A resurfaced video has reignited a touching moment from 1996, when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan publicly expressed his admiration for the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, by kissing the dais where Jackson had stood. The clip, which has gone viral following the release of the Michael biopic, captures a rare and heartfelt display of fandom from one of India's biggest stars.
Michael Jackson's 1996 India Visit
Michael Jackson's 1996 visit to India as part of his HIStory World Tour remains a landmark event in the country's pop culture history. He arrived in Mumbai on October 30, 1996, receiving a rousing welcome at Sahar Airport. On November 1, he performed for over 35,000 fans at the Andheri Sports Complex, leaving the audience mesmerized. During his stay, Jackson met political figure Bal Thackeray and attended a charity event where he was honored with a humanitarian award. His heartfelt speech at that gathering is still remembered as one of his most memorable public addresses.
Shah Rukh Khan's Fanboy Moment
The viral clip shows Shah Rukh Khan being invited onstage shortly after Jackson had finished speaking and stepped away. In a spontaneous gesture of admiration, SRK paused, pointed to the exact spot where Jackson had stood, and kissed the dais. He said jovially, "Wait second, let me kiss this dais where Michael was standing. Marvellous." The moment, filled with fanboy sincerity, perfectly captured the reverence even global superstars like SRK had for the King of Pop.
This touching moment also found a place in a tribute video produced by Shah Rukh's banner, titled Make It Large: A Tribute to Michael Jackson, released on the singer's 51st birth anniversary. In the video, Shah Rukh reflects on Jackson's legacy, saying, "We've lost a part of our history. Some of us have lost a part of our growing up. Some people teach by their words; others, by their lives. Thanks for being with us forever."
Michael Jackson Biopic Released
The recently released Michael is a sweeping autobiographical drama that charts the life and meteoric rise of Michael Jackson, tracing his journey from his early days. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film features Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, in the lead role, marking his acting debut. Opening to a thunderous response at the box office, the film reportedly crossed the Rs 25 crore gross mark on Day 5, according to a report on Sacnilk. It collected Rs 2.40 crore net on Tuesday across 2,783 shows, registering a 6.7% growth from Monday's collections of Rs 2.25 crore.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Michael Jackson was never just a pop star; he was, and continues to be, an emotion that transcends generations. Even years after his passing, the King of Pop remains etched in the hearts of fans across the world, revered for both his music and his larger-than-life persona. The resurfaced video of Shah Rukh Khan's heartfelt gesture is a testament to the enduring impact of Jackson's legacy, inspiring admiration from fellow icons across the globe.
