Sonali Bendre On Why She Received Michael Jackson At Mumbai Airport: 'Raj Thackeray's Wife...'
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
12 minutes ago
- India.com
Who is Priya Sachdev? Big fight over heir to Rs 30000 crore business empire of Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband Sunjay Kapur
The sudden demise of Sunjay Kapur, a prominent figure in the Indian automotive field and Chairman of Sona Comstar, has left everyone in shock. Sunjay Kapur, who was also the ex-husband of actor Karisma Kapoor, passed away on June 12 in England at the age of 53, following a heart attack while playing polo. Just days after his death, the company appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as the new Chairperson on June 23. Who is Priya Sachdev Kapur? What's her connection with Sunjay Kapur? Priya Sachdev Kapoor, the wife of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapoor, is now at the center of the highly publicized dispute involving a business empire worth Rs 30,000 crore. The dispute began to take shape when Sunjay Kapoor's mother, Rani Kapoor, wrote the board of directors, just prior to the company's annual general meeting (AGM) on Friday. What are the shocking claims that are being made by Rani Kapur, mother of the late Sunjay Kapur? Rani Kapur, mother of the late Sunjay Kapur, has written to the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Sona Comstar to refrain from the appointment of any Director(s) in the Company or any other Sona Group Company and further unconditionally defer the Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for Friday (July 25), reported news agency IANS. In her letter, Rani Kapur alleged she was coerced to sign some documents which are being misused to wrest control of the company and usurp the family legacy after her son's death. Rani Kapur stated that, as per the Will left behind by her late husband, Dr. Surinder Kapur, the Founder of Sona Comstar and the Sona Group, she is the majority shareholder in the Company and thereby the only authority to represent the interests of the family in the Company/Sona Group. 'Please postpone this AGM for at least two weeks to be held on a mutually convenient date, so that I may gather all necessary information, please ensure that there is total cooperation from the company and all details are made available to me, so I may gather all the facts together to present to the board,' Rani Kapur has stated in the letter. Rani Kapur has also stated in her letter that her son passed away under mysterious circumstances in the UK, and while she was in mourning, she was coerced into signing documents which are now being used to usurp the company. The letter reads, 'It is unfortunate that while the family and I are still in mourning, some people have chosen this as an opportune time to wrest control and usurp the family legacy.' Rani Kapur has also stated that she has been denied access to her accounts within less than a month of her only son passing away. Why is Priya, Sunjay Kapur's Wife, involved in a Rs 30,000 Crore Succession Battle? Priya was born and raised in a business family in New Delhi. Her father, Ashok Sachdev, was an automobile dealer. According to the Amar Ujala report, she studied Mathematics and Business Management at University College London (UCL) and studied at UCLA. She also had a small role in the 2005 Bollywood film Neal 'n' Nikki. Previously, Priya married hotelier Vikram Chatwal in 2006. Their grand wedding reportedly cost around Rs 100 crore. As per the NDTV report, the grand celebration witnessed VIP guests from 126 countries around the world. Their wedding lasted only five years. In 2011, the couple got divorced. From her first marriage, Priya has a daughter, and after marrying Sunjay Kapur, she had a son with him. According to her LinkedIn, she is currently a Non-Executive Director at Sona Comstar and a Director of Aurum Investments, a Kapur family investment company. Priya began her career in M&A at Credit Suisse First Boston in London before returning to India to lead ventures across automotive retail, insurance, fashion, and e-commerce. She founded TSG International Marketing Pvt. Ltd. and co-created Rock N Shop, one of India's early luxury e-commerce platforms. Priya is now in the spotlight and is probably going to face a difficult legal battle regarding who is going to make decisions in one of India's leading automotive families. And with questions around who has the authority to make decisions for the Sona Group, people are now paying attention to Priya. In 2016, Karisma Kapoor filed a domestic violence case against Sunjay Kapur and his mother, accusing them of physical abuse and claiming Sunjay was involved with another woman. She also filed a dowry harassment case, leading to a summons for Sunjay by the Mumbai police. The couple was already locked in a bitter divorce and custody battle.
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Marvel's The Fantastic Four First Steps leaked online: Pedro Pascal-led superhero saga hit by piracy
Marvel's The Fantastic Four First Steps, starring Pedro Pascal, hit the screens on July 25 and opened to a decent response at the Indian box office. According to Sacnilk, a trade website, the biggie earned Rs 5.1 crore on Friday. It also received positive reviews. The Fantastic Four First Steps has now been leaked online. This has sent shockwaves through the entertainment fraternity. Marvel's The Fantastic Four First Steps leaked online Pedro Pascal is in the limelight because of his latest film The Fantastic Four First Steps, which stormed into theatres yesterday. In the latest development, the Marvel movie has been hit by piracy. According to reports, pirated copies of the superhero saga have gone viral on torrent websites such as Movierulz and Filmyzilla. Moreover, reports state that terms such as 'The Fantastic Four First Steps watch online' and 'The Fantastic Four First Steps Movierulz' are among the trending searches. Piracy is one of the biggest challenges facing the film industry. Previously, titles such as Superman and F1 were leaked shortly after their release. Piracy affects the box office performance of the films in question. It also reduces the impact of the efforts put in by those from the industry. Additionally, those who download pirated copies expose themselves to malware and legal issues. Fans should, therefore, stick to legal means to watch The Fantastic Four First Steps and refrain from accessing websites such as Filmyzilla and Movierulz. About The Fantastic Four First Steps The film introduces Marvel's iconic superhero family to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in an unconventional new setting—an alternate 1960s Earth. The story revolves around the team of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they try to eliminate a cosmic threat from the seemingly unstoppable antagonist Galactus and his powerful aide, Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), a fresh take on Silver Surfer. Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four First Steps blends retro sci-fi aesthetics with an emotionally gripping narrative. It is the 37th film in the MCU and the first one after Thunderbolts. The film is edited by Nona Khodai and Tim Roche. Jess Hall serves as the cinematographer.
The Hindu
12 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Move is appreciated: Kangana Ranaut after crackdown on OTT platforms
Bollywood actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has supported the Centre's ban on OTT platforms in the country. Speaking to ANI, the Emergency star said that the move was crucial to protect the country's young people and was issued in the public interest. 'The ban has been imposed to ensure that our culture and the minds of the youth are not corrupted. It is important to see that our society is not headed toward a complete downfall. It was awaited for a long time,' she said. Kangana also appreciated the step taken against the illegal functioning of the OTT applications. Likewise, actor Ravi Kishan has also welcomed the decision, stating that 'boundaries and limits need to be set.' According to sources, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms over allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar, and even pornographic material. As a part of it, platforms like Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, NeonX VIP, and Desiflix were found disseminating content that directly violated several provisions of Indian law, including Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. A total of 14 mobile applications, 26 websites have been ordered to be disabled by intermediaries under provisions of the IT Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Much of the content showcased on the aforementioned platforms involved graphic sexual innuendos, long sequences of nudity, and pornographic visuals. ALSO READ: Blocked 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene, vulgar content: Govt Some, they believed, also had inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, which aggravated concerns over legality and decency. Previously, in September 2024, all 25 platforms received official warnings. The Ministry also issued an advisory, asking the OTT platforms to comply with India's obscenity laws and the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021.
