Bollywood actress Kajol on Wednesday posted a handmade thread artifact on Instagram, celebrating the recent Met Gala 2026 and crediting her collaborators Karan Johar and designer Manish Malhotra for their roles in the prestigious event. The post marks a moment of artistic camaraderie among the trio, who have maintained close professional ties for decades.

Kajol's handmade creation

The actress shared an image of a thread-based artifact with a distinctive aesthetic, captioning it: "Since tis the season of MET here's something handmade by moi! It's about the karigars right @manishmalhotra05 @karanjohar". The post underscores her appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship and the skilled workers — karigars — behind haute couture.

Karan Johar's Met Gala debut

Karan Johar, the filmmaker and producer, made his Met Gala debut this year in an ensemble designed by Manish Malhotra, inspired by the works of painter Raja Ravi Varma. The outfit, described as a "moving canvas," featured hand-painted elements and a long cape, aligning with the gala's "Costume Art" theme.

Johar's reflection on the milestone

In his Instagram post, Johar penned a note of gratitude, reflecting on the significance of the moment. He wrote: "From loving cinema and costume as a wide-eyed dreamer to standing on the steps of THE Met Gala…life really does come full circle in the most unexpected ways. This moment wasn't just about fashion for me." He emphasised that the appearance was fundamentally about storytelling and cultural representation.

"About taking the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma and letting it live again… this time, not on canvas, but in motion. To representing India and our culture, our art and our storytelling on the global 'steps'. Thirty years of friendship and collaboration with Manish Malhotra and still creating firsts together, so grateful to you and your team for this core memory", Johar added.

The Met Gala context

The Met Gala is an annual haute couture fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute on the Museum Mile of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious and glamorous fashion event, attracting global celebrities, designers, and cultural figures.

A decades-long creative partnership

The posts by both Kajol and Johar highlight the enduring bond among the three personalities, with Malhotra's design acumen serving as the creative backbone. Johar's Met Gala appearance marks a significant milestone in his career, blending his passion for cinema and costume with global fashion diplomacy.