The World Is a Stage—and Sushant Divgikar Owns It
They say travel expands your horizons—but for queer souls like Sushant Divgikar, it does something deeper. It lets him/her/them exhale. To step into spaces where their existence isn’t questioned—but celebrated. To mark the Pride Month, SOH speaks to Sushant Divgikar Rani Ko-HE-Nur, on his/her favourite voyages.
By Nolan Lewis
Sushant Divgikar—actor, drag icon, singer, and unapologetic force of nature—isn’t just known for lighting up stages and screens. Off-stage, Sushant is an avid traveler with a suitcase full of stories, glitter, and globetrotting memories. From serene mountain retreats to bustling queer-friendly metropolises, their travel diaries are as vibrant and boundary-breaking as their performances. Whether exploring cultural gems, seeking out LGBTQIA+ safe spaces, or simply finding joy in local food and fashion, Sushant’s journeys reflect a deeper quest for connection, self-expression, and liberation. In this article, we dive into their favourite destinations, unforgettable travel moments, and the life lessons picked up along the way.
My earliest memory of travel? A wild, unforgettable family trip through Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim and Nagaland with my brother Karan and our parents. It didn’t just light a spark—it lit a fire.
I made it my mission to explore this fabulous planet. From the runways of Los Angeles to sunsets in Santorini—travel feeds my soul. And to my parents, thank you for giving me the compass that always swings to adventure.
Nothing compares to a meal at OKO by The Lalit—THE best Pan-Asian in the country. My favorite is OKO New Delhi, closely followed by Ming Yang at Taj Lands End. One date even proposed mid-sushi! I declined, of course—because good food will forever be my one true love.
The Lalit Group is a sanctuary to me. A revolution in inclusivity. Where else do you see drag queens on stage and in leadership roles? Their DEI game isn’t just progressive—it’s luxurious, empowering, and deeply personal. It’s home.
Internationally, my check-in trifecta includes The Taj (for being Indian hospitality’s crown jewel), Ritz Paris (site of my wildest bestie trip), and Beverly Hilton (where I lost my Hollywood red carpet virginity—and then some).
I’m manifesting a romantic getaway to Japan. Specifically, Aman Tokyo. That skyline view, the serenity, the discipline—it’s the ultimate dream date destination. Applications, gentlemen, are officially open.
My art, activism, and androgyny took me from Mumbai to Madrid. Every performance, every trip, has added new layers. My passport is living proof of a life lived loudly—and proudly.
If heaven had a postcode, it would be Maspalomas, Spain. It’s queer Disneyland without the heteronormativity. I’ve never felt so gloriously seen. Not tolerated—celebrated.
The cities that truly get it right for queer folx? Los Angeles. New York. Barcelona. Paris. And yes—Mumbai. These places don’t just allow queerness—they nurture it. India is shifting too. We’re queering the map, one glitter bomb at a time.
I’ve faced travel prejudice. I’ve been stared at, whispered about. But I refuse to dim my sparkle. If I’m boosting your GDP with my presence, the least you can do is show respect.
From the runways of Los Angeles to sunsets in Santorini—travel feeds Sushant's soul.
Japan is the ultimate dream date destination for him/her.
One airline walking the talk on inclusivity? IndiGo. Their DEI efforts are sky-high. I’ve worked with them—and honestly, they’re doing more than many “woke” global carriers. Colour me impressed—and proud!
From performing at Stockholm Pride—where I shared the stage with The Weather Girls and The Village People! to being called India’s Beyoncé—I’m still recovering from that joy blackout.
When I’m home in Mumbai, you’ll find me at Zainab Patel’s Trans Café. Run by a proud trans team, it’s a space where I’ve laughed, cried, sung—and always left uplifted. It’s not just a café—it’s a symbol of everything we’re fighting for.
My dream Indian itinerary? Rajasthan, Goa, Leh, the Northeast, Kamakhya Devi Temple in Guwahati—and of course, Mumbai. Come watch me perform! Our culture is a fever dream, and queerness is baked into every corner.
My favourite queer clubs? DISCO DISCO and House of Heals in Thailand. Kitty Su and Kitty Ko in India. And of course, the legendary Stonewall Inn in NYC—where our revolution began. These aren’t just dance floors—they’re temples of freedom.
Perfect getaway? Good food, soul-nourishing conversation, a glorious head massage, and chill vibes.
My perfect getaway? Good food, soul-nourishing conversation, a glorious head massage, and chill vibes. Basically, a 5-star thali with a side of aromatherapy. Peace has a flavour—and it’s delishaaas.
Whether I’m at a luxury retreat or a hotel room, wellness is sacred. I meditate. I jog. I stretch. I glam up. It’s not just routine—it’s ritual. My temple isn’t a shrine. It’s my body.
I don’t travel to ‘find inspiration’. I live fully. Observe deeply. Absorb the world like a sponge wearing sequins. And if the destination has hot men? Well—bonus points!
From NYC to Bangkok, I’ve studied global drag. But my soul remains Indian. Saree? Packed. Naach? Ready. Narrative? Always. Even RuPaul said my fusion is iconic. I’ll take that to the grave.
American drag is electric. But South Asian drag? Ancestral. We bring classical dance, Sufi mystique, Bollywood drama—and serve it on stilettoes. It’s heritage-on-heels, darling.
Drag brunches, spa indulgence, beachside breakfasts and star-kissed nights make it truly iconic.
Sushant has studied global drag—but the soul remains Indian.
A chosen family isn’t a concept—it’s my reality. From Berlin to Bengaluru, I’ve got couches to crash on and hearts that hold space for me. Solidarity is one message away.
The dream queer holiday in India? The Lalit Golf and Spa Resort in Canacona, South Goa. Think: drag brunches, spa indulgence, beachside breakfasts and star-kissed nights. Secluded, stunning, superbly queer-friendly. Iconic.
Still on my bucket list? Japan. New Zealand. Australia. The holy trinity of glam escapes. The travel gods are calling—and I will answer.
Some days, I crave the stage. Others, I cherish invisibility. There’s a luxury in being anonymous in a foreign land. In exhaling. In simply being.
To all the queerlings reading this. Save up. Fly out. Live out loud. As my mentor once told me: “You’re not a tree—Move.” Best advice I ever got. Now I pass it on to you.
Where am I truly myself? Anywhere that’s chill, welcoming, and doesn’t flinch at how high my heels are. But honestly? Wherever I go—I bring the vibe. I am the holiday.
Travel mantra? Eat. Sleep. Rave. Repeat. And darling—don’t forget to book that massage. You deserve it. Yes, YOU.
The Lalit Golf and Spa Resort in Canacona, South Goa—a dream queer holiday.