{{Short description|Indian social media personality}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{COI|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox social media personality | name = Kusha Kapila | image = Kusha Kapila snapped at the red carpet of ET Inspiring Women Leaders Conclave And Awards 2025 (cropped).jpg | caption = Kapila in 2025 | birth_date = | birth_place = New Delhi, India | alma_mater = IP College <br /> NIFT | occupation = {{hlist|Social media personality|comedian|actress}} | years_active = 2013–present | notable_works = ''Comicstaan''<br/>''Sukhee''<br/>''Thank You for Coming'' | spouse = {{marriage |Zorawar Singh Ahluwalia |2017|2023}} | youtube_id = UCj_eYKbmUXvsbDssD3pQBXA | youtube_display_name = Kusha Kapila
| youtube_years_active = | youtube_genre = {{flatlist| * Comedy}} | youtube_subscribers = 1.38 million<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> | youtube_views = 675 million<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> | stats_update = 18 November 2024{{nu|date=October 2025}} }} '''Kusha Kapila''' is an Indian social media personality, comedian, and actress from New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kakkar |first=Parul |date=17 August 2018 |title=Kusha Kapila {{!}} The Swaggy Cat |url=https://www.newshour.press/entertainment/kusha-kapila-swaggy-cat/ |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Newshour Press}}</ref>
== Personal life == Kusha Kapila was born in New Delhi into a Punjabi family.<ref>{{Cite Instagram |last=Kapila |first=Kusha |user=kushakapila |postid=Bd-JsH8nzsF |date=15 January 2018 |title=Meet me – your token Punjabi girl, born with a unibrow and tortured by a premature moustache. |access-date=1 June 2024 |link=https://www.instagram.com/kushakapila/p/Bd-JsH8nzsF/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240601055425/https://www.instagram.com/kushakapila/p/Bd-JsH8nzsF/ |archive-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>
She married Zorawar Singh Ahluwalia, a former employee at Diageo in 2017.{{cn|date=March 2025}} On 26 June 2023, she announced their separation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2023 |title=Kusha Kapila announces divorce from Zorawar Ahluwalia |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/kusha-kapila-announces-divorce-from-zorawar-ahluwalia-masaba-masaba-star-says-gave-it-all-8179813.html |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2023 |title=Kusha Kapila announces separation from husband Zorawar Ahluwalia: 'We gave it our all until we couldn't anymore' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/kusha-kapila-announces-separation-from-husband-zorawar-ahluwalia-8687450/ |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
== Career == After graduation from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in fashion design, she worked briefly in fashion merchandising and content roles before transitioning to digital media. In 2013, she started working as a fashion correspondent for a Delhi-based clothing firm, Apparel Online.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2019 |title=What Kusha Kapila learnt from being famous on the internet |url=https://www.vogue.in/content/kusha-kapila-interview-indian-feminism-instagram-influencer |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=Vogue India}}</ref> In May of next year, she joined Razorfish Neev and started working as a copywriter.
In 2014, she made her debut with the television show ''Son of Abish'' hosted by Abish Mathew.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
In 2016, she worked for the Times Internet as a fashion editor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2020 |title=ILN Studios and Smule launch India's first digital reality show "1,2,3… Riyaaz" to give local talents a shot to fame |url=https://timesinternet.in/blog/iln-studios-smule-launch-digital-reality-show-123-riyaaz-to-give-local-talents-a-shot-to-fame/ |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Times Internet: Everything. Everyday.}}</ref> Later, she joined iDiva as a content writer head. While working for iDiva, she created and played the fictional character, Billi Masi, which became a major hit, making her an Internet sensation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2022 |title=As an influencer, when you fail you fail publicly |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/as-an-influencer-when-you-fail-you-fail-publicly-101642905959243.html |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
In 2020, she appeared in an anthology Netflix India film ''Ghost Stories''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2019 |title=Karan Johar on directing Ghost Stories: Totally out of my comfort zone |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/story/karan-johar-on-directing-ghost-stories-totally-out-of-my-comfort-zone-1623614-2019-11-29 |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=India Today}}</ref> She was also on Netflix India's YouTube show ''Behensplaining''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch: A new episode of Netflix's 'Behensplaining' reviews 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' |url=https://scroll.in/video/943838/watch-a-new-episode-of-netflixs-behensplaining-reviews-hum-aapke-hain-koun |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Scroll.in |date=17 November 2019}}</ref>
In 2021, she performed in the Amazon Prime's comedy reality show ''LOL: Hasse Toh Phasse''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2021 |title=Kusha Kapila: Don't think anyone famous should be overly celebrated for helping people |url=https://telanganatoday.com/kusha-kapila-dont-think-anyone-famous-should-be-overly-celebrated-for-helping-people |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Telangana Today}}</ref>
In 2022, she was seen in a reality sketch comedy show ''Case Toh Banta Hai'' on Amazon MiniTV.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2022 |title=Riteish Deshmukh on Case Toh Banta Hai, his bond with Varun Sharma, Kusha Kapila and more |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/riteish-deshmukh-on-case-toh-banta-hai-his-bond-with-varun-sharma-kusha-kapila-and-more-10956081.html |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Firstpost}}</ref> She also featured in the Season 2 of the Netflix TV series ''Masaba Masaba''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=27 July 2022 |title=Kusha Kapila, Rytasha Rathore & others come together with Masaba Gupta for Masaba Masaba season 2 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/kusha-kapila-rytasha-rathore-others-come-together-masaba-gupta-masaba-masaba-season-2/ |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref> She co-hosted the season 3 of ''Comicstaan.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila is all set to host Comicstaan Season 3 with Abish Mathew |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/kusha-kapila-is-all-set-to-host-comicstaan-season-3-with-abish-mathew/cid/1874505 |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=The Telegraph (India)}}</ref> She made an appearance in ''Plan A Plan B''. She also appeared as a part of jury on Season 7 of the ''Koffee with Karan''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2022 |title=Koffee with Karan Season 7 finale: Karan Johar reveals Varun Dhawan found out about his relationship by 'default', gets trolled for his Alia Bhatt obsession |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/koffee-with-karan-season-7-finale-karan-johar-relationship-alia-bhatt-obsession-kusha-kapila-danish-sait-8173564/ |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
In February 2023, she appeared in ''Minus One: New Chapter'' and ''Selfiee''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The cast of 'Minus One: New Chapter' speak about their favourite love stories and the changing idea of romance |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/hindi/ayush-mehra-and-aisha-ahmed-speak-about-minus-one-new-chapter-their-favourite-love-stories-and-the-changing-idea-of-romance-exclusive/articleshow/97924573.cms |access-date=25 February 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Selfiee Movie Star Cast - Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=24 February 2023 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/selfiee/cast/ |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref> Later that year, in September, she featured in ''Sukhee'' alongside Shilpa Shetty.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shilpa Shetty and Kusha Kapila talk about self-love in Sukhee promotional video |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/shilpa-shetty-and-kusha-kapila-talk-about-self-love-in-sukhee-promotional-video/cid/1963782 |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=The Telegraph (India)}}</ref> She also played a pivotal role in Rhea and Ekta Kapoor's ''Thank You for Coming'', which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2023 |title=Thank You For Coming first reviews from TIFF |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/thank-you-for-coming-first-reviews-tiff-bhumi-pednekar-kusha-kapila-shehnaaz-gill-anil-kapoor-101694847000551.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Later in December, she was seen in Amazon Mini TV's ''Dehati Ladke''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2023 |title=Kusha Kapila-Starrer 'Dehati Ladke' To Explore Themes Of Love, Friendship & Hardship |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/kusha-kapila-starrer-dehati-ladke-to-explore-themes-of-love-friendship-hardship-news-335882 |access-date=13 December 2023 |website=Outlook India}}</ref>
== Off-screen work == In March 2025, Kapila co-founded UnderNeat, a women’s innerwear and shapewear brand, with entrepreneurs Vimarsh Razdan and Ghazal Alagh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taparia |first=Vidhi |date=2025-04-01 |title=Kusha Kapila’s entrepreneurial leap: Influencer launches shapewear brand UnderNeat, secures big funding from Fireside Ventures, Ghazal Alagh |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/lifestyle/kusha-kapilas-entrepreneurial-leap-influencer-launches-shapewear-brand-underneat-secures-big-funding-from-fireside-ventures-ghazal-alagh/121515 |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Fortune India |language=en}}</ref> The brand was launched following a month-long content campaign titled "What Are You Wearing Under?", which built community engagement and trust ahead of the official launch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila Ventures Into Entrepreneurship With Her New Shapewear Label |url=https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/kusha-kapila-ventures-into-entrepreneurship-with-her-new-shapewear-label-9282667.html |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
== Media == In 2019, Kusha Kapila featured on the cover of ''Harper's Bazaar'' India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harper's Bazaar India captures the beauty in all its forms through the lens of the OnePlus 7T Pro |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/harpers-bazaar-india-captures-the-beauty-in-all-its-forms-through-the-lens-of-the-oneplus-7t-pro20191113193444/ |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=ANI News}}</ref>
In 2021, Kapila featured in ''Hindustan Times'' HT Brunch cover story.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2021 |title=HT Brunch Cover Story: Slay it with a smile with Kusha Kapila and Dolly Singh |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/brunch/ht-brunch-cover-story-slay-it-with-a-smile-with-kusha-kapila-and-dolly-singh-101610790911373.html |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
In 2022, she featured on the cover of ''Cosmopolitan''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title='I was diagnosed with high-functioning depression and ADD' - Kusha Kapila |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.in/celebrity/features/a27720/i-was-diagnosed-high-functioning-depression-and-add-kusha-kapila |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=Cosmopolitan India}}</ref> In the same year, she was listed in ''Forbes'' India's W-Power list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila: Influencer Next Door |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/leadership/kusha-kapila-influencer-next-door/81843/1 |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=Forbes India}}</ref>
In 2024, she was interviewed by ''The Lallantop'', where she opened up about her personal life and her journey to fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila On Divorce From Zorawar Singh Ahluwalia: "I Became A Big Villain" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kusha-kapila-on-divorce-from-zorawar-singh-ahluwalia-i-became-a-big-villain-5025138 |access-date=2 March 2024 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
In 2026, she was featured in ''GQ India''<nowiki/>'s list of "Most Influential Young Indians of 2026".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Sanjana |date=2026-04-23 |title=Meet GQ's Most Influential Young Indians of 2026 |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/meet-gqs-most-influential-young-indians-of-2026 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref>
== Filmography ==
=== Films === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes !Ref. |- |2020 |''Ghost Stories'' |Misha |Karan Johar's segment |<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Prajakta Koli to Kusha Kapila, influencers are going mainstream in Bollywood |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/from-prajakta-kohli-to-kusha-kapila-influencers-are-going-mainstream-in-bollywood-54679.html |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=filmfare.com}}</ref> |- |2022 |''Plan A Plan B'' |Seema |Released on Netflix |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plan A Plan B Review: Far Less Intelligent Than It Thinks It Is |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/plan-a-plan-b-review-far-less-intelligent-than-it-thinks-it-is-2-stars-3394334 |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> |- |rowspan="3"|2023 |''Selfiee'' |Tara | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2023 |title=Selfiee movie review: Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi film is not even trying to be more than it is |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/selfiee-movie-review-akshay-kumar-emraan-hashmi-not-even-trying-8463670/ |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> |- | ''Sukhee'' | Meher Chhibber | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila: Sukhee Could Possibly Be The Career-Defining Film For Me |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/kusha-kapila-sukhee-could-possibly-be-the-career-defining-film-for-me |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=Free Press Journal}}</ref> |- |''Thank You for Coming'' | Neha "The Queen" | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title='Thank You For Coming': Bhumi Pednekar, Kusha Kapila Star in Rhea Kapoor's Next |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/thank-you-for-coming-bhumi-pednekar-kusha-kapila-star-in-rhea-kapoors-next |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=The Quint}}</ref> |- |2024 |''Ishq Vishk Rebound'' |Film producer | |<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 June 2024 |title='Ishq Vishk Rebound' movie: struggle in cosmetic rom-com |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ishq-vishk-rebound-movie-review-rohit-saraf-pashmina-roshan-struggle-in-cosmetic-rom-com/article68316287.ece |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2025 |''Vyarth'' |Bhumi |Short film |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila Adds A New Feather To Her Cap As A Co-Producer For Vyarth |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/kusha-kapila-adds-a-new-feather-to-her-cap-as-a-co-producer-for-vyarth-9434791.html |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kusha Kapila Tackles Typecasting With Powerful New Short Film |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bollywood/vyarth-trailer-out-kusha-kapila-tackles-typecasting-with-powerful-new-short-film-2932675.html |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref> |- |''Saali Mohabbat'' |Diya |Released on ZEE5 | |- |}
=== Web series === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes !Ref. |- |2014 |''Son of Abish'' | rowspan="2" |Herself | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2022 |title=Kusha Kapila recalls getting flak for entering 'sacred' comic space with Comicstaan, being called 'unfunny girl' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/kusha-kapila-abish-mathew-aadar-malik-interview-for-comicstaan-101657761016187.html |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> |- |2021 |''LOL: Hasse Toh Phasse'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2021 |title=LOL Hasse Toh Phasse: Sunil Grover, Kusha Kapila, Cyrus Broacha and others battle it out in this promising version of Bigg Boss. Watch |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/lol-hasse-toh-phasse-sunil-grover-kusha-kapila-cyrus-broacha-and-others-battle-it-out-in-this-hilarious-promising-version-of-bigg-boss-watch-7281481/ |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2022 |''Comicstaan'' |Host |Season 3 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2022 |title=Kusha Kapila on Comicstaan: I thought I will be hosting with a make believe audience |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/web-series/article/exclusive-kusha-kapila-on-comicstaan-i-thought-i-will-be-hosting-with-a-make-believe-audience-23236545 |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=Mid-day}}</ref> |- |''Masaba Masaba'' |Nicole |Season 2 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2022 |title=Kusha Kapila, Rytasha Rathore & others come together with Masaba Gupta for Masaba Masaba season 2 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/kusha-kapila-rytasha-rathore-others-come-together-masaba-gupta-masaba-masaba-season-2/ |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref> |- |''Case Toh Banta Hai'' |Judge | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2022 |title=Case Toh Banta Hai trailer: Celebrities face hilarious accusations |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/case-toh-banta-hai-trailer-riteish-deshmukh-karan-johar-kareena-kapoor-sara-ali-khan-8036547/ |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2023 |''Minus One: New Chapter'' |Nayantara | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2023 |title=Kusha Kapila Says She Became A Social Media Sensation By Accident |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/kusha-kapila-says-she-became-a-social-media-sensation-by-accident-news-261823 |access-date=25 February 2023 |website=Outlook India}}</ref> |- |''Social Currency'' |Herself |Episode 5 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Social Currency {{!}} Netflix Official Site |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81312464 |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=www.netflix.com}}</ref> |- |''Dehati Ladke'' |Chaya | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2023 |title='Sukhee' fame Kusha Kapila gets candid about playing "modern and liberal woman" in her next project |url=https://theprint.in/feature/sukhee-fame-kusha-kapila-gets-candid-about-playing-modern-and-liberal-woman-in-her-next-project/1881518/ |access-date=13 December 2023 |website=ThePrint}}</ref> |- |2024 |''Life Hill Gayi'' |Kalki | |<ref>{{cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Sanghamitra |title=Life Hill Gayi trailer: Divyenndu and Kusha Kapila play siblings vying for inheritance in comedy series |website=The Telegraph (India) |date=19 July 2024 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/life-hill-gayi-trailer-divyenndu-and-kusha-kapila-play-siblings-vying-for-inheritance-in-comedy-series/cid/2034798 |access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> |- |2026 |''Maamla Legal Hai'' |Adv. Naina Arora |Season 2 | |- |}
=== Music video appearances === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Singer !Ref. |- |2023 |"O Piya" |Prateek Kuhad |<ref>{{Citation |title=Prateek Kuhad - O Piya (Official Music Video) |date=18 December 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8uHux0XuYA |access-date=20 December 2023}}</ref> |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Work !Result !Ref. |- | 2022 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actress – Comedy Series (OTT) |''Case Toh Banta Hai'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=ITA2022 Nominees |url=https://indiantelevisionacademy.com/jury-top-5/ |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=theita2021.com}}</ref> |- |2023 |Bollywood Hungama Style Icons |Most Stylish Digital Entertainer (Female) |{{NA}} |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complete List of Winners of Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/style-icons/winners.php |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref> |- |2024 |Filmfare OTT Awards |Best Supporting Actor in a Series (Female): Drama |''Dehati Ladke'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 Nominations |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2024/vote#157 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Filmfare}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Kusha Kapila}} * {{IMDb name|10283728}} * {{YouTube|c=channel/UCj_eYKbmUXvsbDssD3pQBXA}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Internet|India}}
Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Fashion editors Category:Punjabi women Category:Indian women comedians Category:Indian film actresses Category:Indian web series actresses Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema Category:21st-century Indian actresses Category:Indian comedy YouTubers Category:YouTube channels launched in 2011