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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Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.