Ranbir Kapoor, Jennie and Zohran Mamdani named to Time’s 100 most influential people list

NEW YORK: Actor Ranbir Kapoor, Blackpink member Jennie and New York state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani have been included in Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, according to the publication’s latest edition highlighted by Dawn.

The list, released on Wednesday, features figures from politics, entertainment, business, sports and activism. Time divides the honourees into several categories, including artists, icons, leaders, titans, pioneers and innovators.

Kapoor was named in the artists category. The Bollywood actor is known for films including Rockstar, Barfi!, Sanju and Animal. In Time’s profile accompanying his inclusion, director and producer Zoya Akhtar wrote that Kapoor’s work has been marked by emotional depth and a willingness to take on varied roles.

Akhtar said Kapoor has a rare ability to connect with audiences while continuing to evolve as a performer. She wrote that he is an actor who combines instinct with discipline, helping him remain one of the most compelling screen presences in Hindi cinema.

Jennie, a member of the South Korean group Blackpink, was also included in the artists category. Singer Dua Lipa wrote the tribute for her, describing her as someone who has continued to grow as an artist while building a strong global following.

Lipa said Jennie’s influence extends beyond music and reflects her presence in fashion and popular culture. She also praised her for the way she has shaped her own path as a performer.

Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and member of the New York State Assembly, was named in the leaders category. The tribute to him was written by US Senator Bernie Sanders, who praised Mamdani’s political approach and public engagement.

Sanders wrote that Mamdani has shown how grassroots politics can energise younger voters and working-class communities. He said Mamdani has focused on issues affecting ordinary people and has emerged as a prominent political voice.

Other names on the list

The 2025 Time 100 list also includes a wide range of internationally known figures. Among those named are US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Argentine President Javier Milei, Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, actor Scarlett Johansson, actor Ed Sheeran, gymnast Simone Biles and rapper Snoop Dogg.

The list brings together people Time considers to be shaping the world in significant ways across different fields. The publication releases short essays on each person written by peers, collaborators or other public figures. These tributes are intended to explain why each honouree was selected and what kind of impact they have had in their respective areas.

Kapoor, Jennie and Mamdani’s inclusion places them among a globally recognised group of public figures featured in one of the magazine’s most widely followed annual editions.