The energy was electric, the applause thunderous, and the sentiment unanimous — the future of the experiential industry is in capable, creative hands. On Day 1 of the 16th edition of WOW Awards Asia 2025, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the spotlight turned to the rising stars as EVENTFAQS Media unveiled the highly anticipated ET Panache 35 Under 35 Magazine.
A celebration of ambition, innovation, and leadership, the launch recognised 35 exceptional young achievers under the age of 35 who are not just part of the industry’s future — they are actively building it. From wedding décor to tech-driven storytelling, brand engagement to immersive experience design, this cohort is pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks.
Hosted with charm and flair by actor and host Pavleen Gujral, the ceremony was brought to life by a powerhouse of presenters such as Vinod Janardhan, Managing Director, Team Rustic; Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, Shobiz Experiential Communications; and Sumit Gandhi, Chairman & MD, ABEC Exhibitions & Conferences Pvt. Ltd.
Each awardee was celebrated not only for their business acumen but also for their creativity, grit, and fresh approach to client experiences. Whether it was scaling wedding empires, driving tech innovations, or redefining event aesthetics, their stories reflected vision and fearlessness.
The 35 honourees featured in the ET Panache 35 Under 35 Magazine included:
- Aakash Doshi – Zesst Events and Weddings
- Abhinav Tanwar – Eva Live
- Adee Bhatewara – Lotus Events and Productions
- Anant Khandelwal – IWP – Indian Wedding Planners
- Ashique P – Marrygold WCE
- Ashish Bohra – Perfexion Events
- Avi Agrawal – The Shaadi Makers
- Damodar Sharma – Ziel Experiences
- Darshesh Shah – The Wedding Desi
- Dibya Ranjan Jena – Bold Marker Pvt. Ltd
- Girish Chawla – Hosting Hive Entertainment
- Harshit Bansal – Tagglabs
- Harssh Sukhani – Koncepts Weddings & Events
- Himanshu Kumawat – Aayat The Design Studio
- Jasmi Vyas – Aayat The Design Studio
- Karan Doshi – The Wedding Desi
- Kaushik Vijay Alva – Capital Group
- Manthan Thakkar – Mahatva Events
- Mark Rodrigues – Crafting Memories
- Megha Beria – Megha Beria Designs
- Nidhi Shah – Design Jockeys
- Parul Mundra – Tarashna
- Pooja Doshi – Elusive Dreams
- Preksha Choksi – Creative Witty & The White Flea
- Priyanshu Bhargava – Gaatha
- Rishab Agarwal – Royal Reelz
- Rohit Chheda – Event Soul LLP
- Rupali Lohiya – Taxi Design Studio
- Sabareesh Sankar Panangat – SDS Studio
- Sahil Shah – The Wed Fam / BigShots Events & Productions
- Sammir Sonni – Golden Chariot
- Sheen Kundu – Ebix Travels Pvt.
- Umang Narvekar – Tamannaz Worldwide / T-House Productions
- Virat Luhar – Evara Weddings
- Zawedd Alii – A2Z Events and Weddings
Each name on the list represented a powerful story of transitions, of calculated risks, and of crafting excellence in an ever-evolving industry. From former engineers and bankers to visual artists and tech disruptors, the honourees are united by one thing: a drive to deliver unforgettable experiences.
With the launch of ET Panache 35 Under 35, WOW didn’t just honour individuals. It honoured a mindset — one that dares, delivers, and defines what’s next.
