Filmmaker Karan Johar opened up about the inspiration behind his Met Gala 2026 outfit during an interaction with BBC, offering insight into the artistic and personal significance of his red carpet debut.

Karan Johar credits Shah Rukh Khan for his journey as he debuts at Met Gala: “He’s the reason I stand here”

Johar revealed that his ensemble was designed by Manish Malhotra and styled by Eka Lakhani. He described the outfit as a tribute to the celebrated Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma. Speaking about the design, he said, “This is, I cannot claim too much involvement. It’s been designed by one of the most famous Indian designers, Manish Malhotra, who is also my best friend. Styled by one of my dear friends, Eka Lakhani, and it’s a homage to one of the most famous Indian artists called Raja Ravi Varma. You know, his work is very, very celebrated, and this outfit is a dedication, homage and tribute to his glorious work.”

Reflecting on his long association with fashion, Johar highlighted how it has remained an integral part of his filmmaking process. “Fashion has been a huge part of my cinema. It’s also a massive hobby of mine, but I’ve also tried to integrate fashion through storytelling and through characters through the years and through my films, and I’m just glad to represent India at the Met, especially when the theme is fashion is art,” he said.

The filmmaker also spoke about the emotional significance of attending the event, especially following Shah Rukh Khan’s appearance at the Met Gala last year. Johar credited the actor for shaping his career, saying, “Well for me it’s so emotional. Shah Rukh is such a large part of my career repertoire. I’ve done my first five films with him, and he’s the reason I stand here today. So for him to have come last year and me this year, it’s like life feels like a complete circle.”

On a lighter note, Johar shared what he was most looking forward to at the event. “My daughter wants me to meet Sabrina Carpenter, so if I get to meet her, I’ll win many brownie points,” he said.

Also Read:Karan Johar at Met Gala 2026: How KJo turned a red carpet moment into Bollywood’s global soft power statement

Tags : Debut, Down Memory Lane, Down The Memory Lane, Fashion, Features, Flashback, Karan Johar, MET Gala, Met Gala 2026, Shah Rukh Khan, Throwback