Shah Rukh Khan Wanted To Break South Asian Stereotypes With MET Gala Debut: 'West Still Sees Us As...'
Shah Rukh Khan made a landmark debut at the Met Gala 2025, becoming the most high-profile Indian celebrity to ever walk the iconic blue carpet.
Shah Rukh Khan made a landmark debut at the Met Gala 2025, becoming the most high-profile Indian celebrity to ever walk the iconic blue carpet. The Bollywood superstar’s appearance turned heads globally — not just for his regal black ensemble by designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, but also for the powerful statement behind his attendance.
Known for his past hesitation to mingle with Hollywood’s elite, Shah Rukh opened up to The New York Times about what prompted this unexpected move. According to the actor, it was a conscious step to challenge the limited and often stereotypical lens through which South Asian actors are seen in the West.
Shah Rukh Khan on appearing at the Met Gala
Dressed in a striking floor-length black coat, layered jewellery, and a jewelled cane, Shah Rukh Khan explained his motivation behind attending the prestigious event. He told NYT that his “snap decision” to accept Sabyasachi’s invitation was “partly influenced by a desire to counter some of the more pernicious stereotypes about South Asian actors.”
He added, “The West still sees and casts you as this exotic, the Peter Sellers ‘Birdie Num Num’ type.”
A closer look at SRK’s look
Sabyasachi designed an elongated coat in Tasmanian superfine wool with monogrammed Japanese horn buttons. The tailored piece featured a single-breasted structure, peak collar, and wide lapels. Shah Rukh wore it with a crepe de chine silk shirt, superfine wool trousers, and a pleated satin kamarbandh. He completed the ensemble with layers of custom jewellery and a Bengal Tiger Head Cane crafted in 18k gold adorned with tourmalines, sapphires, and both old mine and brilliant-cut diamonds.
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Despite the grandeur of his look, Shah Rukh described himself as a “jeans and t-shirt person” and revealed the only direction he gave Sabyasachi for the outfit: “The only thing he said was, ‘I don’t want to wear shoulder pads that make me look like an airplane.’”
All about Met Gala 2025
Held annually to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the Met Gala is one of fashion’s most glamorous nights. This year, along with Shah Rukh, other Indian stars present included Priyanka Chopra, Kiara Advani, Diljit Dosanjh, and designers Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, and Prabal Gurung. Socialites Isha Ambani and Natasha Poonawalla also graced the evening with their presence.
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