Diljit Dosanjh's debut at the Met Gala 2025 was nothing short of a royal affair, with the Punjabi singer and actor making a grand entrance in a custom-designed ensemble that paid homage to his heritage. The outfit, crafted by Prabal Gurung, was inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and featured an ivory sherwani, a matching cape intricately embroidered with a map of Punjab and Gurmukhi script, a traditional turban, and a kirpan.

The singer himself was deeply moved by the final look. In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit revealed that he had tears in his eyes when he first envisioned his Met Gala outfit while sitting in his vanity van during the shoot of Sardaarji 3. He knew, he said, that "when I go there no one will have eyes on anyone else. Even if they show me less, but when I go no one else will be visible." This confidence stemmed from his desire to represent Punjab and Sikh culture on a global stage. "It wasn't important that I go there, it was important that Punjab goes there, that the turban goes there," he emphasized. "That thought alone made me cry."

Dosanjh's look resonated with the theme "Tailored for You," a nod to the exhibit called “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," blending Punjabi royalty with a modern vision. Netizens praised Prabal Gurung for capturing the essence of "dandy the Indian way.” The choice of attire also cleverly aligned with the event's focus on menswear, highlighting the elegance and cultural significance of traditional Sikh clothing.

Adding to the cultural significance, Diljit carried a kirpan, a symbol of Sikh strength and pride. He also sported jewelry from Cartier, including the Nature Sauvage Tigre bracelet with emerald eyes, a Panthère watch in rose gold, and a Panthère de Cartier ring.

Interestingly, Diljit shared an anecdote about how he managed to carry his kirpan to the event, with help from Shakira. He recalled being told he couldn't carry the kirpan to the event, so he requested permission to at least click photos with it backstage. However, in the rush of the moment, he ended up sitting in the car with the kirpan still in his hand and Shakira was ahead of him, and her dress had a lot of metal pins and such.

The singer's ensemble wasn't just a fashion statement; it was a powerful representation of South Asian identity on a global platform. Social media erupted with praise for Diljit, with many celebrating him as the first turbaned actor-singer to grace the Met Gala. Fans expressed their pride in seeing Punjabi culture represented so prominently, with one user noting, "With the map of Punjab etched behind him and Gurmukhi scripted like poetry across it, he stands as a proud symbol of heritage."

Despite the overwhelming positive response, some critics questioned the attire, labeling it a "costume" and questioning its relevance to the Met Gala's theme. Some questioned the necessity and relevance of the sword case. However, Diljit has remained steadfast in his commitment to representing his culture on global stages.

Furthermore, a video went viral showing Nicole Scherzinger catching Diljit using ChatGPT, to which he replied, "I am learning English." Another clip captured Shakira suggesting they create an Indian version of her famous track "Hips Don't Lie" after carpooling with Diljit.

Whether one agreed with the cultural representation or not, Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala debut undeniably sparked conversations about cultural representation, fashion, and the fine line between homage and appropriation.