Our Bureau
Mumbai
French President Emmanuel Macron met Bollywood luminaries including Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Shabana Azmi, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha, director Neeraj Ghaywan, and Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej during his three-day visit to India on February 17. The high-profile luncheon underscored deepening India-France cultural exchanges amid discussions on cinema and global storytelling.
Arriving in Mumbai on Monday night with First Lady Brigitte Macron, the President engaged with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on AI cooperation, defence ties, trade, and counter-terrorism, including potential Rafale jet deals. Modi welcomed Macron, noting his fondness for the city and a morning run, calling him a friend on X. Macron, on his fourth India visit, following trips in 2018, 2023 G20, and 2024 Republic Day, shared photos on X, captioning: “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together.”
Anil Kapoor described the afternoon as “inspiring,” posting: “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.” Manoj Bajpayee highlighted the “warmth” and “depth” of talks, emphasizing storytelling’s role in bridging nations and the need for closer India-France film collaboration. The event, part of Macron’s itinerary including the AI Impact Summit, signals stronger bilateral bonds in arts, economy, and technology.
