Cosmopolitan Blogger & Creator Awards 2026: Wins You Need To Know

What Were the Cosmopolitan Blogger & Creator Awards ’25–’26?

The 8th edition of the Cosmopolitan Blogger & Creator Awards (CBCA) ’25–’26 was held in early 2026 at The Lalit Mumbai, recognising India’s most influential content creators across fashion, beauty, comedy, travel, lifestyle, podcasts and emerging digital culture. Positioned as a reimagined, future-forward celebration, the awards marked not just winners but a broader shift in how India views creators not as hobbyists, but as cultural architects.

A Pink Carpet That Reflected a Changing Industry

From statement silhouettes to sharply detailed styling, the evening saw fashion take centre stage. Creators like Aastha Shah (@aasthashah97), Scherezade Shroff (@sherryshroff), Rida Tharana (@rida.tharanaa) and Subiksha Shivakumar (@subikshashivakumar) arrived with distinct personal aesthetics.

There may not have been a “Best Dressed” trophy officially, but conversations around the pink carpet made it clear, creators are no longer just content producers; they are fashion commentators and trend-setters in their own right.

The awards reflected what the Indian creator economy now looks like: confident, layered and deeply self-authored.

Popular Choice Winners: The Audience Vote

The Popular Choice categories were decided after nominations and audience votes. The winners included:

• Breakout Influencer of the Year: Maroof Umar (@maroofculmen)
• Fashion Influencer of the Year: Agou Sitlhou (@a_g_o_u)
• Luxury Fashion Influencer of the Year: Sakshi Sindwani (@sakshisindwani)
• Couple Content Creator of the Year: Mridul & Aditya (@mridulandaditya)
• Travel Influencer of the Year: Brinda Sharma (@brindasharma)

In beauty and lifestyle:

• Beauty Influencer of the Year: Ankush Bahuguna (@ankushbahuguna)
• Makeup Artist of the Year: Sahithya Shetty (@sahithya.shetty)
• Comic Content Creator of the Year: Abhijeet Kain (@abhijeetkain)
• Lifestyle Influencer of the Year: Deepika Venkatachalam (@deepika_v__)
• Podcaster of the Year: Figuring Out With Raj Shamani (@rajshamani)

In self-expression and wellness:

• Self-Love Influencer of the Year: Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar (@thechubbytwirler)
• Breakout Model of the Year: Subiksha Shivakumar (@subikshashivakumar)
• Dermatologist of the Year: Dr Madhuri Agarwal (@dr_madhuriagarwal)
• Fitness and Wellness Influencer of the Year: Akshada Patil (@overlydaa)

These categories reflect how diverse the creator economy has become, spanning medical professionals, athletes, podcasters and comedians.

Editors’ Choice & Special Honours

Beyond public voting, editorial panels selected creators who demonstrated consistent impact.

Editors’ Choice Winners:

• Beauty Influencer of the Year: Prableen Kaur Bhomrah (@prableenkaurbhomrah)
• Fashion Influencer of the Year: Prerna Massey (@prernamasseyy)
• Lifestyle Influencer of the Year: Aastha Shah (@aasthashah97)
• The Tastemaker Award: Rida Tharana (@rida.tharanaa)

Editors’ Special Awards:

• Fearless Internet Energy: Darshan Magdum (@darshanmagdum)
• Game Changer Stylist of the Year: Shweta Sharma (@shwetabetty)
• Breakout Star of the Year: Daia Lamare (@rebleofficial)
• Creator Impact Award: Dolly Singh (@dollysingh)
• Power Performer of the Year: Vishal Jethwa (@vishaljethwa06)
• Gen Z Icon Award: Music: Param (@paramsworld)
• Gen Z Icon Award: Sports: Jyothi Yarraji (@jyothi_yarraji_)

The inclusion of athletes like Jyothi Yarraji signals how sport and digital storytelling now intersect in meaningful ways.

30 Years of Cosmopolitan in India

At the event, Kalli Purie (@kallipurie), Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group, reflected on Cosmopolitan’s three decades in India during a conversation with editor Snigdha Ahuja (@snigdha.ahuja).

She spoke about meeting Gen Z where they are and navigating a filtered digital world. She also noted that the awards were “ahead of the curve,” having originated in the blogger era, long before the term “creator economy” became mainstream.

The subtext was clear: platforms that adapted early are now witnessing the compounding effect.

India’s creator ecosystem has grown rapidly over the past decade. According to industry reports by firms like EY and BCG, the Indian creator economy is projected to reach multi-billion-dollar valuations within the next few years.

Creators such as:

• Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps) — long-form podcast ecosystem
• Kusha Kapila — digital-to-mainstream crossover
• Dolly Singh — fashion, satire, brand ambassador roles
• Ankush Bahuguna — beauty inclusivity and gender-fluid makeup storytelling
• Raj Shamani — entrepreneurship-to-podcast IP expansion

demonstrate that influence now spans platforms, formats, and revenue models.

What is the Cosmopolitan Blogger & Creator Awards 2026?

The Cosmopolitan Blogger & Creator Awards ’25–’26 (CBCA 2026) is India’s 8th annual event recognising top digital creators across fashion, beauty, comedy, travel, fitness, podcasts, and emerging cultural influence.

Where was CBCA 2026 held?

The awards were held in early 2026 at The Lalit Mumbai.

Who won Popular Choice awards at CBCA 2026?

Winners included Maroof Umar, Agou Sitlhou, Sakshi Sindwani, Ankush Bahuguna, Raj Shamani, Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar, and more across categories.

Why are creator awards important?

They reflect the growing influence of India’s creator economy, which now shapes fashion trends, consumer behavior, cultural conversations, and digital entrepreneurship.