Shah Rukh Khan’s Met Gala Debut: A Mixed Reception
The first Monday of May witnessed a significant moment for South Asian and Indian cinema enthusiasts as Shah Rukh Khan, a global icon, graced the blue carpet of the Met Gala in New York City. This appearance marked his debut at the highly anticipated and exclusive event, solidifying his status as a major figure on the world stage.
Fondly known as "King Khan" to his legions of fans, the announcement of his attendance alongside acclaimed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee generated immense excitement. Khan’s attire, crafted by Mukherjee, was a study in sophisticated elegance. He sported an all-black ensemble featuring a floor-length, elongated coat meticulously tailored from Tasmanian superfine wool and adorned with monogrammed, Japanese horn buttons. Underneath, a crepe de chine silk shirt complemented the tailored superfine wool trousers, showcasing a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary styles.
Enthusiastic fans, eager to witness the star’s presence, gathered outside the Mandarin Oriental hotel on New York’s Upper West Side, a location approximately two miles from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Their hopes were high for a glimpse of their beloved "King Khan" and perhaps even a coveted selfie. However, the atmosphere shifted as fans observed the media coverage on the red carpet, where interviewers seemingly lacked familiarity with Khan’s immense global stature.
Prior to his grand entrance onto the blue carpet, Shah Rukh Khan engaged in a conversation with Vogue’s livestream co-hosts, Ego Nwodim and Teyana Taylor. During the interview, Nwodim inquired about his feelings on becoming the first male Bollywood actor to participate in the Met Gala. Khan responded with humility, stating, "I don’t know about history, but I’m extremely nervous. Sabyasachi, who convinced me to come here," he added, acknowledging the designer’s role in his attendance. Khan further expressed his shyness and emphasized that this was his first experience at the Met Gala. However, he conveyed his delight in being present and admired the co-hosts.
When questioned about his excitement surrounding the event, Khan shared that he was thrilled to be doing it for his "little kids who are very excited about Met." Following a discussion about the intricacies of his outfit, Sabyasachi Mukherjee offered further context to the interviewers. He highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s global recognition, stating, "Shah Rukh Khan is probably one of the most famous men in the world, and his fan following is legendary. We nearly had a stampede outside the hotel when he came out."
Mukherjee emphasized the significance of Khan’s representation on the red carpet, particularly within the context of the "Black Dandy" theme. "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," he asserted. "We wanted to represent Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan and nobody else." In response, Nwodim acknowledged Mukherjee’s efforts, stating, "Well Sabya, I think you did your thing."
The interview, however, triggered widespread disappointment among fans who felt that the interviewers demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding Shah Rukh Khan’s global prominence. Content creator Jeremy Franco voiced his frustration in a video that quickly garnered over five million views on Instagram. "They didn’t know who Shah Rukh Khan is?!?! "The carpet was lucky he walked on it!" Franco exclaimed in the video, capturing the sentiments of many fans.
In response to the criticism, a Vogue representative issued a statement to the New York Times, clarifying that Nwodim had acknowledged Khan’s status as the first male Bollywood star to attend the event and alluded to the significance of his presence during the livestream. The representative further stated that any perceived slight or lack of recognition was "certainly not intentional" regarding the livestream cutting away from Diljit so quickly. Vogue did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for a comment.
Shah Rukh Khan, aged 59, is a Bollywood icon who has starred in over 80 films throughout his illustrious career spanning nearly three decades. While his early roles often portrayed him as an anti-hero, Khan transitioned into a megastar through a series of successful romantic comedies and family dramas, including iconic films such as "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayengay (DDLJ)," "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham," "Devdas," "Kal Ho Naa Ho," and "Veer Zaara."
A statue commemorating Khan and his "DDLJ" co-star Kajol, celebrating the film’s 30th anniversary, was scheduled to be unveiled in London’s Leicester Square on May 7. However, the unveiling has been postponed due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, according to The Standard.
Beyond his acting achievements, Shah Rukh Khan has received numerous accolades and state honors. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2005, while the Government of France bestowed upon him the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007 and the Legion of Honour in 2014. In 2018, he received the World Economic Forum’s prestigious Crystal Award for his leadership in advocating for children’s and women’s rights in India.
In 2023, Time magazine recognized Shah Rukh Khan as one of the world’s most influential people. Forbes estimated in 2015 that his earnings made him arguably the biggest movie star globally. Esquire Australia recently ranked him as the fourth richest actor in the world, trailing closely behind Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Tom Cruise.
Khan also owns a production company named Red Chillies Entertainment and an Indian Premier League franchise called Kolkata Knight Riders, which emerged as the champions of IPL 2024. Despite his widespread success, Shah Rukh Khan is yet to make his Hollywood debut, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his potential entry into the Western film industry.
