Ricky Kej Joins French President Macron in Mumbai for Historic Innovation Initiative
Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej was part of the official French delegation led by President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during their visit to Mumbai on Tuesday. This significant event marked the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, a joint initiative by President Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at fostering bilateral cooperation in various fields.
An Honor and Privilege for the Renowned Composer
In an exclusive conversation, Ricky Kej expressed his deep gratitude and excitement about being included in the delegation. He stated, "I'm really fortunate and honoured to be part of the French delegation to India. It's amazing to be in the presence of such an incredible world leader like President Macron and of course Madam Brigitte." The composer highlighted the unique opportunity to engage in high-level discussions on cultural exchange and soft power.
Memorable Journey and In-Flight Discussions
The visit began with a memorable experience even before landing in India. Kej, who was in Paris at the time, traveled aboard the presidential aircraft with Macron. He shared, "We ended up having dinner together on the plane and had beautiful conversations on India and France, on culture and the impact that culture has, and how important soft power is in today's world." A casual photograph from this flight has since garnered widespread public attention, symbolizing the warm rapport between the artist and the French leader.
Engagements with Bollywood and Cultural Dialogues
Upon arriving in Mumbai close to midnight, the delegation stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel before embarking on a packed schedule. One of the key highlights was a lunch interaction with prominent members of the Hindi film industry, including filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, actors Anil Kapoor and Manoj Bajpayee, director Zoya Akhtar, and veteran actor Shabana Azmi. Kej described the meeting as a "beautiful discussion on how India and France can cooperate in getting stories of France out in India and Indian stories out in France." Topics covered included:
- Uplifting arthouse cinema in both countries
- Meaningful financial and creative cooperation
- Cross-cultural collaborations within the movie industry
Longstanding Association with President Macron
Kej's connection with Macron dates back several years. They first met during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to France in 2023, where they dined at the Louvre Museum. The two reconnected in December 2024 at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) conference in Riyadh. Reflecting on their relationship, Kej said, "Both him and his wife Brigitte are absolutely generous people, very good human beings. President Macron is a great leader, someone who brings people together. It's been wonderful spending time with him."
Ongoing Itinerary and Future Prospects
The delegation's India itinerary includes multiple engagements in Mumbai and Delhi, such as the upcoming AI Summit, before Kej returns to France aboard the presidential flight. This visit marks another chapter in the strengthening cultural dialogue between India and France, with Kej playing a pivotal role in bridging artistic and innovative endeavors. The composer remains optimistic about the growing collaboration, emphasizing the importance of sustained efforts in cultural diplomacy and innovation partnerships.
