Best dressed at Met Gala: Not Shah Rukh Khan, this Indian star voted No. 1 against Rihanna, Shakira, Zendaya

Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh made headlines with his debut appearance at the Met Gala 2025, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Walking the red carpet in a regal, custom-designed ensemble by Prabal Gurung, he paid tribute to his cultural heritage in a way that resonated powerfully with audiences. The outfit, inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, stood out not just for its aesthetic appeal but for its deep cultural symbolism.

Vogue, the fashion magazine behind the annual style poll, revealed that Dosanjh was voted the Best Dressed celebrity of the evening. Out of 307 red carpet looks, his outfit received the most votes from readers, pushing global fashion icons such as Zendaya and Rihanna down the list. This marked a significant moment not only in Dosanjh’s career but also for representation of South Asian fashion on a global stage.

Diljit’s ensemble was a blend of tradition and contemporary fashion. He wore a cream Prabal Gurung sherwani featuring hand-embroidered rose gold floral crystal detailing, paired with a leopard-print silk shirt and black leather pants. The standout elements included a jewel-encrusted turban, Cartier accessories, and a lion-headed ceremonial kirpan. His layered necklace, inspired by the historic Patiala Necklace, added royal grandeur to the look.

Adding a personal and historical touch, the look was completed with a cape embroidered by 50 artisans. The cape showcased a map of Punjab with inscriptions in the Gurmukhi script, all hand-stitched in gold thread. This display of cultural pride received widespread admiration and made Dosanjh’s appearance a standout among hundreds of global celebrities.

Vogue's Best Dressed List 2025

Following Diljit Dosanjh in the rankings was South Korean rapper S.Coups, who wore a grey suit by Boss, influenced by traditional Korean hanbok design. Zendaya came third in Louis Vuitton, followed by Teyana Taylor in Ruth E. Carter, Rihanna in Marc Jacobs, and Nicki Minaj in a Thom Browne outfit. The list also featured Shakira in Prabal Gurung, Lewis Hamilton in Grace Wales Bonner, Lisa in Louis Vuitton, and Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton.

While Bollywood heavyweights like Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Kiara Advani also made their Met Gala debuts this year, none of them secured a place in the final list. Shah Rukh Khan, despite his star power, and Priyanka Chopra, a Met Gala veteran, were notably absent from the top rankings.

A Year of Global Recognition for Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh's presence at the Met Gala capped off a year of major achievements. In 2024, he gained international attention with his "Dil-Luminati" world tour and his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His Met Gala appearance in 2025 further cemented his growing influence on the global stage—not just as a performer but as a style icon representing South Asian culture with pride.

Dosanjh’s reaction to his Met Gala moment was shared through an Instagram post, where he stated, “MAIN HOON ਪੰਜਾਬ #metgala. Inspired by The Theme of Black Dandyism, I Bring My Turban, My Culture & My Mother Tongue 'ਪੰਜਾਬੀ' to The MET GALA.”