{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim Steals the Show at BRICS Gala Dinner by Singing Kishore Kumar Classics",
  "summary": "During the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim broke the diplomatic ice by passionately singing two evergreen songs by legendary Indian playback singer Kishore Kumar.",
  "content": "The prestigious Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi recently witnessed an extraordinary blend of high-level diplomacy and soulful music during the gala dinner of the 18th BRICS Summit. While the mega event brought together some of the world's most powerful leaders under one roof, it was Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who stole the spotlight in an unexpected and delightful manner. Hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the evening took a lyrical turn when the Malaysian leader showed his deep affection for Indian cinema by singing two classic songs of the legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar, instantly lightening the atmosphere of the high-profile gathering.\n\nA Melodious Interlude at the High-Profile Dinner\nThe formal and serious environment of the international summit transitioned into a warm, celebratory gathering during the gala dinner. As the guests settled in, a pianist at the venue began playing the familiar, nostalgic tunes of iconic Bollywood tracks. Captivated by the music, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim could not resist joining in. He walked over to the piano with a warm smile and began humming along with the notes, quickly drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.\n\n \nWithout any hesitation, the Malaysian Prime Minister perfectly matched his voice with the piano chords. He first sang the timeless track \"Dost Dost Na Raha, Pyar Pyar Na Raha\" from the 1964 blockbuster movie Sangam. The emotional depth of the song, originally picturized on Raj Kapoor, resonated beautifully through the hall and evoked a sense of nostalgic warmth among the attendees.\n\nContinuing the Tribute with Romantic Melodies\nImmediately following his rendition of the Sangam classic, Anwar Ibrahim delighted the audience further by transitioning into another popular Hindi number. He sang the romantic melody \"Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat, Kaun Ho Tum Batlao\" from the 1965 movie Teen Devian. This classic composition, originally created by the legendary music director SD Burman with lyrics penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri, was performed with great enthusiasm and perfect rhythm by the Malaysian leader.\n\nThe sight of a foreign head of state singing Hindi classics with such passion and fluency left the audience mesmerized. Diplomats, government officials, and foreign dignitaries present at the dinner broke into spontaneous applause and cheered him on. Demonstrating his joy, Anwar Ibrahim later shared a video of this musical moment on his official X account on September 12, 2026, where he expressed his profound respect and love for Indian music and the legacy of Kishore Kumar, showcasing how art can dissolve political barriers.\n\nA Longstanding Admiration for Indian Cinema\nThis musical performance was not an isolated incident but a reflection of Anwar Ibrahim's lifelong admiration for Indian music. The Malaysian Prime Minister has been a devoted fan of Kishore Kumar's golden voice and old Bollywood classics for decades. He has frequently highlighted how Indian cinema and music transcend geographical boundaries to foster deeper connections between nations.\n\nDuring his official visit to India in 2024, Ibrahim had expressed his fondness for Bollywood songs during a media interview. On that occasion as well, he had hummed \"Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat\" to describe his relationship with Indian culture. He remarked that Indian films and music are not just popular within India, but hold a special place in the hearts of people across Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian region. His gesture at the BRICS dinner beautifully illustrated how music can serve as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy, bridging gaps between diverse nations.\n\nStrengthening India-Malaysia Bilateral Cooperation\nBeyond the musical festivities, the 18th BRICS Summit also served as a platform for crucial political discussions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a highly productive bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the main summit. The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions focused on enhancing trade relations, boosting defense cooperation, advancing digital technology partnerships, and deepening overall strategic ties between India and Malaysia.\n\nDuring this meeting, a lighter moment showcased the deep personal rapport between the two leaders. Ibrahim highlighted Modi's immense popularity in Malaysia, humorously noting that \"your popularity in Malaysia is immense, and people have sent their greetings for you.\" This heartwarming remark brought a cheerful laugh from Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing the mutual respect and warmth that defines the current relationship between India and Malaysia. This interaction further solidified the strategic and cultural ties between the two nations, setting a positive tone for future diplomatic engagements.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe appreciation of Indian music by the Malaysian Prime Minister marks a fresh era of cultural diplomacy between India and Malaysia, paving the way for stronger ties.\n\n• Across India: Enhanced diplomatic and bilateral ties will likely translate into advanced collaborations in defense and digital technology sectors. This means greater trade opportunities and potential job growth for domestic industries involved in international trade.\n• In New Delhi: Successfully hosting high-profile global summits at Bharat Mandapam positions Delhi as a leading hub for international tourism and commerce. This ongoing global spotlight will continuously benefit the city's hospitality and infrastructure sectors.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis musical interlude occurred due to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's deep personal admiration for Indian culture and Bollywood classics.\n\n• Cultural Influence: The long-standing popularity of Indian cinema across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, has established a profound cultural bridge. This background enabled Ibrahim to easily connect with the tunes played at the venue.\n• Informal Gala Setting: The relaxed atmosphere of the BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted by PM Modi allowed leaders to bypass rigid protocols. This encouraged spontaneous expressions of art and personal preferences, changing the dynamic of political relations.\n• Positive Outcome: Such candid and lighthearted interactions build strong personal rapport between state leaders. This warmth usually translates into smoother bilateral discussions and stronger diplomatic trusts on crucial strategic tables.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which two songs did Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sing at the BRICS dinner?\nHe sang 'Dost Dost Na Raha' from the 1964 film 'Sangam' and 'Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat' from the 1965 film 'Teen Devian'.\n\n2. Where did this event take place?\nThe event took place during the 18th BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.\n\n3. Which musical instrument accompanied the Malaysian Prime Minister's singing?\nHe sang in perfect sync with the melodies played by a pianist at the venue.\n\n4. Has Anwar Ibrahim sung Indian songs publicly before?\nYes, during his official visit to India in 2024, he had hummed 'Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat' during a media interview.\n\n5. What did Anwar Ibrahim tell PM Modi during their bilateral meeting?\nHe mentioned that PM Modi is highly popular in Malaysia, and many citizens had sent messages conveying their personal regards to the Indian PM.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/politics/brics-dinara-men-maleshiyai-pm-anwar-ibrahim-ne-bikhera-suron-ka-jadu-kishore-kumar-ke-sadabahara-giton-se-jita-sabaka-dila-31651",
  "category": "Politics",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-12",
  "tags": [
    "BRICS Summit",
    "Anwar Ibrahim",
    "Narendra Modi",
    "Kishore Kumar",
    "India Malaysia Relations",
    "Bharat Mandapam"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}