Malaysia
Anwar Ibrahim’s Bollywood moment at BRICS: Malaysian PM sings Kishore Kumar, then shares SRK-Kajol song with official Instagram post
The BRICS Summit in New Delhi may have concluded, but the connection between India and Malaysia continues to resonate, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s love for Bollywood capturing attention both at the summit and online.
In an official Instagram post, Anwar shared a video featuring glimpses of his visit to the high-profile summit, set to the iconic Bollywood song ‘Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam’ from the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol-starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
Diplomacy also took an unexpected Bollywood turn during the BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi when Anwar Ibrahim took the spotlight with a rendition of Kishore Kumar’s timeless classic ‘Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat’.
Anwar, who was in India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, surprised guests by singing the popular Hindi song during the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The performance added a distinctly Indian cultural touch to an otherwise formal gathering of world leaders and dignitaries.
The song, from the 1965 film Teen Deviyan, was originally sung by Kishore Kumar and picturised on Bollywood legend Dev Anand. It was composed by S D Burman, with lyrics penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Anwar’s performance quickly became a talking point, highlighting the Malaysian leader’s familiarity with and affection for Indian popular culture.
His relaxed rendition stood in contrast to the protocol-heavy proceedings typically associated with high-level diplomatic summits.
India-Malaysia ties in focus
Anwar’s visit also came amid ongoing efforts to further strengthen India-Malaysia relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Anwar on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12.
The two countries have been working to deepen cooperation across several areas, with bilateral ties elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Anwar’s visit to India in 2024.
The Malaysian Prime Minister’s Bollywood-filled BRICS appearances added a cultural dimension to the diplomatic engagement, reflecting the enduring popularity of Indian music and cinema in Malaysia.
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