Met Gala 2025: When New York witnesses Indian royalty with SRK's Sabyasachi couture

Shah Rukh Khan, the undisputed King of Bollywood, brought his inimitable charm and regal poise to the Met Gala 2025, marking his grand debut at one of the world’s most prestigious fashion events. Draped in a bespoke ensemble by celebrated Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the superstar not only embraced the evening's theme with elegance but also left a powerful imprint with his signature flair.

This year’s Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, paid homage to the history, resilience, and creativity of Black fashion, exploring its evolution from the 18th century to modern times. Inspired by Monica L. Miller’s landmark book Slaves to Fashion, the theme celebrated the enduring symbolism of the Black dandy — a figure who uses clothing as a statement of identity, resistance, and cultural pride.

In a look that perfectly married South Asian craftsmanship with the theme’s emphasis on expressive tailoring, Shah Rukh Khan wore a floor-length, elongated coat made of Tasmanian superfine wool. The single-breasted coat featured a peak collar, wide lapels, and monogrammed Japanese horn buttons — a testament to Sabyasachi’s commitment to detail and heritage fabric. Underneath, he paired the coat with a crepe de chine silk shirt and tailored trousers made from the same superfine wool. A pleated satin kamarbandh added a distinctive Indian silhouette to the otherwise Western structure of the outfit.

Adding to the opulence of the look was the Bengal Tiger Head Cane — a masterpiece crafted in 18k gold and adorned with tourmalines, sapphires, and both old mine and brilliant-cut diamonds. The accessory not only highlighted the grandeur of Khan’s presence but also echoed the theme’s spirit of strength and elegance.

Shah Rukh, who is known for his iconic cinematic poses, brought that magic to the Met steps as he struck his classic open-arm stance on the blue carpet, drawing cheers and camera flashes from all directions. His pictures, shared by Sabyasachi’s official Instagram account and his long-time stylist Shaleena Nathani, quickly went viral, with fans and fashion critics alike hailing his debut as one of the night’s most memorable moments.

By embodying the global language of fashion while staying rooted in his Indian identity, Shah Rukh Khan didn’t just attend the Met Gala — he owned it. His appearance was a powerful reminder that style, when wielded thoughtfully, can bridge cultures, histories, and identities in the most spectacular way.