Actress Sonali Bendre recalled welcoming pop icon Michael Jackson during his first visit to India as she appeared on the grand premiere episode of Sony Marathi’s Kon Honar Crorepati.
In a conversation with the show’s host, Madhuri Dixit, Sonali revealed that she was initially more excited about wearing a traditional Maharashtrian nauvari saree than meeting the global music sensation.
Madhuri, who described herself as a fan of the legendary performer, asked Sonali about greeting Jackson in a nauvari saree when he arrived in Mumbai.
Responding to the question, Sonali said, “You know, actually, I wasn’t that much of a fan of his. They told me that they wanted Marathi girls to do this. And at that time, I got free tickets for my friends and family.”
She further explained that wearing the traditional attire was a special experience for her, as she had always admired the garment. “And of course, wearing a nauvari was a lot of fun because my grandmother used to wear one, and I always had a fascination with wearing a nauvari. I mean, it’s just the most graceful saree ever. So I was excited about that,” she said.
However, Sonali added that watching Jackson perform live changed her perception of the artist and turned her into a fan.
Recalling the concert, she said, “But after that, when I went to the concert, I really understood what an artist he is. I mean, amazing! The stamina, the singing… and after that, I became his fan.”
For the uninitiated, Michael Jackson visited India in October 1996 as part of his HIStory World Tour, performing in Mumbai.
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