Bhavitha Mandava, Muhammed Riswan Win Instagram Rings Awards

Indian model Bhavitha Mandava and Kerala-based freestyle footballer Muhammed Riswan have been named among the 25 global winners of the Instagram Rings Awards 2026. The Meta-owned platform announced the winners as part of its annual initiative recognising creators whose work demonstrates originality, creative vision and innovation.

The two Indians were selected alongside 23 creators from different parts of the world, representing fields including Fashion, sports, music, comedy, photography, film, literature and digital entertainment.

Announcing the winners, Instagram said: “We’re honored to unveil our 2026 Rings winners: 25 creators from around the world who inspire us. We look forward to celebrating their creative courage throughout the next year.”

What Are the Instagram Rings Awards?

Introduced in October last year, the Instagram Rings Awards are an annual recognition programme celebrating 25 creators from around the world. The initiative focuses on their unique contributions, creative vision and originality.

Unlike recognition based primarily on audience size or follower counts, the awards place greater emphasis on creative impact and the ability to bring distinctive ideas to life. The programme highlights individuals who are pushing creative boundaries and developing original ways to connect with audiences.

The 2026 selection includes creators from a wide range of disciplines, reflecting Instagram’s focus on creativity across different cultural and professional communities.

Who Is Bhavitha Mandava?

Bhavitha Mandava is an Indian fashion model from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, who has gained international recognition for her work with leading fashion houses. Born into a middle-class Telugu family, she initially pursued architecture before entering the global modelling industry through an unexpected encounter in New York City.

From Architecture Studies to International Fashion

Mandava studied architecture at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. She later moved to New York to pursue a Master of Science in Integrated Design and Media at New York University.

Her entry into modelling came unexpectedly while she was waiting at a subway station. A fashion scout noticed her there, creating an opportunity that would eventually change the direction of her career.

She went on to make history as the first Indian model to open a Chanel Métiers d’Art show, a significant milestone in the international fashion industry. The show took place on a New York subway platform, bringing her professional achievement back to the setting where she was first discovered.

Instagram Recognises Her Journey in Fashion

Instagram highlighted Mandava’s unconventional journey and her growing presence in the fashion industry while announcing her selection.

The platform said:

“Bhavitha Mandava was discovered on a subway platform by Matthieu Blazy in jeans and a tee, with no modeling experience before debuting as a Bottega Veneta exclusive. She became the first Indian model to open Chanel Métiers d’Art. Now a Chanel House Ambassador and British Vogue cover star, she posts from inside fashion with an outsider’s eye, pairing backstage glimpses with her design sensibility.”

Her recognition reflects both her achievements in modelling and the distinctive perspective she brings to social media. Through her Instagram content, she offers glimpses into the fashion industry, including backstage moments and experiences shaped by her design background.

Who Is Muhammed Riswan?

Muhammed Riswan is a freestyle footballer from Areekode in Kerala’s Malappuram district. He earned a place among the Instagram Rings Awards 2026 winners for his technically demanding football tricks, creative performances and videos that have attracted a global audience.

According to Instagram, his gravity-defying skills and more than 600 million Reel views have helped take him from local football grounds to an international platform.

How Riswan Built an International Audience

Football was part of Riswan’s life from an early age. He initially wanted to pursue the traditional game and competed in district-level tournaments. However, a serious arm fracture during his teenage years disrupted those plans.

Rather than leaving football behind, he turned to freestyle football, a discipline that allowed him to remain connected to the sport through tricks, ball control and individual expression.

Riswan developed his abilities by teaching himself through online tutorials. Over time, he built a distinctive style that helped him attract attention beyond Kerala and India.

Instagram described his approach as a blend of his Malayalam roots and freestyle football creativity. The platform also highlighted how he built an international following without agents or conventional career pathways, while incorporating global brand partnerships into his work.

The Viral Waterfall Reel That Changed His Career

Riswan’s major breakthrough came in November 2023, when a video filmed at Keralamkundu Waterfall in Malappuram unexpectedly went viral.

In the video, he kicks a football towards the waterfall, creating the illusion that the ball disappears into the rushing water. What began as a fun experiment with friends quickly became a widely shared social media moment.

The reel attracted hundreds of millions of views, introducing his freestyle football skills to audiences around the world. In January 2024, the video received a Guinness World Records recognition for the most-viewed reel.

The video has since crossed 600 million views and continues to attract attention. Its success helped establish Riswan as one of India’s prominent freestyle football creators.

Invitation to Watch Lionel Messi in Argentina

Riswan’s growing international profile also brought him an opportunity connected to Argentine football. In 2025, the Argentine football team invited him to watch Lionel Messi’s home game at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

The invitation marked another milestone in his journey from a football enthusiast in Kerala to a creator recognised by audiences and organisations internationally.

Full List of Instagram Rings Awards 2026 Winners

Mandava and Riswan were among 25 creators selected for the 2026 awards. The other winners represent a diverse range of creative industries and communities.

• Erling Haaland: Norwegian football striker for Manchester City.
• Salehe Bembury: American footwear designer.
• Kareem Rahma: Egyptian-American comedian.
• Renell Medrano: Multidisciplinary creative.
• Skylar Marshai: Creative strategist.
• Szilveszter Makó: Photographer.
• Jordan Firstman: Writer, director and actor.
• Lyas: Paris-based fashion commentator.
• Sam Visser: SL Beauty’s global makeup artist.
• Pooja Tripathi: Comedian.
• Under the Cover: UK-based literary community.
• Steven Gao: Chef.
• MLMA: Multimedia artist.
• Ngozi Esther Edeme: UK-based makeup artist.
• Vicky Montanari: Italian-Brazilian fashion creator.
• Latin Mafia: Music group.
• Jasmine “JB” Badie: Creative director and choreographer.
• Alexis Nikole Nelson: Forager and educator.
• Damien Jalet: Choreographer.
• Joyce Alane: Singer.
• Juan Alvear: Nail artist.
• Medet Shayakhmetov: Film director.
• Little Simz: North London rapper.

Who Selected the Instagram Rings Awards Winners?

The awards were supported by a panel of prominent figures from creative industries, including art, culture, sports, music, film and literature.

The panel included Donatella Versace, ASAP Rocky, Emily Adams, FINNEAS, Chloe Zhao, Mikaela Shiffrin, OSGEMOS, Adam Mosseri, Charm La Donna, Eva Chen, Will Welch, Isamaya Ffrench, Vikas Khanna and Jack Edwards.

The involvement of personalities from different creative fields reflects the awards’ broad approach to recognising originality and influence beyond a single industry.

Indian Creators Gain Global Recognition

The selection of Bhavitha Mandava and Muhammed Riswan highlights two very different paths to international recognition. Mandava moved from architecture studies to the global fashion industry after being discovered in New York, while Riswan developed his freestyle football career through self-learning and social media content.

Both creators have used Instagram to share work that reaches audiences beyond their immediate communities. Their inclusion among the 25 Rings Awards winners places their achievements alongside those of internationally recognised personalities from fashion, sports, entertainment and other creative fields.

Instagram’s 2026 awards will celebrate the selected creators and their creative work throughout the coming year.