Karan Johar to Make Met Gala Debut as Deepika Padukone Skips 2026 Edition

Key facts

• Met Gala 2026 takes place on May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
• Theme is 'Costume Art' with dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
• Co-chairs are Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour; Lisa is on the host committee.
• Karan Johar will attend his first Met Gala, confirmed by sources.
• Deepika Padukone will not attend; she is on vacation with Ranveer Singh after announcing second pregnancy.
• Indian viewers can watch the red carpet live on Vogue's YouTube from 3:30 am IST on May 5.
• The spring exhibition opens May 10.

Johar’s Debut and Padukone’s Absence Reshape Indian Contingent

Karan Johar, the prolific Indian filmmaker and producer, is set to make his first appearance at the Met Gala on May 4, 2026, according to sources close to the event. The confirmation ends weeks of speculation about his attendance, which had been fueled by industry rumors. Johar, who watched from the sidelines in 2025, is expected to wear a custom creation by Manish Malhotra, aligning with this year’s artistic dress code. Deepika Padukone, however, will not walk the carpet this year. The actress, who was heavily rumored to return alongside her husband Ranveer Singh, is currently on vacation with Singh. The couple recently announced their second pregnancy via an Instagram post showing their daughter Dua holding a positive pregnancy test. Padukone and Singh married in 2018 and welcomed Dua in September 2024.

Theme and Dress Code: ‘Costume Art’ Meets ‘Fashion Is Art’

The 78th Met Gala will be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art under the theme ‘Costume Art,’ paired with a dress code titled ‘Fashion Is Art.’ The theme applies to the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, which opens May 10, while the dress code guides attendees’ red-carpet choices. Organizers describe the brief as deliberately open-ended, allowing designers to pursue avant-garde statements or classic interpretations. The event raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour are responsible for planning the evening, selecting the theme, setting the dress code, and curating the guest list. Lisa, of Blackpink fame, serves on the host committee.

Indian Celebrities Expected on the Carpet: From Priyanka Chopra to Alia Bhatt

Beyond Johar, several Indian stars are rumored to attend. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, described as a trailblazer for the Indian film industry at the Met Gala, is expected to return with high-drama couture. Alia Bhatt, following acclaimed appearances in recent years, is anticipated to walk again, likely spotlighting indigenous Indian textiles and craftsmanship. Businesswoman and musician Ananya Birla is also rumored to join the guest list for the first time. Designer Manish Malhotra, who made a striking appearance in 2025, is expected back both as an attendee and to style other guests. Natasha Poonawalla, a Met Gala regular, is likely to blend avant-garde fashion with heritage design, and her accessories—particularly vintage jewelry and horology—are closely watched by style observers.

Global Star Power: Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams Lead as Co-Chairs

The 2026 guest list, while officially undisclosed, is expected to include Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams, and Sarah Pidgeon. BTS fans speculate the K-pop group may make their Met Gala debut. Jeff and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, as honorary chairs and lead sponsors, will also attend. The event will be streamed live on Vogue’s YouTube channel for Indian viewers starting at 3:30 am IST on May 5. In the US, coverage begins at 6 pm ET on Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV.

Padukone’s Pregnancy Announcement and Personal Milestones

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announced their second pregnancy on Instagram with a photo of their daughter Dua holding a positive pregnancy test. The caption included two evil eye emojis. The couple, who met on the set of ‘Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela’ in 2013, got engaged in 2015 and married on November 14, 2018, in Lake Como, Italy, with ceremonies reflecting Padukone’s Konkani heritage and Singh’s Sindhi roots. Their first child, Dua, was born on September 8, 2024.

What the Absence of Padukone Means for the Indian Presence

Padukone’s decision to skip the Met Gala this year, while personal, reshapes the narrative around the Indian contingent. Her previous appearances have been among the most anticipated, often setting trends in structural silhouettes and luxury. With Johar stepping in for his debut and other veterans like Chopra and Bhatt expected, the Indian presence remains strong, but Padukone’s absence leaves a notable gap. The focus now shifts to how Johar and others interpret the ‘Fashion Is Art’ dress code, and whether the rumored attendees will deliver the artistic statements the theme invites.

The bottom line

• Karan Johar will attend his first Met Gala, confirmed by sources; Deepika Padukone will not attend due to her second pregnancy and vacation.
• The Met Gala 2026 theme is ‘Costume Art’ with dress code ‘Fashion Is Art’; co-chairs include Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.
• Indian celebrities rumored to attend include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, Natasha Poonawalla, Manish Malhotra, and Ananya Birla.
• The event takes place May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Indian viewers can stream live on Vogue’s YouTube from 3:30 am IST on May 5.
• Padukone and Singh announced their second pregnancy; their daughter Dua was born in September 2024.