Karan Johar’s Met Gala debut is pure drama and deeply rooted in Indian art

Dressed in a custom look by his longtime friend and collaborator Manish Malhotra, Johar’s ensemble was rooted in storytelling. The outfit, titled Framed in Eternity, took inspiration from the works of legendary Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma – and you could see that influence instantly.

He wore a sharp, structured jacket with strong shoulders, layered over a dramatic hand-painted cape that flowed behind him. And this wasn’t just any cape – it stretched nearly six feet and featured intricate artwork inspired by some of Varma’s most iconic paintings. The whole look felt less like couture and more like he’d stepped out as a living, breathing canvas.