‘Khwab Ho Tum…’: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim turns singer at BRICS gala in Delhi; Watch video

Diplomatic dinners usually come with carefully choreographed speeches, formal handshakes and plenty of protocol. But Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had a different tune in mind at the BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi.

The PM broke into an unexpected Bollywood moment, singing along to Kishore Kumar’s classic song “Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat” at the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam.

Standing beside a pianist, Anwar joined in as the popular Hindi song played at the gathering at Bharat Mandapam. The moment quickly caught attention online, adding a distinctly Indian pop-culture twist to the 18th BRICS Summit.


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Anwar also shared the video on X. In the caption, translated from Malay, he wrote: “Teacher, may I have permission to sing for a moment, okay?”

Two years later, Anwar is singing Kishore Kumar again

This is hardly Anwar’s first musical Bollywood moment in India.

During his 2024 India visit, Anwar sang the same Kishore Kumar classic, “Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat”, on the sidelines of an India Today interview.

He was also seen singing another Hindi classic, “Dost Dost Na Raha”, at a farewell event at Delhi’s Taj Mahal Hotel during that visit. The song, originally sung by Mukesh, became another memorable moment from his first India visit as Malaysian prime minister.

Also Read: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim at Hyderabad House

So, when Anwar broke into “Khwaab Ho Tum” once again in Delhi, the BRICS dinner was not exactly his first Bollywood encore.

From Kishore Kumar to MGR, Anwar’s India connection has a musical side

Anwar’s affinity for Indian cinema extends beyond Hindi film music.

During Modi’s visit to Malaysia in February 2026, a Tamil song from the 1975 film “Naalai Namathe”, starring legendary actor-politician MGR, was performed at a lunch hosted by Anwar.

Modi later highlighted the connection, saying Anwar was a “big fan” of MGR and noting his appreciation for Tamil songs.

Modi had also publicly praised Anwar’s singing during that visit, recalling that videos of the Malaysian leader singing an old Hindi song in India had gone viral.

The latest BRICS performance therefore fits into a pattern: Anwar’s public appearances in India have repeatedly found room for the music and cinema he enjoys.

When diplomacy gets a Bollywood soundtrack

Indian state and diplomatic dinners have occasionally used popular music to add a cultural touch to otherwise tightly scripted occasions.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India in December 2025, “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani”, the title track of the 2000 Shah Rukh Khan film, featured in the musical programme at the Rashtrapati Bhavan state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. The song was performed as part of a programme blending Indian and Russian musical traditions.

A formal summit, an informal moment

The BRICS gala dinner came after the first day of the two-day summit in New Delhi, with Modi hosting leaders and dignitaries at Bharat Mandapam. The evening also featured a “BRICS Symphony” performance alongside a menu showcasing Indian cuisine.

Amid the formal meetings, declarations and diplomatic choreography, Anwar’s Kishore Kumar rendition offered a much more relaxed glimpse of the Malaysian leader.