On May 5, 2025, Diljit Dosanjh, the Punjabi singer-actor who skyrocketed from regional music to global stardom with Coachella performances and Hollywood roles, made a jaw-dropping Met Gala debut. His custom Prabal Gurung ensemble, a masterful blend of Punjabi heritage and modern flair, stole the show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” gala. Crowned with a jeweled turban and wielding a lion-headed kirpan, Diljit embodied a modern Maharaja, earning him the title of “King” from fans worldwide. Here’s how he owned the night.
A Punjabi Masterpiece
Diljit Dosanjh (@diljitdosanjh) made history at the 2025 Met Gala in custom @PrabalGurung, blending Punjabi royalty with modern swagger, crowned by a jeweled turban and layers of necklace by @golecha_jewels inspired by @maharaja.panjab. The ivory sherwani and flowing cape, designed by Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung, were embroidered with the Gurmukhi script’s Mool Mantra and a golden map of Punjab, paying tribute to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. Styled by Abhilasha Devnani, the look was a bold nod to Sikh identity, accessorized with Cartier’s Nature Sauvage and Panthère pieces dripping in emeralds and diamonds.
The ensemble reimagined Black dandyism’s elegance through a Punjabi lens. While dandyism often features a walking stick, Diljit swapped it for a lion-headed, jewel-encrusted kirpan—a Sikh symbol of strength and sovereignty. His jewelry, including a Panthère watch and ring, added imperial sparkle, though his team’s request to use the historic Patiala necklace was denied, a missed opportunity to channel the Maharaja’s legacy fully. Still, the look commanded attention, balancing cultural reverence with high-fashion audacity.
A Cultural Milestone
As the first turbaned actor-singer at the Met Gala, Diljit carried Punjabi and Sikh pride to a global stage. His cape’s Gurmukhi script and Punjab map weren’t just aesthetic but a statement of identity. Paparazzi swarmed the Carlyle Hotel to capture him, a frenzy reflecting his global fandom built through music, films, and performances at Coachella and Paris Fashion Week.
However, not all reactions were uncritical. Some fashion purists on X questioned whether the kirpan and heavy embroidery strayed too far from the gala’s Black dandyism theme, with one user noting, “Stunning, but is it more Maharaja than Met Gala?” While these critiques were a minority, they highlight the challenge of blending cultural specificity with a prescribed theme—a tension Diljit navigated with confidence.
India’s Red Carpet Reign
Diljit’s triumph was part of a historic Indian wave at the Met Gala 2025. Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, and designer Manish Malhotra also debuted, marking a high point for Bollywood’s global influence. Diljit mingled with stars like Shakira and Nicole Scherzinger, his ease captured in pre-red carpet photoshoots. Fresh off his Dil-luminati Tour and with a single, “Buck,” featuring Jackson Wang set for May 9, 2025, Diljit’s Met Gala moment solidified his status as a cultural and style icon.
The Verdict: A King’s Legacy
Diljit Dosanjh’s Met Gala 2025 debut was a triumph of culture and couture. His Punjabi-inspired look—bold, authentic, and majestic—redefined global fashion while honoring his roots. Though the Patiala necklace’s absence was a minor setback, and some debated the theme’s fit, Diljit’s impact was undeniable. As @PunjabiVibesX summed it up, “Diljit didn’t just walk the red carpet—he owned it. Dandy the Indian way! Here’s to a star who’s rewriting the rules, one iconic moment at a time.
Similar Posts
