New York: The 2025 Met Gala, themed "Superfine", witnessed a historic moment for Indian representation as Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, and actress Kiara Advani made striking debuts on the iconic Met steps, captivating global audiences with powerful fashion statements rooted in culture, legacy, and personal narratives.
This year’s gala, focused on menswear and Black Dandyism, marked a shift in red carpet dynamics, highlighting minimalism, cultural elegance, and heritage.
Making his first-ever appearance at the Met Gala, Shah Rukh Khan embodied royalty and personal branding. Styled by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, he wore a black tailored jacket adorned with a dramatic “K” pendant, a custom “SRK” jewel set, and a Bengal tiger-topped sceptre. According to Sabyasachi, the look was designed to “represent Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan.”
Despite mixed reactions online, some calling the ensemble “forgettable” and others lauding his timeless charm, his signature pose on the blue carpet ensured a buzzworthy debut.
Kiara Advani’s radiant motherhood statement
Making her Met Gala debut while expecting her first child, Kiara Advani wore a custom Gaurav Gupta Couture piece titled ‘Bravehearts’, blending black, gold, and white. The ensemble celebrated motherhood with a heart-shaped plaque symbolizing new beginnings. Crafted with metallic flows, the gown echoed Gaurav Gupta’s signature but took a futuristic turn, aligning with the theme of the night.
The look paid homage to the spirit of the Black Dandy.
Diljit Dosanjh, styled by Prabal Gurung, brought unapologetic Punjabi flair to the Gala. His outfit, featuring traditional elements rooted in his Punjabi identity, earned him praise for “serving royalty, legacy, and aura.” A first for an Indian male musician at the Met, his look fused heritage with high fashion, making him one of the night’s most talked-about celebrities.
Other Indian icons at Met Gala 2025
Priyanka Chopra Jonas returned with husband Nick Jonas in coordinated Valentino black-and-white ensembles. Her polka-dot-inspired gown paired with white opera gloves and a Bulgari necklace channeled timeless glamour, while Nick complemented her with a polka-dot suit and leather accents.
Isha Ambani, in Anamika Khanna, stunned with an ensemble that took over 20,000 hours to embroider. Draped in heirloom Cartier diamonds, her look blended tradition and modernity with elegance.
Natasha Poonawala, styled by Manish Malhotra, wore “The Empress”, a couture masterpiece featuring a pearl-embellished corset and Gara embroidery, paying tribute to her Parsi roots while embracing futurism.
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Bengaluru (PTI): Chartered Speed Limited and EKA Mobility on Wednesday secured a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity for the deployment of 1,750 electric buses here, officials said.
The development marks a significant milestone in strengthening sustainable public electric transport infrastructure in one of India’s major metropolitan regions.
According to Chartered Speed Limited, a leading player in passenger bus mobility services, the allocation accounts for nearly 39 per cent of Bengaluru’s planned induction of 4,500 electric buses under the PM E-Drive Scheme, underscoring the company’s role in advancing the city’s public transport electrification efforts.
Bengaluru has emerged as one of India’s leading cities in electric public transport adoption, with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation steadily expanding its electric bus network in line with Karnataka’s clean mobility vision and the Centre’s decarbonisation roadmap, the company said in a statement.
Emphasising that safety remains a core pillar of its EV operations, Chartered Speed Limited said it follows structured safety protocols, including preventive maintenance, battery health monitoring, and specialised driver training to ensure reliable and commuter-focused services.
The partnership combines Chartered Speed’s operational expertise with EKA Mobility’s electric vehicle manufacturing and technology capabilities to deliver accessible and dependable urban transport solutions for Bengaluru commuters, it added.
"Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are central to efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system," said Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed Limited.
"As an early adopter of e-mobility, we aim to convert around 25 per cent of our fleet to electric by fiscal 2027, supported by strong infrastructure investments to deliver commuter-centric services with lasting socio-economic impact," he added.
