Bollywood stars Manoj Bajpayee and Anil Kapoor turned heads by joining French President Emmanuel Macron for a high-profile lunch in Mumbai, kicking off his 2026 India visit. The meeting sparked buzz about deepening India-France cultural and cinematic collaborations.
Taking to Instagram, Bajpayee posted a photo with Macron, calling the interaction ‘an honor.’ He delved into the lunch discussions, praising the French leader’s engaging warmth and the insightful exchanges on how cinema and narratives can bridge nations. ‘It reminds us of the importance of visionary leadership and cultural conversations in our complex world,’ Bajpayee reflected, spotlighting potential boosts to India-France creative partnerships.
Not to be outdone, Anil Kapoor shared his own images alongside Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. Describing it as motivational, he highlighted the vibrant dialogue on films, heritage, and bilateral relations. ‘India-France friendship in the name of those untold stories,’ Kapoor enthused.
Macron’s itinerary spans February 17-19, starting in Mumbai before heading to New Delhi for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. Invited by PM Modi, this is his fourth official sojourn here, aimed at elevating the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’ for strategic ties.
Talks will cover defense, including possible Rafale jet deals and joint ventures, alongside trade, tech advancements, AI innovations, and pressing global matters. The visit promises to propel cooperation in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and defense tech, signaling a new era of Indo-French synergy.