From diplomacy to Bollywood: Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim sings Kishore Kumar at BRICS
Diplomacy took an unexpected Bollywood turn at the BRICS gala in New Delhi as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim grabbed the spotlight with a rendition of Kishore Kumar’s timeless “Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat”.
Anwar, who was in India for the 18th BRICS Summit, broke into the much-loved Hindi classic during the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The moment brought a distinctly Indian touch to an otherwise formal gathering of world leaders and dignitaries.
Anwar’s Kishore Kumar moment
The song, from the 1965 film Teen Deviyan, was originally sung by Kishore Kumar and picturised on Bollywood icon Dev Anand. It was composed by S D Burman, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Anwar’s performance quickly became a talking point, with the Malaysian leader showing his familiarity and affection for Indian popular culture.
His relaxed performance stood in sharp contrast to the protocol-heavy proceedings normally associated with major diplomatic summits.
The rendition also revived memories of Anwar’s earlier musical appearances involving Indian film music.
Reports noted that the Malaysian leader has previously showcased his fondness for Kishore Kumar and Indian cinema, adding another layer to his latest performance in Delhi.
When diplomacy got a Bollywood soundtrack
The musical interlude came as leaders and senior representatives gathered in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India on September 12-13.
The summit itself has been dominated by major geopolitical and economic issues, with the expanded BRICS grouping grappling with divisions over the war in the Middle East, global trade and the future of the international order.
Reuters reported that BRICS countries had agreed on a joint declaration after negotiations over differences between members including Iran and the UAE.
Against that backdrop, Anwar’s song offered a lighter, more personal moment — one that moved the spotlight briefly away from geopolitics and towards culture.
India-Malaysia ties in focus
Anwar’s visit also came amid continued efforts to 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 seeking closer cooperation across several areas, with their relationship elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Anwar’s 2024 visit to India.
Anwar’s latest Bollywood moment added an informal cultural dimension to those diplomatic ties — demonstrating how cinema and music can sometimes create a more spontaneous connection than official speeches and agreements.
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