Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 23:48 IST
The annual TIME100 list honours global changemakers, with Pichai, Kapoor and Khanna featured for their impact across tech, entertainment and food.
Pichai, Kapoor and Khanna make the TIME100 list, recognised for their global influence across AI, cinema and cuisine. (IMAGE: PTI/REUTERS)
TIME magazine on Wednesday released its 2026 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, featuring prominent Indian personalities including Sundar Pichai, Ranbir Kapoor and Vikas Khanna.
The annual TIME100 list recognises individuals across sectors such as entertainment, technology, finance, sports, activism and academia for their global impact.
Why They Were NamedSundar Pichai
Andrew Ng, who wrote Pichai’s profile, credited him with bringing artificial intelligence to billions of users through Google’s products. Since becoming CEO in 2015, Pichai has overseen the integration of AI across platforms such as Search, Android and Chrome.
Ng noted that after the rise of ChatGPT in 2022, Pichai responded by merging Google Brain and DeepMind to create Gemini, reinforcing Google’s position as a leading AI player.
“After OpenAI captured the public imagination with ChatGPT’s 2022 launch, Google faced questions about its leadership in AI. Pichai responded decisively… Even though Google is 27 years old, Pichai’s leadership has emphasized startup-like nimbleness, launching innovative AI products,” he wrote.
Ranbir Kapoor
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who penned Kapoor’s profile, described him as an actor who shapes audience sensibilities through restraint and authenticity rather than spectacle.
“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,” Khurrana wrote.
He added that Kapoor’s work acts as a cultural bridge, taking Indian storytelling rooted in mythology, citing the upcoming movie Ramayana.
Vikas Khanna
Celebrated chef Eric Ripert highlighted Vikas Khanna’s humanitarian work and cultural outreach alongside his culinary achievements.
Ripert wrote that Khanna’s influence extends beyond food, using it as a means to connect communities and share Indian traditions globally.
“What makes Vikas so unique is his ability to connect with people from every walk of life, using food as a universal language to build bridges and foster understanding,” Ripert wrote.
He also pointed to Khanna’s restaurant Bungalow as a storytelling space that reflects heritage and memory.
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Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
April 15, 2026, 23:30 IST
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