17 February,2026 06:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
French President Emmanuel Macron meets Bollywood celebrities
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lok Bhavan. During his visit, Macron also interacted with members of the Indian film industry to discuss arts, culture, and potential collaborations between the two countries.
On Tuesday afternoon, President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron met Bollywood personalities including Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha, and Shabana Azmi. The meeting took place at the Taj Hotel in Colaba, where the French President was staying during his Mumbai visit.
In a post on X, PM Modi also stated that the French President shared his experience in India's financial capital, noting that Macron liked the city and enjoyed his morning run earlier in the day. "It's a delight to meet my friend, President Macron, in Mumbai! He told me he really likes the city and also enjoyed his run earlier in the day!" the Prime Minister stated in his post on X.
The two leaders met at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai ahead of their bilateral talks, where they reviewed key aspects of the India-France strategic partnership. They were also seen sharing a warm exchange as they greeted each other. Earlier today, at the start of the morning rush in Mumbai, the French President surprised Mumbaikers by joining the morning walkers.
The French President was seen jogging with a team of security personnel, including French and Indian officials. The jog proceeded peacefully, with minimal disruption from the media and locals along the route. Wearing a navy blue T-shirt and black sunglasses, Macron decided not to disrupt his fitness routine despite being in a foreign country, ahead of a long day of diplomatic meetings with PM Modi.
On the same day, in a poignant moment reflecting international solidarity against terrorism, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron paid a solemn tribute to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks upon their arrival. The gesture served as a bridge between two nations that have both faced the scars of radicalisation and violence, with President Macron underscoring the shared values of resilience and democracy that bind New Delhi and Paris.
