It finally happened. After years of anticipation and fan petitions, Shah Rukh Khan, aka King Khan, made his Met Gala debut. And it was nothing short of a cultural reset. Keeping in mind this yearโs dress code, โTailored For You,โ Shah Rukh Khanโs ensemble by Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjeeย subtly connected the shared histories of black and Indian dandyismโtwo traditions that reimagined tailoring.
A Look of Understated Power
The King of Bollywood didnโt need gimmicks or theatrics.
Shah Rukh walked the carpet in a pitch-black, floor-length Tasmanian wool coat, buttoned with Japanese horn closures and tailored like it belonged in both a royal court and a contemporary museum. Beneath it, he wore a black crepe de Chine silk shirt, left open at the chest, paired with tailored superfine woolย trousers. A pleated satin kamarbandh cinched the waist, adding structure and softness to the tailored layers.
View this post on Instagram
The jewellery was layered across his torso, including a custom stack of talismanic chains anchored by a crystal-studded pendant shaped like the letter ‘K’ and a diamond star brooch at the lapel. Rings adorn his fingers. He carried a Bengal Tiger Head Cane, crafted in 18k gold and embellished with tourmalines. To add more power to the look, the Cane had sapphires, an old mine-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds.
Mukherjee described his vision as a tribute to Khanโs global stature, stating, โShah Rukh Khan is one of the greatest superstars in the world… Dressed in classic menswear with the maximalist flourish of Sabyasachi, Shah Rukh Khan is a magician, superstar and icon. Period.โ
The layered jewellery over the open shirt recalls historic portraits of maharajas draped in pearls and gemstones, using ornament as a statement of status and authority. It whispered, โI donโt need to shout. Iโve been here all along.โ
Indian Dandyism: A Quiet Revolution in Fashion
SRKโs look wasnโt just regalโit was rooted in history, specifically, the often-overlooked legacy of Indian dandyism.
The traditional Indian dandies like Nawabs of Awadh, Calcuttaโs bhadralok, or Bombayโs colonial-era gentry were all about turning elegance into resistance. Through layering, tailoring, jewellry and carefully curated silhouettes, these men challenged colonial ideas of masculinity and modernity. They were stylish and subversive.
Thatโs the deeper layer to Shah Rukhโs Met Gala debut. His look wasnโt loud because it didnโt need to be. It echoed centuries of Indian style heritage. A heritage where refinement carried the loudest message.
View this post on Instagram
Fans React: โUnderstated Majestyโ or โToo Safeโ?
The internet lit up as soon as SRK stepped onto the blue carpet. Many fans praised the look as โunderstated majesty,โ appreciating the subtle nods to Indian heritage and the restraint shown in an event known for its extravagance. One fan tweeted, โOnly Shah Rukh Khan can make a black coat feel like a crown.โ
Read More:ย BLACKPINKโs Lisa Receives Backlash Over Controversial Met Gala Outfit
Not everyone was enamored. Some critics felt the ensemble was โtoo safeโ for the Met Gala, an event that often celebrates bold and avant-garde fashion. โI expected more drama from the King of Bollywood,โ one fashion blogger noted. A few Met Gala watchers even admitted they didnโt recognise him. (Yes, really.) That led to the now-viral clip of an international media personnel asking, โAnd who are you?โ Khan responded gracefully, “Iโm Shah Rukh.”ย Cue the collective gasp from South Asians everywhere.
Because if Shah Rukh Khan walks into a room and you donโt know who he is? Then respectfully speaking that’s a YOU problem!
Bollywoodโs Night at the Met
Of course, SRK wasnโt alone. Bollywood came dressed this year. Alongside Khan, several other notable figures made their Met Gala debuts, including Bollywood actress Kiara Advani. Through her outfit, Kiara celebrated her impending motherhood with a stunning gold ensemble designed by Gaurav Gupta. Her gown was titled “Bravehearts” and featured sculpted hearts connected by a chain resembling an umbilical cord. This symbolised the bond between a mother and a child. Advani’s appearance was a powerful statement about femininity and transformation, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the event.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas brought retro glamour in white polka-dot Balmain and a 241-carat emerald pendant, while Nick Jonas leaned into vintage rockstar energy. Manish Malhotra, the man behind countless Bollywood bridal dreams, made his Met Gala debut as a guest and established Indian couture firmly on the map. Moreover, Diljit Dosanjh walked the Met Gala in custom Prabal Gurung. Every detail was steeped in opulence, from a feathered, jewel-studded turban to a layered diamond necklace by Golechaโs Jewels (an homage to Maharaja Bhupinder Singhโs iconic Patiala necklace by Cartier). Instead of a cane, he wielded a lion-headed, jewel-studded kirpan (sword)โa symbol of both regal power and ferocity.
Read More:ย All You Need to Know About the Met Gala 2025
King Khan Came and Conquered
Shah Rukh Khan didnโt need wings, prosthetics, or high-concept fashion art to stand out. He came as he is: iconic. At 59, he showed the younger generation how to dominate a global stage without theatrics. It wasnโt about shocking. It was about staying sovereign.
His Met Gala debut reminded the world of one simple truth: You donโt have to scream when youโre already a legend. And sometimes, the boldest move is simply showing up in your own ski, with your culture, your history and your quiet power stitched into every thread.
Stay tuned toย Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.