Sonali Bendre Recalls Welcoming Michael Jackson in a Nauvari Saree: “I Wasn’t Much of a Fan Initially”

Entertainment Bureau, New Delhi Chronicle

Location: NEW DELHI

Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre recently revisited a memorable milestone from the early years of her career: welcoming global pop icon Michael Jackson during his historic 1996 visit to India. Speaking on the premiere episode of Sony Marathi’s Kon Honar Crorepati, hosted by Madhuri Dixit, Bendre revealed that she was initially far more excited about wearing a traditional Maharashtrian Nauvari saree than meeting the “King of Pop” himself.

Fascinated by Tradition Over Stardom

Recalling the high-profile arrival of Michael Jackson in Mumbai for his HIStory World Tour in October 1996, Bendre shared that event organizers were specifically looking for Marathi women to participate in the traditional welcome ceremony.

Admitting she wasn’t familiar with his discography at the time, the actor explained:

“To be honest, I wasn’t that much of a fan of his back then. They told me they wanted Marathi girls for the welcome ceremony, and I managed to get free tickets for my family and friends.”

For Bendre, the highlight of the event was the opportunity to drape a traditional Nauvari saree—a nine-yard garment she had admired since childhood while watching her grandmother wear it.

“Wearing a Nauvari was a lot of fun because my grandmother used to wear one, and I was always fascinated by it. It’s truly one of the most graceful sarees, so that was what really excited me,” she added.

The Concert That Changed Everything

While the initial meeting was driven by cultural pride, seeing Michael Jackson live on stage turned out to be a transformative experience for the actor. Jackson’s lone Mumbai concert remains one of the most celebrated live entertainment events in Indian pop-culture history, and witnessing it firsthand quickly converted Bendre into an admirer.

“When I went to the concert afterward, I truly realized what an incredible artist he was. His energy, stamina, and vocals were extraordinary—I became a huge fan right after that show,” Bendre recalled during her candid chat with Madhuri Dixit, herself an ardent fan of the late pop legend.