Karan Johar Raja Ravi Varma Debut and the Hrithik Roshan Dhoom 2 Viral Moment at Met Gala 2026

The 2026 Met Gala has officially wrapped, and while the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art saw global icons, the Indian contingent turned the “Fashion Is Art” theme into a masterclass of heritage and internet wit. From historic debuts to memes that broke the desi internet, here is everything you need to know about the night fashion became a gallery.

The Masterpiece: Karan Johar’s Raja Ravi Varma Debut

In a year where the dress code was literally “Fashion Is Art,” filmmaker Karan Johar didn’t just walk the carpet; he carried an entire era of Indian history. Making his highly anticipated Met Gala debut, Johar collaborated with ace designer Manish Malhotra to pay homage to the legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma.

• The Look: A majestic hand-painted cape and ensemble titled “Framed In Eternity.”
• The Craftsmanship: The outfit featured intricate gold-threaded hand painting directly onto the fabric, mirroring Varma’s oil-on-canvas technique. It took over 80 traditional artisans and 5,600 hours of labor to complete the zardozi borders and three-dimensional lotus motifs.
• The Vision: Johar shared that he wanted to remain “authentically Indian” without any digital prints or simulations, treating his own presence as a canvas for classical art.

The Viral Twist: Hrithik Roshan and the “Dhoom 2” Connection

While Karan Johar held the fort for the filmmakers, Hrithik Roshan became the talk of the town without even being in New York.

As Hollywood stars like Heidi Klum arrived in sculpted, avant-garde silhouettes, Indian netizens immediately spotted a resemblance to Hrithik’s iconic statue-disguise from the movie Dhoom 2. The comparison went viral instantly, with fans claiming that Hrithik’s 2006 “museum heist” look was actually twenty years ahead of the 2026 Met Gala theme.

Indian Royalty and Global Icons

The Indian presence was stronger than ever, proving that “Pan-India” is now a global sentiment:

• Isha Ambani: Channeled Indian frescoes in a stunning gold-threaded sari.
• The Jaipur Royals: Princess Gauravi Kumari and Maharaja Padmanabh Singh brought regal heirloom fashion to the forefront.
• Global Leaders: Co-chairs Beyoncé (in skeleton-inspired couture) and Anne Hathaway (in a dress painted live on the carpet) led a night that blurred the lines between sculpture, painting, and clothing.