Ananya Birla definitely turned heads at the 2026 Met Gala—she became the first active IPL team owner to hit the red carpet. And honestly, she didn't play it safe. In the photo from WhatsApp Image 2026-05-06 at 11.48.01 AM (1), you see her rocking this wild steel mask that'll stick in your memory. People couldn’t stop talking about it online.

Birla tapped into the “Fashion Is Art” theme in a big way, showing up in a dramatic black couture outfit made by London designer Robert Wun. The real showstopper was her mask, which Indian artist Subodh Gupta made out of stainless steel. He took kitchen utensils—stuff you’d find in almost any home—and transformed them into something that looked like futuristic armor.

This moment felt bigger than just fashion. Birla is stepping out as one of the new female faces of IPL ownership, joining Kavya Maran after the Aditya Birla Group bought the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Her masked look shook up the usual red carpet vibe, drawing the spotlight to her story and making everyone rethink what it means to be seen.