Filmmaker Karan Johar made a lasting impression as he made his Met Gala debut in a custom outfit by friend and celebrated designer Manish Malhotra. The director, who turned to the paintings of renowned Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma, was a 'walking masterpiece' as he made his highly anticipated debut.
Outfit Inspiration: Raja Ravi Varma
The outfit, titled 'Framed in Eternity', features Johar in a vintage jacket over a hand-painted cape. The design draws from several of Varma's works, including Lady with the Peach, Hamsa Damayanti, Kadambari, Arjuna and Subhadra, and There Comes Papa.
Karan Johar on His Met Gala Outfit
In a statement, Johar shared, "I didn't want to arrive here trying to explain India. I wanted to arrive feeling like myself and that automatically brings everything I come from with it. For me, it had to feel personal and the moment it felt personal, it became Indian, because that's where everything I know comes from. Every story I've told, every film I've made, every emotion I've tried to put on screen has come from this place. Raja Ravi Varma felt right because his work does something I've always tried to do in cinema. Ravi Varma painted feelings."
He added, "This look is my way of wearing that inheritance and I think that's the most honest thing I could have done for my first Met. To arrive not with a concept, but with a feeling I've carried my whole life and finally found the right form for."
Fan Frenzy Outside Hotel
Videos from outside the director's hotel showed fans going into a frenzy on seeing him modelling in his outfit and greeting the crowds with a 'Namaste'. Fashion watchers were heard cheering the director on, saying "Gorgeous! Divine!" The director posed for a few pictures, making fans click happily before heading to his car. Before he could leave, fans were heard saying, "Thank you Karan, enjoy the party."
Netizens Crown Karan Johar Best Dressed at Met Gala 2026
On making his debut on the white carpet, netizens were bowled over and did not hold back on their admiration. Sharing photos of the director walking the carpet, one tweeted, "Karan Johar and Emma Chamberlain are tied for my #1 look of the night… tough one #MetGala." Another wrote, "Karan Johar representing for the men at the #MetGala. He is the best dressed male I have seen so far; others looked a mess #BEYGALA."
Another admitted that while they did not know who the director was, they said, "karan johar ate idk who he is but he ate!" Still another declared, "KARAN JOHAR THIS GAG!! the indians are saving the gala." Another user commented, "Karan Johar x Manish Malhotra had to be what India needed in terms of representation @ the met wait karan johar in custom manish malhotra kind of ate." Yet another added, "dare i say Karan Johar won the Met Gala? I like his fit more than emma chamberlain's too. my jaw is on the floor. this is STUNNING." A fan noted, "Karan Johar being the best dressed man for this year's met gala was not on my bingo card! He ate that down."
Behind the Look
According to reports, Karan's look took over 80 artisans some 85 days to create. The piece has reportedly been painted by hand. Johar, 53, chose a multi-gemstone necklace and rings from his jewellery brand Tyaani to complete the look. This year the theme of Met Gala is "Costume Art" with the dress code being called "Fashion is Art".
