Ranbir Kapoor is the only actor from India this year who has been featured in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list. Other Indian representatives on the list are Google CEO Sundar Pichai and chef Vikas Khanna. The list covers celebrities from different walks of life, including arts, cinema, politics and sports.

Ranbir’s profile for the list was penned by actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Talking about how Ranbir’s success and legacy go beyond box office report cards, Ayushmann wrote, “There are actors who chase legacy and there are actors who become one through their craft. Ranbir Kapoor is the latter. In an industry as prolific and passionate as Indian cinema, we often measure greatness in decibels—box-office numbers, fan frenzy, opening weekends. But every once in a while, an actor shifts something quieter yet far more enduring: our emotional vocabulary as an audience.”

He also mentioned how Ranbir “internalised” performance is showing Indian culture in a new light. “Ranbir has been doing that film after film. In a world where performances are often amplified, Ranbir internalizes. He shows our culture through quiet restraint. He represents the India that is finally learning how to listen to itself and leaves a mark through simple authenticity. Globally, actors like Ranbir become important cultural bridges. He embodies an India that is evolving not just in scale but also in sensitivity.”

“Our cinema is influencing the world. Ranbir isn’t just a movie star—he’s a storyteller talking to a global audience and telling them stories of a fabled, mythical country where epics like The Ramayana have inspired other civilizations and cultures,” Ayushmann added.

On the work front, Ranbir will next be seen in Nitesh Tiwari directorial Ramayana Part 1. The film also features Sai Pallavi and Yash in pivotal roles.