HT Brunch Cover Story: Before the biopic

Meet the captain of the Indian women’s national football team, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, a player whose life is a gripping story just waiting to be shared

Fresh off the HT Brunch cover shoot, 29-year-old Loitongbam Ashalata Devi is in high spirits. “It was so very good,” she repeats thrice, effusively. “It was my first experience and I really liked it.” Ashalata is instantly easy to talk to and has an almost innocent, unpretentious way of speaking and natural charm that draws you to her.

Ashalata Devi says, Sometimes I would go to practice straight after school instead of going home and I’d tell my mother I got late at school”; Styling by Rishi Raj; Styling assistant: Parul Gauba; Art direction by Amit Malik; Hair & make-up by Pallavi Kapoor; Dress by Guapa; Earrings by Mango; Socks by Forever 21; Sneakers by Truffle (Vidushii Gupta)

Ashalata says, “The women’s football team is emotional, in my experience. When we don’t perform, we get hurt. And to build up that enthusiasm again is quite difficult. As a captain, I found it quite hard to overcome the hard times and build team morale”; Overcoat by House of Khaddar; Bralette by Namrata Joshipura; Pants by Capisvirleo; Earrings by Tanvi Garg Studio; Shoes by Birkenstock (Vidushii Gupta)

Ashalata says, “To do something good, it’s important to lose things. I couldn’t stay with my family for long because I dreamt of being a professional football player”; Bodysuit by Zara; Vest by UCB; Skirt by Uniqlo; Belt by Birkenstock; Ring by Tanvi Garg Studio; Boots by UCB (Vidushii Gupta)

Ashalata is also the captain of Gokulam Kerala, part of the Indian Women’s League

She poses for a picture with actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar

In her hometown of Angtha in Imphal

Fun fact!

Ashalata says, “We keep fighting for equal pay—and we should fight—but we also need a reason to fight”

Know a little about Ashlata Devi

Ashlata says, “I do have regrets. There are things I haven’t been able to obtain. I feel bad sometimes; maybe if I had pushed a little more, I may have gotten this or that. So, I don’t feel like I’ve done all my work, or done enough”; Jacket by TVR; Bralette by Zara; Skirt by Primal Gray; Watch by Guess; Earrings by Tanvi Garg Studio; Shoes by Chalk Studio (Vidushii Gupta)

Ashalata says, “When I was placed in a leadership position, I was quite scared because there were other senior players as well. When they picked me over them, that was a huge challenge. I had to learn how to handle a team”; Jacket by Shahin Mannan; Skirt by TVR; Sunglasses by Vogue Eyewear; Shoes by Truffle (Vidushii Gupta)