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Macron Meets Bollywood Legends in Mumbai, Calls Them "Icons of Indian Cinema"

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron met prominent Bollywood figures including Anil Kapoor and Manoj Bajpayee during their visit to Mumbai. Macron shared pictures of the gathering on social media, highlighting culture as a unifying force. The French leaders also paid solemn tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks upon arrival. The delegation will now proceed to Delhi to participate in the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Key Points: Macron Meets Bollywood Stars Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee in Mumbai

  • Macron held special interaction with Bollywood stars
  • Tribute paid to 2008 Mumbai attack victims
  • Visit underscores India-France cultural ties
  • Delegation to attend AI Summit in Delhi
  • Meeting included filmmakers and musicians
2 min read

French President Macron meets Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar during Mumbai visit, calls them "legends of Indian cinema"

French President Emmanuel Macron met Bollywood celebrities like Anil Kapoor and Manoj Bajpayee in Mumbai, calling them "legends of Indian cinema" during his state visit.

"Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together. - Emmanuel Macron"

New Delhi, February 17

French President Emmanuel Macron added a touch of cinematic glamour to his diplomatic visit to Mumbai, holding a special interaction with Bollywood celebrities on Tuesday.

The French leader and First Lady Brigitte Macron met prominent figures of Indian cinema including actors like Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadha, and Shabana Azmi.

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar also joined the special meeting along with Grammy Award-winning musician Ricky Kej.

Taking to his official X handle, Macron shared pictures of their gathering, showing the leader interacting with the celebrities. "Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together," he wrote in the caption.

Actor Anil Kapoor also shared glimpses of the meeting on his X handle and wrote, "Spent an inspiring afternoon with President Emmanuel Macron and his gracious better half, Brigitte exchanging thoughts on cinema, culture, and the powerful bridge between India and France. Here's to India x France. And to many more stories waiting to be told."

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Mumbai in the early hours of Tuesday for their scheduled India visit till February 19.

The French President and First Lady Brigitte Macron were received by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Mumbai airport.

In the morning hours, Macron was seen jogging with a team of security personnel, including French and Indian officials.

In a poignant moment reflecting international solidarity against terrorism, French President Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron paid a solemn tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks upon their arrival.

Following the Mumbai engagements, the delegation will travel to Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, this event marks the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South.

The India AI Impact Summit is designed as a five-day programme anchored on three foundational pillars, or "Sutras": People, Planet, and Progress.

The participation of the French President underscores the importance both nations attach to emerging technologies, building on PM Modi's co-chairing of the AI Action Summit with Macron in Paris in February 2025.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Good to see the diplomatic visit include our soft power. But honestly, I hope the AI summit talks in Delhi yield more concrete results for our tech sector. That's where the real future lies, not just photo ops.
A
Anjali F
The tribute at the 26/11 memorial was the most important part of his Mumbai visit. Never forget. Respect to President Macron for paying his respects. Jai Hind.
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Vikram M
Anil Kapoor still looking energetic as ever! 😄 Interesting mix of people - from mainstream Bollywood to an indie icon like Manoj Bajpayee and a musician like Ricky Kej. Shows the diversity of our creative industry.
K
Karan T
Strong ties with France are crucial. From Rafale jets to AI summits and now cultural exchanges - it's a multifaceted relationship. Hope this leads to more co-productions between Indian and French filmmakers.
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Sarah B
As someone who loves both French and Indian cinema, this is fantastic news! The world needs more cultural bridges. Zoya Akhtar's presence is great - her storytelling would resonate well with international audiences.

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