Karan Johar Debuts at 2026 Met Gala in Ravi Varma Outfit

Filmmaker Karan Johar made his debut at the 2026 Met Gala in New York, wearing a custom ensemble designed by Manish Malhotra that paid tribute to the works of 19th-century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma.

The outfit, titled "Framed in Eternity," aligned with the event's "Costume Art" theme and "Fashion is Art" dress code. Johar, 53, donned a black bandhgala jacket with power shoulders, matching trousers, and a nearly six-foot-long hand-painted cape. The design incorporated motifs from Varma's paintings, including Hamsa Damayanti, Kadambari, Arjuna and Subhadra, Lady with the Peach, and There Comes Papa. Artisans used techniques such as 3D sculpting, quilting, zardozi embroidery, and hand painting with acrylic and oil-based finishes to recreate the paintings' depth on fabric. More than 80 artisans labored for 85 days, totaling around 5,600 hours. Johar completed the look with a multigemstone necklace and rings from his jewelry brand Tyaani. Stylist Eka Lakhani collaborated on the ensemble.

In social media posts and statements, Johar described the appearance as a personal milestone. "From loving cinema and costume as a wide-eyed dreamer to standing on the steps of the Met Gala,...