Rani Ko-HE-Nur said, “It is the first time I am walking for ITRH but this is not the first time I am wearing ITRH. I have worn the label many times. Mohit is a dear friend, he has, in fact, given me outfits for one of the first times I performed Internationally on the world stage for RuPaul’s DragCon. He had created the neon green saree which was basically in the first month his brand had launched. This is a beautiful collaboration and it’s my full circle moment that I started wearing his outfits and now I actually walked for him and opened the show.”
On working with Rani, designer Mohit Rai said, “Sushant is a friend of the brand as our association run from the time we had started the label. Rani is a mega talent powerhouse with phenomenal vocals so we were sure to have her open the show with a powerful performance. And when it comes to outfits, Rani is a true queen as she always slays a look. So with Rani onboard, we got a total package who would not only do justice to our collection but also add the right oomph to the aura of the show.”
With her successful debut in Indian Cinema with the 2023 film, ‘Thank You For Coming’ Rani Ko-HE-Nur broke barriers by marking this as India’s first film to cast a real trans person, not just an actor. Trained under the renowned veteran singer, Usha Uthup, Rani is a versatile singer blessed with two voices- male and female. Acing in the music realm with her spectacular singles like ‘Diamond’, ‘Love is Love’, ‘Pari Hoon Mein’, Rani got the opportunity to headline many government-led events. She also sang the National Purple Anthem, titled “Dhumal,” written by Javed Akhtar in partnership with the Government of Goa which premiered at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
About Sushant Divgikar aka Rani Ko-HE-Nur:
Entering the entertainment industry as a trans individual, and revolutionizing queer representation in Indian cinema, Sushant Divgikar aka Rani Ko-HE-Nur has established herself as a prominent Artiste (Actor and Singer) with a staggering 2.8 million strong follower base.
From voicing a character in Marvel’s Wastelanders: Star Lord- a podcast series along with actors like Saif Ali Khan and Vrajesh Hirjee, showcasing international inclusivity in the year 2023 to creating history in 2022 for becoming the only Indian Drag Artiste/Queen to represent India on one of the biggest world stages for Drag Performers, RuPaul’s Drag Con, an annual event of the culture that celebrates the art of drag, and queer culture, Sushant has truly been an icon of the LGBTQIA+ Community.
Apart from honoring her work for the trans community of India, in February 2023, Sushant also launched her foundation YANA (You Are Not Alone) to bring a radical social change and support queer people in terms of providing them with education, career opportunities, or free mental healthcare services. Her journey from Sushant to Rani Ko-HE-Nur is a powerful statement for LGBTQIA+ identity and acceptance in India.
