Janhvi Kapoor Hits Back At Critics Calling India's Met Gala Presence 'Chandivalification': 'Colonial Trauma Hasn’t Left Us'
Actress Janhvi Kapoor has come to the defense of Indian celebrities and culture after a section of people trolled Indians at the recently concluded Met Gala 2025.
At the 2025 Met Gala in New York City on May 5, Indian superstars such as Diljit Dosanjh, Kiara Advani, Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas made history by walking the blue carpet. On the other side, online trolls were quick to criticise the Indian celebs, calling their presence the "Chandivalification of the Met." Now, actress Janhvi Kapoor spoke against online trolls who targeted Indian personalities and culture during the Met.
An online statement by prominent fashion critic Diet Sabya, “DSji how come we have sudden influx of Indians at the Met? Is this the Chandivalification of the Met?", started the debate.
Janhvi Kapoor's Response
Janhvi Kapoor took to social media to defend the increasing international profile of Indian designers and celebrities. Janhvi wrote, “It was high time. Our artisans and designers are the best in the world, they deserve the spotlight on a global stage like the Met. As do our icons.”
The actress asked, “Shouldn’t we be happy we’re finally getting our due instead of salty about how seeing our own people on this platform is making it seem a little less aspirational? Might I say our garments were amongst the most spectacular. Amusing how we’re being almost classist towards ourselves, clearly colonial trauma hasn’t left us."
She also spoke out in favour of Indian craftspeople, saying that the Met Gala is the perfect venue to honour their work. She concluded, “For decades, the work of our artisans has been exported from our country and put on global platforms without credit. For decades, they have borrowed our fabrics, our embroidery, our textiles, our jewellery and presented it as a creation of which they are the rightful owners. I’m glad our people are finally getting the chance to represent so much of our work and heritage. If anything, the sense of pride I felt seeing our artists and garments at the Met made whole affair seem even more magical."
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