GQ Middle East Unveils September Issue With Ishaan Khatter On The Cover

GQ Middle East launches its September 2025 Fashion Issue, fronted by Indian actor Ishaan Khatter, photographed in Mumbai. Known for his effortless style, magnetic screen presence and fearless approach to acting, Khatter represents the new face of South Asian talent redefining global cinema and fashion. His cover also speaks to the deep cultural ties between South Asia and the Middle East, where Bollywood’s storytelling and values continue to strike a powerful chord across generations.

Ishaan Khatter’s ascent is part of that story and very much his own. From the promise of Beyond the Clouds to global recognition in A Suitable Boy and Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, he has carved out a career defined by discipline and curiosity.

Amine Jreissati, Head of Editorial Content, GQ Middle East, said: “This September, we wanted to explore fashion from our region outwards, not as an accessory, but as instinct, as identity, as storytelling. Bollywood’s reach across the region is undeniable, its family values and emotional pull resonating far beyond the vast South Asian diaspora that calls the Arab world home. Ishaan embodies this perfectly, he is at once deeply rooted in South Asia while also pushing into global conversations in cinema, culture and style. His journey mirrors our issue’s theme: fashion built with purpose, from here.”

Inside the feature, Khatter opens up about resilience, craft and carrying his own fire:

• “The fact that [Majid Majidi] put his trust in me made me sideline my own self-doubt. If a master is putting his faith in me, then what do I even know? Let’s just do the thing.” – on his acting breakthrough.
  
• “You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to the camera.” – on his approach to performance.
  
• “It’s early days, you know, and there is so much more that I want to do. I feel more assured in my choices now. I want to work more and think less.” – on finding his momentum.

Alongside the cover story, the September issue examines fashion as identity across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, spotlighting voices reshaping menswear, from regional couture to sneaker culture, from Pakistan’s Rastah to the enduring rituals of coffee culture.

The full interview is available now on the GQ Middle East website HERE.