Emmanuel Macron meets Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadha in Mumbai; clicks photos with celebs

Emmanuel Macron is in Mumbai on a three-day official visit to India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him with a warm hug. Apart from his engagements with PM Modi, President Macron met leading members of the Indian film industry in Mumbai. The interaction was part of his official itinerary and focused on strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

The attendees included actors Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor, and Manoj Bajpayee; filmmaker Zoya Akhtar; actor-producer Richa Chadha; and Grammy-winning composer Ricky Cage.

Sharing photos from the event, Macron wrote on X, “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture brings us together.”

Anil Kapoor also took to social media to share pictures from the meeting. He wrote, “Spent an inspiring afternoon with President Emmanuel Macron and his gracious better half, Brigitte, 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 shared his experience on X, writing, “It was an honour meeting President Emmanuel Macron at today’s luncheon, along with other dignitaries. What stood out was not just the warmth of the interaction, but the clarity and depth of the exchange around cinema, culture, and the role of storytelling in building bridges between countries.”

He added, “Conversations like these, on how India and France can work together more closely in cinema and culture, remind you of how important thoughtful leadership and cultural dialogue are in today’s world.”

In an official statement, Richa Chadha said the meeting turned into a lively discussion on how India and France could collaborate to make independent cinema more viable. She credited France’s CNC for supporting her journey as both an actor and producer and pointed out that Masaan and Girls Will Be Girls were official Indo-French co-productions. Chadha also referenced Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film as another example of Indo-French collaboration.

Macron arrived in Mumbai on Monday night, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron. His itinerary includes meetings with Indian leaders, participation in the AI Impact Summit, and interactions with personalities from the arts and cultural sectors.

Welcoming Macron to Mumbai, PM Modi described him as a friend. In a post on X, he shared that the French President expressed his fondness for the city and had also enjoyed a morning run earlier in the day.

Earlier in the day, French President Emmanuel Macron was seen jogging at Mumbai’s Marine Drive near the Coastal Road. The video of the same has gone viral on social media.

Why is Macron in Mumbai?

This is Macron’s fourth visit to India, underscoring the continuity of the strong and evolving partnership between the two countries. The ongoing visit highlights the importance of cultural exchange, with cinema and the arts emerging as key pillars of India-France ties.