Historic Moment for Bollywood at Met Gala 2025
The Met Gala 2025 was a historic moment for Bollywood as superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Kiara Advani made their highly anticipated debuts at the most exclusive night of fashion.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Debut
Shah Rukh Khan’s first appearance at the gala was a moment of subtle power dressing, which seamlessly weighed into the theme of the night. Khan, dressed by Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, embodied the theme of the event, "tailor-made for her", which complemented the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition, Superfine: The Evolution of Black Style. His ensemble consisted of a floor-length black coat made of Tasmanian superfine wool with monogrammed Japanese horn buttons. Below, he wore a black crepe de chine silk shirt, paired with tailored woolen pants and a pleated satin campar band.
A Tribute to Black Dandyism
Mukherjee described the look as a homage to Khan’s permanent cinematic heritage. Khan’s shirt was open on the chest, revealing a group of layered chains, including a crystal-headed ‘K’ fan, probably an allusion to his "King Khan" moniker, and a diamond star brooch. He wore a sugar cane with a bejeweled Bengal Tiger head, made in 18-carat gold with tourmalines, sapphires, old mine-cut, and brilliant diamonds. Khan’s look aimed to combine elements of rich men’s clothing in India with the aesthetics of black dandyism.
Diljit Dosanjh’s Royal Ensemble
Diljit Dosanjh, on the other hand, put aside subtlety and decided to proudly wear his legacy on the blue carpet. Known for consistently integrating his Punjabi background into his personal style, he showcased his roots with a royal ensemble that paid homage to Sikh royalty. Working with designer Prabal Gurung and stylist Abbilasha Devnani, Dosanjh donned an ivory Sherwani-inspired Angrakha paired with traditional Tehmat, complemented by a sweeping cape intricately embroidered with cultural motifs.
A Celebration of Cultural Heritage
Dosanjh’s look was a tribute to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, one of the most opulent Indian royals of the early 20th century. His layered necklace was specially commissioned for his look, as his stylist could not borrow the original Patiala necklace. Instead of a walking stick, often associated with black dandyism, Dosanjh carried a Kirpan, a powerful symbol of duty and protection in Sikh culture. Dosanjh used the Met Gala theme to reinterpret black dandyism through his own personal history and unmistakable Punjabi style.
Kiara Advani’s Powerful Debut
Kiara Advani also made a powerful debut, interpreting the theme with an outfit that intertwined her personal journey with a cultural homage. She wore a custom-made couture creation by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta, featuring a slim black, shoulder-free dress with a dramatic white satin cloak with a black shoulder. At the heart of her look was an antique golden breast plate, showcasing two hearts, mother and child, shaped and connected by an abstract umbilical cord, which Guppa referred to as a celebration of the "transformative phase" that the visibly pregnant Advani would soon undergo.
