Karan Johar produces India's first fashion reality show

India is launching its first fashion reality show designed to introduce homegrown designers to the global stage. Backed by Bollywood personalities and major investors, the series blends creativity, business, and entertainment for audiences nationwide. Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment and hosted by Karan Johar, the show features investors like Akshay Kumar and Navin Jindal.

For years, Indian fashion has been seen as exclusive and out of reach for designers from smaller towns. This new show aims to close that gap, giving fresh talent the exposure they need. Sanjay Nigam, Founder of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund, explains, "There is a huge gap. Youngsters are coming up with good, fresh designs, and they have the capability to become global brands. We are giving them fuel and showing their work to the world because the show is going to release globally."

The show follows a 'Local to Global' approach, helping designers gain retail strength through a growing network and bringing attention through fashion weeks, awards, and now, a widely broadcast series. Nigam adds, "We are creating international-level designs using Indian fabrics and craftsmanship. You can go to Shahpur Jat and find



mind-blowing designers, but nobody recognises them. The motive behind the show is to promote them globally."

Viewers will see the challenges of the fashion industry, from tight deadlines to the pressure of securing funding. The series follows 14 founders as they compete for a funding pool of 40 crore, showing both their collections and entrepreneurial skills across eight episodes.

The marquee project has heavyweight investors such as Akshay Kumar and Navin Jindal, and has roped in a galaxy of stars – from Saif Ali Khan and Malaika Arora in the premiere, to Ananya Panday, Shibani Akhtar, Manish Malhotra, Sara Ali Khan, Tiger Shroff, Manushi Chhillar and more – making each episode a star-studded spectacle.

With India's fashion industry projected to grow rapidly, industry observers see this series as well-timed. They believe it will build a crucial bridge between the booming market and untapped creative talent.

By highlighting the struggles and successes of its contestants, the show promises to open opportunities for aspiring designers. For many, this marks a step toward making India’s fashion scene more inclusive and accessible.