Diljit Dosanjh Makes Powerful Met Gala Debut in Maharaja-Inspired Ensemble by Prabal Gurung

Punjabi music icon and actor Diljit Dosanjh made a grand entrance at the Met Gala 2025, leaving a lasting impression with a look that married traditional Indian regality with contemporary high fashion. Dressed in an opulent ensemble by celebrated designer Prabal Gurung, Dosanjh honored the event's theme — “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” — while paying homage to his cultural roots through a design inspired by the legendary Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.

The ensemble featured a flowing kurta-tehmat combination, complemented by a traditional Sikh turban and an embroidered cape adorned with Gurmukhi script. A ceremonial sword added a dramatic and authentic finishing touch, drawing widespread admiration for its rich cultural symbolism and meticulous craftsmanship. Yet, fashion observers noted the absence of a historically iconic element — the famed Patiala necklace.

Commissioned in 1928 by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the Patiala necklace is one of the most extravagant pieces ever created by Cartier. Studded with over 2,900 diamonds — including the now-missing 234-carat De Beers diamond — the necklace originally weighed nearly 1,000 carats. Valued today at more than Rs 21,000 crore (approximately $2.5 billion), it remains the most valuable necklace Cartier has ever crafted.

As per stylist Abhilasha Devnani, who played a key role in conceptualizing the look, there were sincere efforts to feature the original necklace. “It sits sealed in a museum,” Devnani told The New York Times, noting the piece's historical significance and fragility as reasons for the denial of the request. “It’s too fragile and historically significant to be loaned for public appearances.”

To compensate for the absence of the necklace, the team collaborated with esteemed Indian jewellers Golecha to design bespoke accessories inspired by the Patiala royal family's treasures. These included a striking turban brooch that offered a refined and regal alternative to the original Cartier creation.

Despite the missing centrepiece, Dosanjh’s debut was widely hailed as one of the standout moments of the evening. Critics and fashion enthusiasts alike praised the artist’s seamless fusion of heritage and haute couture. Speaking to The New York Times, Dosanjh remarked, “It’s what I’ve been doing all this time. It’s about carrying your identity with pride, right?”

The 2025 Met Gala also marked a significant moment for Indian fashion on the world stage, with Bollywood luminaries such as Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Kiara Advani in attendance. Acclaimed designers including Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, and Prabal Gurung showcased the opulence, diversity, and timelessness of Indian fashion, collectively elevating South Asian representation at one of fashion’s most prestigious global events.