Iulia Vantur Performs Bollywood Song at the Vatican

Romanian-born singer and actress Iulia Vantur made history this week at the Vatican City by becoming the first Indian artist to perform a Bollywood song in front of the Pope. At the décor-laden Paul VI Hall, Vantur delivered an evocative rendition of Teri Meri Prem Kahani—originally featured in the 2011 film Bodyguard starring Salman Khan. The performance, held as part of the 60th anniversary of the Vatican’s landmark “Nostra Aetate” declaration, brought together culture, spirituality and popular Indian cinema in one memorable moment. 

In a post-event statement, Vantur described the experience as “a prayer through music,” adding that singing an Indian song in such a sacred context “felt magical.” Her appearance at the Vatican also included a meeting with Pope Francis—a rare cultural exchange that underscored the event’s emphasis on inter-faith dialogue and global unity. 

Beyond the headline act, Vantur’s performance included a Romanian rendition of the same melody and her unreleased track “Corinde Corinde”. She later joined famed producer Poo Bear, Indian musicians Stephen Devassy and Vijay Yesudas for a stirring ensemble piece titled “We Are the New World (Keep Doing Good)”, reaffirming the evening’s theme of unity and cultural resonance. 

This performance is significant not just for its First-to-Vatican status, but for spotlighting Bollywood’s global reach. It signals a shift: Indian pop-culture is now recognized on platforms traditionally reserved for high diplomacy and spiritual ceremony. Vantur’s voice, bridging continents and faiths, offered more than entertainment—it offered a statement of cultural integration.

As Vantur returns to her acting career with the forthcoming film Echoes of Us, this Vatican moment will likely stand out as a defining milestone. For Bollywood, it offers inspiration: boundaries are fading, and Indian artistry is finding new stages with universal themes. In the grand hall of the Vatican—in front of one of the world’s most symbolic religious figures—Bollywood found its spiritual moment.