When Diljit Dosanjh hit the red carpet of the 2025 Met Gala, he arrived with more than aesthetics—he arrived with heritage. The international celebrity, famous for his best-selling albums and charismatic on-stage presence, celebrated his Punjabi heritage with an awe-inspiring traditional ensemble that drew inspiration from none other than Patiala’s Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. The attire was perfectly in sync with the theme of the gala, The Garden of Time: Black Dandyism, providing a mix of cultural luxury and regal elegance.
This Maharaja Inspired Costume of Diljit Dosanjh
The outfit of Diljit Dosanjh was a white turban, an ethereal kurta, a resplendent tehelka, and well-picked traditional jewellery. It was not merely fashion—it was a statement based on identity, heritage, and legacy.
#MetGala2025: Dripping in jewels, #DiljitDosanjh wore his heritage with pride in a #PrabalGurung sherwani—complete with a diamond-layered turban and a lion-headed, jewel-studded kirpan—for a powerful #MetGala debut ? pic.twitter.com/2L57UdSV5f
— GQ India (@gqindia) May 6, 2025
Who Was Maharaja Bhupinder Singh?
Born in 1891 in the Phulkian dynasty, Bhupinder Singh became ruler of Patiala at nine years old with the death of his father, Maharaja Rajinder Singh. Although he was extremely powerful inside India, his influence extended well beyond its geographical borders—particularly in the worlds of sports and foreign diplomacy.
Most noteworthy was that he led India’s first-ever cricketing team to tour England in 1911. Although none of the matches during the tour were considered official Test games, the tour was legendary and even served as the inspiration behind the Oscar-nominated movie Lagaan. The figure of Kachra, inspired by Dalit cricketer Palwankar Baloo, who was led by Bhupinder Singh, was a poignant reminder of the times.
He subsequently participated in 27 first-class games and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He also gifted the Ranji Trophy, India’s top domestic cricket championship.
The Maharaja’s Iconic Lifestyle
Bhupinder Singh was famous for his extravagance and luxury. He had a fleet of 44 Rolls-Royce vehicles, held the world’s largest collection of medals, and ordered what is perhaps the most opulent necklace ever created. Designed in 1928 by Cartier, the “Patiala Necklace” included 2,900 diamonds and weighed more than 1,000 carats—estimated to be worth $2.5 billion today.
He was also the first to own a private airplane and airstrip, another example of his image as a progressive royal.
Met Gala Look of Diljit Dosanjh: A Modern Homage
Stylist of Diljit Dosanjh, Abhilasha Devnani, explained that they had planned to borrow the classic Cartier necklace once donned by the Maharaja. Yet “it sits sealed in a museum,” states The New York Times. For a workable alternative, Indian jeweller Golecha was tasked to create the spirit of the Maharaja’s collection of jewellery. This involved a majestic turban brooch which gave Diljit’s appearance a royal touch.
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Despite the minor digression from the original work, Diljit’s attire was a perfect contemporary reinterpretation of Bhupinder Singh’s legendary 1920s look. From his swagger to his tailoring, the singer’s appearance paid tribute to one of Punjab’s greatest rulers perfectly.
A Star-Studded Indian Presence
Diljit was not the sole Indian to create ripples at the Met Gala. He was accompanied by Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan, global phenomenon Priyanka Chopra, and actresses Kiara Advani and socialites Isha Ambani and Natasha Poonawala.
Indian fashion heavy-hitters Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, and Prabal Gurung showcased their creations at the event, ensuring a powerful Indian presence on one of the globe’s most-viewed fashion stages.
