Times when Bollywood met British Royalty: 'Dhoom Machale’ is not the first Indian song to resonate in the palace

Dhoom Machale—the high-energy Bollywood anthem synonymous with thrilling chases and grand heists—playing in the presence of British royalty sounds almost too surreal to be true. But at this year’s Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey, that’s exactly what happened.

As King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived for the annual event, the distinctive notes of Dhoom Machale filled the air, played by the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band—a Hindu Scottish ensemble known for blending traditional bagpipes with Indian musical influences. The unusual yet electrifying fusion stunned onlookers, and when a video of the moment surfaced online, it sent Indian social media into a frenzy.

Many joked that this was Hrithik Roshan’s latest disguise, referencing his royal impersonation in Dhoom 2, while others saw it as poetic justice—Bollywood’s way of reclaiming cultural ground in the land of its former colonizers. Beyond the humor, however, the performance symbolized something deeper: the ever-growing cultural footprint of Indian music in spaces once considered exclusively Western.

And while this unexpected Bollywood moment at Westminster Abbey has captivated global audiences, it wasn’t the first time Indian music made its way into Britain’s royal circles. In fact, Bollywood melodies have long had a surprising connection with the British monarchy.

A Royal Serenade: When Kanika Kapoor Sang at Buckingham Palace

Long before Dhoom Machale made its way into a royal event, another Bollywood classic resonated within the walls