Over the past week, social media has been awash with speculation about what one particular Indian attendee would wear to the 2025 Met Gala. The conjecture swirling around on every continent (for this superstar has super-fans in every corner of the world) was not about decadent gowns or jaw-dropping jewellery, but rather, about what the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, would wear for his Met Gala debut. (Spoiler: jaw-dropping jewellery was in fact, a key feature of his look)
Designed by Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee (who famously dressed Alia Bhatt in a sari with a 23-foot-long train at last year’s Met Gala), Khan’s ensemble was neither overtly elaborate nor particularly grandiose – at least, not by Met Gala standards. He wore a long black coat layered over a black top with a deep V-neck: a regal silhouette designed in a comparatively simple, solid hue. The outfit was accessorised with countless layered necklaces, emblazoned with everything from gemstones and celestial charms to his initials and an oversized, crystal-encrusted “K” pendant. A star-shaped diamond-studded brooch on one lapel, and a cane topped with the head of a Bengal tiger completed the star’s look.
“I told Sabya that I only wear black and white. What he’s designed for me, is what I’m most comfortable in,” stated Khan, who expressed humility, shyness and nervousness when being interviewed at the gala. “When you get a man like this on the red carpet, especially when it’s ‘Black dandy,’ representation is the most important thing,” Mukherjee told the press. “We wanted to represent Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan, and nobody else.
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Khan, who turns 60 this year, is nothing short of an icon of Bollywood cinema. He has fans of every age, gender and nationality, who love him for his portrayals of heroes and heartthrobs over the past few decades. While some critics found his highly-anticipated Met Gala look lacking, the understated-yet-thoughtfully-embellished outfit was befitting of a man whose charisma shines brighter than what he wears.
The attire of Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh on the other hand, was the opposite of understated. He wore a traditional ensemble by Prabal Gurung, which featured a kurta and dramatic cape. The look was heavily bejewelled, from a layered necklace to the strands of gems adorning his turban. Isha Ambani also attended the Met Gala, appearing in a look by Anamika Khanna. The intricately-designed outfit was a striking combination of Western tailoring with Indian textiles and craftsmanship. She too, was decked out in layered necklaces.
Indian entrepreneur Mona Patel meanwhile, wore a Thom Browne ensemble that paid tribute to the dress code of the evening, with a futuristic twist. No layered necklaces here – her statement accessory was a robotic dog, complete with a diamond-studded leash.
