Ex-Army Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, ex-ADC to President, joins fashion with Bonkers Corner collection

Former Indian Army Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, who served as aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu, is in the news again. He took premature retirement from the Army at just 30, which surprised many at the time. He has now begun a new, glamorous phase of his life. Known on social media for his strong personality and discipline, Sambyal has stepped directly into the world of fashion and streetwear.

Sambyal, known among fans as the "National Crush", has collaborated with Bonkers Corner, a popular luxury streetwear brand based in Mumbai. A collection named "MAJ RISHABH (RETD.) X BONKERS" is currently drawing attention on the brand's website and social media handles. His photoshoot and promotional video with Anushka Sen, the 24-year-old actress and brand ambassador, are going viral on the internet.

Sambyal comes from a Dogra Rajput military family in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. After training at the NDA, he joined the Indian Army in 2013. In about 12 years of service he was part of the Jat Regiment. In the 2021 Republic Day parade he led the "Best Marching Contingent". He was also with the 4 Para Special Forces, one of the Army's deadliest units, where he received the prestigious "Balidan Badge". In March 2023 he became ADC to the President, but decided to retire early because of family responsibilities.

After leaving the Army, he tried his hand at content creation and motivational speaking. In Bonkers Corner's new campaign he appears with actress Anushka Sen, Shark Tank fame Namita Thapar and founder Shubham Gupta. The theme of the advertising campaign is "Kamai ka phal, udhaar ka nahin". It carries a message of real effort and availability as against counterfeit products. Seeing Sambyal's soldierly bearing and style in the photoshoot, fans are advising him to enter Bollywood.

This blend of military discipline, the attitude of the special forces and youth fashion is setting a new trend in the Indian streetwear market. Bonkers Corner, which received funding from Shark Tank India, regularly ties up with prominent and talked-about faces. Young people are being drawn to the brand by its association with a disciplined person like Sambyal. His move into modelling shows, the article says, that a blend of discipline and style can make any new path easier.