Sonali Bendre recently shared the story of how she came to welcome Michael Jackson at Mumbai Airport during his "HIStory World Tour" in 1996. As the only Bollywood actress to have had the honor, she revealed that it was a connection through politician Raj Thackeray's wife, Sharmila Thackeray, that led to her participation in the iconic event.
In an interview with ANI, Sonali Bendre explained that Sharmila Thackeray approached her with the request. The connection stemmed from the fact that Sharmila's mother and Sonali's aunt had been friends for a long time. Sharmila thought Sonali would be a great fit to welcome Michael Jackson.
Initially, Sonali was hesitant, as she was at the peak of her Bollywood career. However, she agreed on one condition: she wanted excellent tickets for the show for herself and her friends. This swayed her decision, as she was excited about the opportunity to see Michael Jackson perform live with great seats.
Therefore, Sonali Bendre, dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree, greeted Michael Jackson at the Mumbai airport with tilak and aarti, a traditional Indian ritual. Along with Raj Thackeray, she played a key role in welcoming the pop sensation to India.
The event was a major highlight of Jackson's "HIStory World Tour," with his Mumbai concert remaining a cherished memory for many Indians. The concert, held at the Andheri Sports Complex in November 1996, occurred during the Shiv Sena-BJP rule in Maharashtra. Bringing Jackson to India was considered a coup, especially for Raj Thackeray, who was more musically inclined than his cousin Uddhav.
Raj Thackeray took the lead in escorting Jackson from Sahar International Airport to Matoshree, the residence of Balasaheb Thackeray. Despite the chaos and excitement at the airport, Raj Thackeray and Sonali Bendre managed to create a protective circle around the singer. Jackson, dressed in a distinctive outfit including a top hat, dark glasses, and a red jacket, was quickly ushered away in a convoy.
Intrigued by lezim dancers on the highway, Jackson briefly stepped out of his vehicle to dance with them, endearing himself to the crowd. His concert was a spectacle of showmanship, with Mumbai dancing to his popular songs.
