Published: 10:23 AM, 16 September 2026
Malaysian PM’s post-BRICS Bollywood playlist goes viral
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi may have been dominated by geopolitics, but Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given social media users a different talking point with his Bollywood-inspired soundtrack for the trip.
Ibrahim has paired several songs from popular Hindi films with photos and videos from his India visit, with many of his choices reflecting themes of friendship, togetherness and cultural diversity, the NDTV reports.
In an Instagram video showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming him to Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the summit, Ibrahim used “Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam” from the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol-starrer “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” .
For another photograph with Modi, he chose “Dil Toh Pagal Hai” , the title track from the Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor-starrer “Dil To Pagal Hai” .
The Malaysian leader selected “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega” from the 2000 Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta film of the same name for photographs of himself addressing the BRICS Summit.
He used “Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe” from “Lakshya” in a video showing his departure from India. Both songs carry themes of unity and moving forward together.
Ibrahim also met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during his India visit. For photographs of a meal with the Opposition leaders, he chose “Aisa Des Hai Mera” from “Veer-Zaara”, a song celebrating India’s cultural diversity.
Another notable selection accompanied his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Ibrahim used “Saathi Haath Badhana” from the 1957 film “Naya Daur”, whose message centres on people joining hands and working together.
For a photograph with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ibrahim selected “Chale Chalo” from Aamir Khan’s 2001 film “Lagaan”, again evoking the idea of moving forward together.
The playlist has drawn attention online for the way the Malaysian prime minister has matched familiar Bollywood songs with different moments from his diplomatic engagements in India.
The BRICS Summit itself brought together 32 delegations, according to Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.
They comprised 11 delegations from BRICS member states, 10 partner countries, four regional bodies and seven international organisations.
Jaishankar said the summit was held against the backdrop of a “very polarised world”, with major conflicts and deep divisions, but said the participating countries were still able to reach consensus.
“The BRICS Summit was taking place in a very polarised world – there were two major conflicts, big divides and very strong opinions and interests,” he said. “Even in the midst of this polarisation, we actually forged a consensus.”
