The list includes political leaders like George W Bush and Bill Clinton; builders and titans like Steve Jobs and Jay-Z; scientists and thinkers like Jeffrey Sachs, Malcolm Gladwell; and heroes and icons like Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama.

Obviously, the list has to include artists and entertainers, and this year's 100 include Jamie Foxx, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Kayne West.

Here are some images from a starry Tuesday night in New York city where Time felicitated those on the list.

Pictured is our very own Aishwarya Rai, brightening the frame for the former Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein, who has now left the Disney franchise. He must be spending the evening basking in Quentin Tarantino's induction, the director's Kill Bill films being a result of Weinstein's backing.

Design: Uday Kuckian | Photographs: Getty Images