Met Gala 2026: Karan Johar makes debut with Raja Ravi Varma-inspired cape, pens emotional post

He said he wanted to take the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma, not on canvas “but in motion” to represent Indian culture, art and storytelling on the “global steps.” Karan also revealed why he chose Ravi Varma Raja. “Ravi Varma felt right because his work does something I’ve always tried to do in cinema. He painted feelings,” he said.

He further thanked the noted designer for giving him a “core memory”. His outfit was styled by popular stylist Eka Lakhani.

Sharing his feelings on making it to the Met Gala for the first time, he said, “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.”

He further described the look as an expression of personal inheritance, and said, “This is my way of wearing that inheritance. It felt like 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.”

The Met Gala was co-chaired by Beyonce, Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman and Anna Wintour with Jeff and Lauren Sánchez Bezos serving as Honorary Chairs.