The 2025 Met Gala featured a plume of South Asian magnificence as Indian celebs walked down the red carpet. Superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, music artist Diljit Dosanjh and Bollywood star Kiara Advani donned the gala with their best looks. In the midst of it, a Pakistani fashion designer acknowledged the star and hailed them for the representation. However, it did not sit well with the netizens.
Zara Shahjahan’s remark on Indian stars
On Tuesday, hours later the Gala happened in New York City, Pakistani fashion designer Zara Shahjahan posted on Instagram, “Last night, two of our stars lit up the Met Gala. Shah Rukh – the dream we grew up with. Diljit – the beat we move to now. And yet, in these moments – when the world opens its doors to the subcontinent, when our artists walk global stages – we are not allowed to clap. Our hands are tied by suspicion, our joy swallowed by our silence”.
She added in another set of Instagram story, “It is a strange thing, to grow up loving someone who may never be allowed to love you back. To dance to their songs, to weep with their films, and now – to see them step into the world’s spotlight and feel like strangers watching from across the wall.” Zara also mentioned the inability of Pakistan to cheer for Indian talent due to the scuffle between two nations.
Fans reaction
A user wrote, “What is there for us to celebrate? Our stars? Humsayo kay bachay hain jo merzi karen. Hum kya karen (They are neighbours’ kids and can do what they want)? Why do our stars, designers, anchors have this middle-child-people-pleasing-urge to own Indian talent, cinema, art? Personally Zara Shahjahan over Sabya anyday but problem is they dont need our support.” Another wrote, “Our celebrities? I am unable to digest this! Since when has SRK been ours? Diljit? Can’t cope with this sadness!”
“Why are we Pakistanis so obsessed with Bollywood celebs. Specially when they go to extreme cases to wage a war on our country when they threaten us,” a comment read.
Rising tensions between Indo-Pak relations
The Pahalgam terror attack shook India to the core, claiming many lives and leaving several injured. In retaliation, the Indian government terminated bilateral trade with Pakistan, issued directives for Pakistani citizens to leave the land, and suspended release of movies and series promoting artists for the latter country.
