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India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
'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.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Sonali Bendre recalls welcoming Michael Jackson to India in 1996
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Sonali Bendre is the only Bollywood actress to have had the opportunity to welcome the late pop sensation Michael Jackson when he visited India for his 'HIStory World Tour' in 1996. Actress Sonali Bendre, along with politician Raj Thackeray, played a key role in the grand welcome of Michael Jackson to India in 1996. Bendre was dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree and greeted Jackson at the Mumbai airport with an Indian ritual by applying tilak (a sacred mark on the forehead) and performing aarti. Now, nearly 29 years later, Sonali Bendre has opened up about the behind-the-scenes events that led her to be a part of that iconic moment. In an interview with ANI, the 'Sarfarosh' actress said that she was approached by Raj Thackeray's wife, Sharmila Thackeray, for the welcoming ceremony of Michael Jackson at the Mumbai Airport (Bombay Airport at that time). '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 Bendre. However, it was not so easy to convince the actress who was at the peak of her career at that time. She agreed to welcome Jackson at the airport, but only on one 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 Bendre. The 'HIStory World Tour' included Jackson visiting numerous countries and performing for millions of fans. Jackson's concert in Mumbai was a highlight of the tour, as it is fondly remembered for his cultural moment in India. At the time, Sonali Bendre was enjoying a successful run in Bollywood. After a series of early struggles, 1996 proved to be a breakthrough year for the actress as she starred in hits like 'Diljale', 'Sapoot' and 'Rakshak'. Sonali Bendre's diverse filmography includes hit films like 'Aag', 'Sarfarosh', 'Keemat', 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', 'Indra', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' and others. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sonali Bendre recalls welcoming Michael Jackson with Raj Thackeray to India in 1996: ‘I just wanted great tickets'
Sonali Bendre remains the only Bollywood actress to have had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of welcoming the late global pop icon Michael Jackson when he arrived in India for his HIStory World Tour in 1996. At the time, Bendre was joined by politician Raj Thackeray in organizing Jackson's grand welcome in Mumbai. Dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree, the actress performed a customary Indian ritual, applying a tilak to Jackson's forehead and performing an aarti, as he stepped off the plane at what was then known as Bombay Airport. Now, nearly three decades later, the Sarfarosh actress has opened up about how that unforgettable moment came to be. In a candid chat with ANI, Bendre revealed that the idea was initiated by Raj Thackeray's wife, Sharmila Thackeray, who had a personal connection with her family. '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),' Bendre recalled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo While many would have jumped at the chance to welcome the King of Pop, Bendre had one condition before agreeing to participate. '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,' she laughed. Sonali Bendre stuns in a fusion outfit at Sharmin Segal and Aman Mehta's wedding reception The HIStory World Tour was one of Michael Jackson's most ambitious global ventures, and his Mumbai concert became a landmark cultural event for Indian fans. His arrival and performance are still etched in the memories of many who witnessed the spectacle. In 1996, Sonali Bendre was riding high on a wave of success in Bollywood. That year saw her feature in major hits like Diljale, Sapoot, and Rakshak, which cemented her status as a rising star. Over the years, she went on to star in a string of popular films, including Aag, Keemat, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Indra, and Kal Ho Naa Ho, showcasing her range and enduring appeal in Indian cinema. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Sonali Bendre On Why She Received Michael Jackson At Mumbai Airport: 'Raj Thackeray's Wife...'
Last Updated: Sonali Bendre said she received great tickets for the music legend's Mumbai concert. Sonali Bendre is the only Bollywood actress to have had the opportunity to welcome the late pop sensation Michael Jackson when he visited India for his 'HIStory World Tour' in 1996. Actress Sonali Bendre, along with politician Raj Thackeray, played a key role in the grand welcome of Michael Jackson to India in 1996. Bendre was dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree and greeted Jackson at the Mumbai airport with an Indian ritual by applying tilak (a sacred mark on the forehead) and performing aarti. Now, nearly 29 years later, Sonali Bendre has opened up about the behind-the-scenes events that led her to be a part of that iconic moment. In an interview with ANI, the 'Sarfarosh' actress said that she was approached by Raj Thackeray's wife, Sharmila Thackeray, for the welcoming ceremony of Michael Jackson at the Mumbai Airport (Bombay Airport at that time). '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 Bendre. However, it was not so easy to convince the actress who was at the peak of her career at that time. She agreed to welcome Jackson at the airport, but only on one 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 Bendre. The 'HIStory World Tour' included Jackson visiting numerous countries and performing for millions of fans. Jackson's concert in Mumbai was a highlight of the tour, as it is fondly remembered for his cultural moment in India. At the time, Sonali Bendre was enjoying a successful run in Bollywood. After a series of early struggles, 1996 proved to be a breakthrough year for the actress as she starred in hits like 'Diljale', 'Sapoot' and 'Rakshak'. Sonali Bendre's diverse filmography includes hit films like 'Aag', 'Sarfarosh', 'Keemat', 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', 'Indra', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' and others. First Published: June 07, 2025, 21:04 IST
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sonali Bendre agreed to receive Michael Jackson at airport with Raj Thackeray in 1996 on this condition
Sonali Bendre is the only Bollywood actor to have had the opportunity to welcome the late pop sensation Michael Jackson when he visited India for his HIStory World Tour in 1996. Sonali, along with politician Raj Thackeray, played a key role in the grand welcome of Michael Jackson to India in 1996. (Also Read: Salman Khan makes it difficult to like him: Sonali Bendre shares how he made her angry during Hum Saath Saath Hain shoot) Sonali was dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree and greeted Michael at the Mumbai airport with an Indian ritual by applying tilak (a sacred mark on the forehead) and performing aarti. Now, nearly 29 years later, Sonali has opened up about the behind-the-scenes events that led her to be a part of that iconic moment. In an interview with ANI, the Sarfarosh actor said that she was approached by Raj Thackeray's wife, Sharmila Thackeray, for the welcoming ceremony of Michael Jackson at the Mumbai Airport (Bombay Airport at that time). "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 at the peak of her career at the time. She agreed to receive Michael at the airport, but only on one 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. The HIStory World Tour included Michael visiting numerous countries and performing for millions of fans. Michael's concert in Mumbai was a highlight of the tour, as it is fondly remembered for his cultural moment in India. In the same interview, Sonali also criticised gossip surrounding her and Raj Thackeray at that time and said, 'I don't know. I mean, a lot of people... I think it's just not in very good taste when people talk about it like that. First of all, I mean, there are families involved and people involved in all of that.'
