In a moment that perfectly captures the "audacity of ambition," 28-year-old Indian podcaster Raj Shamani made headlines during his interview with French President Emmanuel Macron, which premiered on February 19, 2026. While hosting Macron on his show Figuring Out during the President's state visit for the India AI Impact Summit, Raj boldly declared his goal to reach the global number one spot within the next 18 months. The interview, which famously opened with a lighthearted jab at Donald Trump involving Macron's viral Davos sunglasses, showcased Raj’s signature "gutsy" style as he pivoted from viral banter to a high-stakes conversation on India-France relations and strategic autonomy. This encounter marks a historic milestone for the Indian creator economy, with Raj becoming one of the few global podcasters to interview a sitting G7 head of state, solidifying his claim that the next generation of Indian creators is ready to dominate the world stage.
