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Bollywood songs have become an unexpected part of the social media buzz surrounding the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, thanks to Malaysian Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim. As world leaders return home after the summit, Ibrahim’s Instagram posts from his India visit have caught the attention of social media users, particularly for the Bollywood tracks he chose to accompany his pictures and videos. When sharing a video of his arrival at Bharat Mandapam, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him, Ibrahim used the popular song Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam from Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
His musical choices continued in another post featuring him with PM Modi, where he used Dil Toh Pagal Hai, the title track from the Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor-starrer Dil To Pagal Hai.
For pictures of himself participating in the BRICS Summit, Ibrahim opted for Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega from the 2000 Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta-starrer Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega. He later used Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe from Lakshya in a video showing his departure from India.
Both songs carry themes of unity and togetherness, making them notable choices for posts documenting the summit and his India visit.
Ibrahim also met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during his visit. Sharing pictures from a meal with the Opposition leaders, the Malaysian Prime Minister used Aisa Des Hai Mera from Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta’s Veer-Zaara, a song celebrating India’s cultural diversity.
His choice of music also extended to his diplomatic engagements with other countries. For a post featuring his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Ibrahim selected Saathi Haath Badhana from the 1957 film Naya Daur. The song’s theme of joining hands and working together appeared to complement the diplomatic message of the meeting.
Similarly, for a picture with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ibrahim chose Chale Chalo from Aamir Khan’s 2001 film Lagaan, another track associated with moving forward together.
Ibrahim was not the only foreign leader to bring Bollywood music into his India visit. Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono also used music from Dil Dhadakne Do in posts related to President Prabowo Subianto’s visit.
The unusual combination of diplomacy and Bollywood music has since become one of the more talked-about elements of the BRICS Summit on social media.
