It was a monumental evening for South Asian and Indian fans on May 5 as the iconic blue carpet unfurled across the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the Met Gala. The much-anticipated event saw the possible debut of one of the most recognized and admired stars globally—Shah Rukh Khan. This marked a significant cultural moment, with Khan’s name drawing massive buzz across South Asian communities and global fan circles.
Often referred to as “King Khan” by his admirers, Shah Rukh Khan was slated to attend the Met Gala for the first time, making his entrance in collaboration with renowned Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Dressed entirely in black, Khan’s ensemble featured an elegant “floor-length elongated coat in Tasmanian superfine wool with monogrammed, Japanese horn buttons,” paired with a crepe de chine silk shirt and finely tailored superfine wool trousers, as described by the designer himself.
Fans were visibly eager to catch a glimpse of the Bollywood legend, with crowds gathering outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on New York City’s Upper West Side—just a couple of miles from the venue. Many waited for hours, hoping for a selfie or even a fleeting wave from the superstar.
However, the celebratory spirit among fans took a downturn when it became apparent that some members of the American media seemed unfamiliar with Khan. This disconnect led to frustration among his supporters, who expected more recognition for someone they consider a global icon.
Just before entering the blue carpet, Shah Rukh Khan participated in a live interview with Vogue’s livestream co-hosts, Ego Nwodim and Teyana Taylor. The interaction quickly went viral—but not for reasons fans hoped.
When asked by Nwodim how it felt to make history as the first male Bollywood actor to attend the Met Gala, Khan responded modestly: “I don’t know about history, but I’m extremely nervous.”
He went on to credit his designer for encouraging his appearance at the prestigious event, saying, “Sabyasachi, who convinced me to come here. I’ve not done too many red carpets. I’m very shy. For me it’s the first time, but looking at you both, it’s wonderful to be here.”
Asked what aspect of the evening he was most excited about, Khan sweetly answered that he was doing it for his children. “My little kids who are very excited about Met,” he said with a smile.
Mukherjee, who joined the interview mid-conversation, took a moment to explain the significance of Khan’s presence on the carpet. “Shah Rukh Khan is probably one of the most famous men in the world, and his fan following is legendary,” the designer stated. “We nearly had a stampede outside the hotel when he came out.”
Emphasizing the importance of representation, Mukherjee added, “When you get a man like this on the red carpet, especially when it’s Black dandy, I think representation is the most important thing. We wanted to represent Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan and nobody else.”
In reaction, Nwodim responded supportively: “Well Sabya, I think you did your thing.”
But even with that acknowledgment, viewers were quick to pick up on the hosts’ unfamiliarity with Khan, and many fans voiced their displeasure online. Social media platforms lit up with comments criticizing the livestream interview for seemingly lacking context about Khan’s fame and accomplishments.
A particularly viral reaction came from content creator Jeremy Franco, whose Instagram video gathered more than five million views. “They didn’t know who Shah Rukh Khan is?!?!” he exclaimed in disbelief. In the same video, Franco emphasized just how privileged the event was to host Khan, saying, “The carpet was lucky he walked on it!”
Responding to the backlash, a Vogue representative later told The New York Times that Nwodim had, during the livestream, referenced Khan as the first male Bollywood star to attend the Met Gala, acknowledging its significance. The spokesperson also stressed that any perceived slight, including the brief cutaway from another Indian artist Diljit Dosanjh, “was certainly not intentional.” Vogue did not immediately respond to follow-up inquiries from USA TODAY.
For those unfamiliar with Shah Rukh Khan, the numbers and accolades speak for themselves. At 59 years old, he is one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, having acted in over 80 films across nearly 30 years. While he began his career with notable anti-hero portrayals, Khan became widely beloved for his performances in romantic dramas and family films like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ),” “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” “Devdas,” “Kal Ho Na Ho,” and “Veer Zaara.”
In fact, a statue commemorating Khan and his DDLJ co-star Kajol was scheduled to be unveiled in Leicester Square in London on May 7 to mark the 30th anniversary of the iconic film. However, The Standard reported that the event has been postponed due to increasing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Throughout his career, Khan has collected a plethora of honors—not only for his acting talent but also for his contributions to social causes. He received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 2005. The French government recognized him with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007 and the prestigious Legion of Honour in 2014. In 2018, he was awarded the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum for his advocacy of children’s and women’s rights in India.
In 2023, Time magazine named him among the world’s most influential people. According to a 2015 Forbes estimate, Khan’s earnings ranked him as possibly the most financially successful movie star in the world. More recently, Esquire Australia placed him as the fourth richest actor globally, coming in just behind Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Tom Cruise.
Outside the realm of film, Khan is an accomplished entrepreneur. He owns the successful production company Red Chillies Entertainment and co-owns the Kolkata Knight Riders, an Indian Premier League team that clinched the IPL 2024 title.
Interestingly, despite his global fame and massive influence, Khan has yet to make his Hollywood debut. This detail, for many, only underscores the extent of his popularity and success achieved purely through Bollywood and regional media.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Met Gala appearance may have been his first, but judging by the reaction from fans, designers, and even critics, it is likely to be remembered for years to come—not only as a fashion moment, but as a cultural milestone.
