Sonali Bendre has recalled welcoming Michael Jackson during his first visit to India in 1996, revealing that wearing a traditional Maharashtrian nauvari saree initially excited her more than meeting the pop superstar. The actor shared the memory during the premiere episode of Sony Marathi’s ‘Kon Honar Crorepati’, hosted by Madhuri Dixit. Their conversation revisited Jackson’s visit to Mumbai and the concert that eventually made Sonali appreciate his extraordinary stage presence.

Sonali Bendre recalls welcoming Michael Jackson

During the episode, Madhuri Dixit asked Sonali Bendre about the occasion when she welcomed Michael Jackson in a nauvari saree. The singer’s arrival in Mumbai had drawn considerable attention, with Sonali among the Marathi women selected to participate in the welcome. However, she admitted that she was not particularly familiar with his music at the time.“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.”Sonali’s recollection offered a different perspective on the memorable visit. While the opportunity involved meeting one of the world’s biggest music stars, she had another reason to look forward to the occasion. The traditional outfit held a personal appeal for her, making the experience special even before she met the performer.

Why the nauvari saree excited Sonali Bendre

For Sonali, wearing a nauvari saree was more than simply dressing for a public appearance. She recalled growing up seeing her grandmother wear the traditional Maharashtrian garment. That childhood association had left her fascinated by the attire, and the opportunity to wear one herself was something she genuinely enjoyed.“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.

Madhuri Dixit asks about Michael Jackson

Madhuri Dixit, who described herself as a fan of Michael Jackson, brought up the episode while speaking with Sonali on ‘Kon Honar Crorepati’. Their exchange allowed the actor to revisit an event from the early years of her career and explain how her feelings about the singer evolved.Sonali’s initial lack of enthusiasm did not last long. It was seeing Jackson perform in person that changed her perspective. The concert gave her an opportunity to understand the artistry behind his worldwide popularity, beyond what she had known about him before the show.

Michael Jackson’s Mumbai concert changed her view

Michael Jackson visited India in October 1996 as part of his ‘HIStory World Tour’. His Mumbai performance became a major event for music fans, bringing the internationally acclaimed entertainer to Indian audiences.Sonali recalled that the live show helped her recognize the singer’s abilities as a performer. His energy, stamina and singing left a lasting impression, turning her into a fan after the concert. “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,” she recalled.On the work front, Sonali Bendre was last seen in ‘Be Happy’ (2025).