‘I’m Shah Rukh’: At Met Gala debut, Shah Rukh Khan asked to introduce himself, fans outraged-OxBig News Network

Shah Rukh Khan attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition on Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York.
| Photo Credit: AP

Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan made his debut at the Met Gala blue carpet on Tuesday (May 6, 2025, India time) in New York, dazzling in an all-black Sabyasachi ensemble. It was a historic moment as Khan became the first Indian male actor to attend the Met—along with Diljit Dosanjh.

Even as many around the world tuned in for Khan’s iconic debut, a section of the western press covering the event live seemed unaware of his global stature, with one reporter seemingly asking him his name. In one of the clips that have gone viral from the event, SRK is heard introducing himself to reporters, saying, “I’m Shah Rukh.”

One of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan is the fourth richest actor in the world, according to a recent list by Esquire Magazine. Khan’s films have transcended borders and left a lasting impact on global popular culture. As such, fans on social media were understandably outraged with a part of the media covering the MET. Terms such as ‘clueless’ and ‘disrespectful’ were used in posts decrying the treatment meted out to Khan. The incident has an echo of tennis player Maria Sharapova once saying she did not know who Sachin Tendulkar was.

Besides Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kiara Advani and designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee from India walked the blue carpet at the Met Gala 2025.

The Met Gala is dubbed one of fashion’s shiniest nights, held annually on the first Monday (ET) of May. It is an annual fundraising affair for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

This year, the Institute’s spring exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” was the official theme of the night, spotlighting the sartorial tradition of Black Dandyism.