'But I want....': When Sonali Bendre agreed to welcome Michael Jackson at airport, but with a condition, asked for...
International late pop sensation Michael Jackson had a massive fan base, not just abroad but even in India. Jackson visited India just once, and it was 90s actress Sonali Bendre who welcomed him. However, there was a catch — Sonali kept a condition to welcome the pop star.
Michael visited India for his HIStory World Tour in 1996. It was Raj Thackeray and Sonali Bendre who played a huge role in the grand welcome. In an interview with ANI, the Sarfarosh actress revealed that it was Sharmila Thackeray, wife of Raj Thackeray, who approached her to be part of Michael Jackson's welcome ceremony at the Mumbai airport.
'They told me that you need to come and do that and be somebody who got in touch with me. I think it was Sharmila, Raj's wife. Sharmila's mother and my masi (aunt) have been friends for a long time, and she said, 'Why don't you do it' (welcoming Michael Jackson),' said Sonali.
However, it was not easy to convince the actor, who was soaring high in her career at that time. Finally, Sonali did agree to receive Michael Jackson but kept a condition.
'I was like, okay, but then I want great tickets for the show and all of that with my friends. So I did it because I was getting these tickets to enter where I could take my friends and go to the show — my sister, sister's friends, and all of that. We had this great seating. That's what I was so excited about when I did it,' added Sonali.
During the HIStory World Tour, Michael visited various countries and performed for millions of fans. Michael's concert in Mumbai was a standout moment of the tour and is fondly remembered as a significant cultural event in India.
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