US-based Indian-origin actress and designer Anjali Phougat, who was also seen in the short film Inclusion Through Unity, is opening up about one of the most difficult phases of her life following the passing of her father, Kesar Lal Dhingra, on July 30, 2026. Anjali travelled to India to perform his last rites, a journey that she says brought her face to face with her roots, childhood memories and the realities of losing someone who had been such an important part of her life.
“Losing a parent changes something inside you. You may think you are prepared for life, but there are certain moments that no amount of preparation can make easier. My father was such an important part of my foundation, my upbringing and the person I became,” she says.
For Anjali, returning to India during such an emotional time was unlike any other journey she had made. Being surrounded by family, familiar places and memories from her childhood brought comfort, but also made the absence of her father feel even more real.
“Coming back to India for his last rites was one of the most emotional journeys of my life. I was surrounded by everything that felt familiar, but emotionally I was going through something completely different. There is a very difficult moment when you realise that someone who was always there is no longer physically there,” she shares.
The experience also made Anjali reflect on her connection with her roots. Despite living and working in the US, she says the loss reminded her that the people and experiences that shaped us continue to remain a part of us.
“No matter where life takes you or how far you travel, your family and your roots remain a part of who you are. That became very clear to me during this time,” she adds.
Remembering her father, Anjali says the values he instilled in her continue to guide her. “He taught me resilience, dignity and the importance of doing your work sincerely. He always made me understand that you don’t have to constantly prove yourself to everyone. Your character, your actions and the way you treat people eventually speak for you,” she says.
His passing has also changed the way she views time, relationships and happiness. “We spend so much time worrying about things that seem important in the moment. We postpone conversations, postpone happiness and sometimes forget to tell people what they mean to us because we assume there will always be another day,” Anjali says.
“I don’t want to live like that anymore. I want to be more present, spend time with the people I love, express what I feel and forgive where I can. Life is happening now, and I understand that much more deeply today,” she adds.
Anjali had also shared a video expressing her feelings about her father. She says opening up publicly was not about having all the answers, but about being honest about grief.
“Grief can be very lonely, and I have always believed that we should be honest about life and not only show the successful or beautiful moments. I wasn’t sharing that video because I had figured everything out. I was simply feeling something deeply, and putting those emotions into words became a part of my healing,” she explains.
“My father will always be a part of my story. Remembering him, speaking about him and carrying forward the lessons he gave me is my way of keeping his memory alive,” she adds.
The experience has also changed the way Anjali approaches her career. As she gradually returns to work, she says she is being more conscious about where she invests her time and energy.
“I am slowly returning to work, but I don’t want to rush back simply because I feel I am supposed to. I want to work at my own pace and be more intentional about the projects I choose,” she says.
That shift in perspective was also reflected in her recent work with the Blume Foundation Annual Gala, where she presented a fashion show focused on cancer awareness and prevention.
“Fashion can be much more than fashion. When you have a platform, you also have an opportunity to bring attention to issues that affect people’s lives. Being able to use my work for something meaningful is what Fashion for Purpose means to me,” Anjali shares.
She also chose to cancel some of her planned New York Fashion Week shows in September, realising that she needed to reassess her priorities.
“Success doesn’t feel like it is only about how many shows I do or how busy my calendar is anymore. I find myself asking what I am contributing, what difference I can make and whether my work can actually help someone or bring attention to something that matters,” she says.
Anjali is now also continuing her work around human trafficking awareness with The Ohio State University, a cause she has been associated with for several years. For her, it is another way of bringing together fashion, storytelling and advocacy.
“I want to continue creating fashion, but I want to create it with purpose. I want my work to contribute in whatever way it can, whether that is for women, vulnerable communities, the planet or causes that need a stronger voice,” she says.
Perhaps the biggest change, she admits, is within herself.
“I am still the same person who loves fashion, creativity, beauty and dreaming big. But I have become much more conscious of why I am doing it. Losing my father has made me realise that achievements are not what we ultimately leave behind. It is how we made people feel, what we gave back and what difference we made while we were here,” Anjali concludes.
