Macron Names Anil Kapoor His Favourite Bollywood Actor During India Visit

French President Emmanuel Macron added an unexpected pop-culture moment to his three-day diplomatic visit to India by revealing that veteran actor Anil Kapoor is his favourite Bollywood star. The candid admission, which bypassed megastars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, quickly went viral across social media platforms.

The Moment That Stole the Spotlight

During a rapid-fire interaction with media platform Brut India, held near Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India, Macron was asked to name his favourite Bollywood actor. Without hesitation, the French President smiled and replied, “I mean, yesterday I mentioned Jai Ho, so I would say Anil Kapoor.” The remark instantly became a headline, blending high-level diplomacy with the universal language of cinema.

Macron, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, met several prominent figures from India’s creative industry during the visit, including Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha, and Shabana Azmi. A group photograph was also taken at the Gateway of India. Sharing pictures from the gathering on Instagram, Macron wrote in French, “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture unites us.”

Anil Kapoor Responds With Warmth

A visibly moved Anil Kapoor took to social media to share glimpses from the meeting, writing, “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.” The moment underscored Indian cinema’s growing global stature and Kapoor’s enduring international appeal.

Beyond Bollywood, Macron’s visit centred on strengthening India-France ties, with both nations co-chairing the AI Action Summit 2026 in New Delhi as part of their Horizon 2047 bilateral roadmap. As for Anil Kapoor, he is set to appear next in Subedaar on Amazon Prime Video and the YRF spy thriller Alpha later this year.