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Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre had the opportunity to welcome pop legend Michael Jackson when he visited India for his ‘HIStory World Tour’ in 1996. She was the only B-town actress to have gotten the opportunity. Bendre, dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree, greeted Jackson at Mumbai airport with a sacred tilak and performed aarti, welcoming him with Indian rituals.

After over 29 years, Bendre opened up on why she agreed to welcome the pop star. She said in an interview with ANI that she was approached by Raj Thackeray’s wife, Sharmila Thackeray, for the welcoming ceremony of Michael Jackson at the Mumbai Airport.

She told, "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)."

Sonali Bendre further added, "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."

Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour

Michael Jackson's HIStory World Tour made a memorable stop in India, specifically Mumbai, on November 1, 1996. The sold-out concert drew thousands of fans and was a significant cultural event. Notably, Jackson waived his fees and donated the profits to an Indian charity, adding to the event's goodwill.

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Condé Nast Traveller India Editor Salil Deshpande described Michael Jackson's India concert a "random acts of kindness that still linger".