Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim added a song from the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to a video featuring PM Modi.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Bollywood playlist has become a topic of discussion on social media after the 18th BRICS Summit. He has used popular Bollywood songs with various photographs and videos from his visit to India.
The song chosen for each photograph appeared to be linked to the occasion. On his reel with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders, Anwar Ibrahim used ‘Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam’ from Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s film ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’.
In another photograph with Modi, he used the title song from Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Karisma Kapoor’s film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’
“Chale Chalo” with Putin
In a photo with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Anwar Ibrahim added the song “Chale Chalo” from Aamir Khan’s film “Lagaan.” Through this song, too, he conveyed a message of moving forward together.
“Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega” on his own photos
On photos of himself addressing the BRICS Summit, Anwar used the song “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega” from the Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta film of the same name. In a farewell video from India, he used the song “Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe” from the film “Lakshya.” Both songs convey a message of coming together and unity.
“Aisa Des Hai Mera” with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi
During his India visit, Anwar Ibrahim also met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Sharing photos of their meal together, he added the song “Aisa Des Hai Mera” from the film “Veer-Zaara.” The song depicts India’s cultural diversity.
“Saathi Haath Badhana” with the Iranian President
On a photo of his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Anwar added the song “Saathi Haath Badhana” from the 1957 film “Naya Daur.” The song conveys a message of moving forward together.
Sang Kishore-Mukesh songs at BRICS dinner
Anwar Ibrahim sang Kishore Kumar’s famous song “Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat” at the BRICS Summit dinner on 12 September. He also hummed Mukesh’s song “Dost Dost Na Raha.”
Anwar shared a video of this on his social media account on X. He wrote, “Guru, thoda sa gaane ki ijazat hai?” (Guru, may I sing a little?) The video is around one and a half minutes long.
Anwar is a Kishore Kumar fan, has hummed this song before
Malaysia’s PM has previously spoken about being a fan of Kishore Kumar. He had also hummed the same song during an interview in India in 2024.
In addition, during PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia in February 2026, Anwar shared an official video montage that used the popular song “Bole Chudiyan” from the film “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.”
27 lakh people of Indian origin in Malaysia, Bollywood and Tamil films popular
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Malaysia has around 27.5 lakh people of Indian origin, making up nearly 9% of the country’s population. Of these, around 20 lakh speak Tamil. Bollywood and Tamil films are widely watched here.
Shah Rukh Khan’s “Dilwale” earned around ₹29 crore in Malaysia, while “Jawan” made around ₹22 crore and “Pathaan” around ₹9 crore.
Tamil films also have a large market here. Rajinikanth’s “Coolie,” released in 2025, earned around ₹26-27 crore in Malaysia, while Ajith Kumar’s “Good Bad Ugly” made around ₹22 crore.
The 2026 Suriya-starrer “Karuppu” is also among the highest-grossing Indian films in Malaysia, with collections of around ₹22 crore. Meanwhile, Vijay’s “G.O.A.T.” earned around ₹32 crore, and Sivakarthikeyan’s “Amaran” made around ₹26 crore.
