Bollywoods Trippin On Michael Jackson!

How the legendary entertainer continues to influence the Hindi film industry

It’s been nearly five years since he passed away, but Michael Jackson not only continues wield a strong influence on music and entertainment worldwide, but also in the Indian film industry. This year, in fact, sees everyone right from stalwart Shah Rukh Khan to newbie Tiger Shroff doff their hats to the legendary entertainer in their own way.

Here is a look at the tinselvillesThriller hangover, from past and present:

Shah Rukh Khan

When the first poster of Happy New Year got launched in a newspaper, what struck viewers were the military jacket and aviators worn by Shah Rukh Khan in it. The face of Michael Jackson instantly came to mind as its a style thats so synonymous with the singer ever since he broke musical records with Thriller in 1983. Khan, however, Indianised the outfit by wearing it on a dhoti.  The actor has earlier done a MJ for his song appearance in Krazzy 4. He had also released a music video tribute to the legend following his death in 2009.

Hrithik Roshan

Dance and Hrithik Roshan are synonymous in Bollywood. The actor, who became a dancing sensation with his debut in Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, has always been vocal about his admiration for the international legend. In fact, he has even met him on a trip abroad.  That hes paying a tribute to his icon in the upcoming Bang Bang is actually long overdue, and so if theres any tribute to Michael Jackson that has got everyone curious in India, it is the one by Hrithik. “I have idolised Michael Jackson since the time I first moved to a dance beat, I remember learning the moves through play pause mode for hours. I love his style and energy so when Bosco and Sid (Siddharth Anand) said Micheal Jackson, at first I thought there's no way I could match up, but then I thought I should do it for my love for him in my own style, my own way and where there is love, there is no fear. That made it fun,” hes reported to have said.  

Shahid Kapoor

One actor-dancer who has never failed to pay a tribute to his idol is Shahid Kapoor. Interestingly, the actor had actually shot a scene in which he played an MJ fan in Chance Pe Dance, days before the legend passed away.  However, the actor never fails to incorporate a dance or two as a tribute to his idol whenever he has to perform at events. Till now, he has been the only actor in Bollywood to consistently perform on MJ songs at almost every stage performance.

Tiger Shroff

He is a newbie, but this star-son has never held back his admiration for the legend, right from the time he made his first public appearance for the promotions of his debut film Heropanti. Tiger Shroffs fluid moves in the film corroborated the fact that he was truly a MJ fan. But he didnt stop at that. He recently shot a music video as a tribute to Jackson, where he danced on a mashup of Billie Jean and Whistle Baja, and released it on Teachers Day.  The actor has now evinced an interest in doing a biopic on the legend.  It's my dream to do that (a biopic on Michael Jackson). This has been at the back of my head for a long time, hes reported to have said. "I have done a lot of research on him. If at all I get an opportunity, I have to get into his body language and lose some weight. I would be more than happy to do this biopic," he added.

AR Rahman

The Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman has been an unabashed admirer of Jackson. The soft-spoken Oscar-winning musician has often been said to have modeled his career like the legend. Right from his singing to dressing to his music videos, you can see the Jackson stamp on Rahmans work. The musician, in fact, is one Indian fan who has also performed for his idol.  And the legend was said to have been quite keen to work with Rahman. Meeting him was everything and changed my life. He loved stuff I did and I loved stuff he did. He was such a nice person," recalled Rahman in an interview. "He was praising the chord progression of Jai Ho's (from Slumdog Millionaire) chorus. He asked me to compose a unity anthem on the lines of 'We are the World' for him. I nodded in awe," he added. 

Rahman, in fact, has devoted a subject on the legend in his music school, KM Music Conservatory, which he himself teaches regularly. (MJ was) one of the greatest musicians of our time pushed the milestone of pop music to unbelievable levels I am yet to find an artist with that energy, perfection and vision" said Rahman in the past.  His school, in fact, even Indianised two of MJ posthumous songs, Love never felt so good and Slave to the rhythm from the album Xscape, which released on the legends birthday on 29 August, this year.

Club of MJ fans

Sridevi  Staunch fan of MJ since her numero uno days. He is a subject of her paintings now!

Mithun Chakraborty  His disco avatar majorly influenced by MJ.  Also, named his son Mimoh, which stands for Mi = Michael Jackson and Mo= Mohammed Ali.

Jaaved Jaaferi  who made his debut as a dancing villain in Meri Jung, has been one of the earliest MJ loyalist in Bollywood. Often dances on the legends Smooth criminal.

Johnny Lever  His MJ act at award events were huge hit.  A huge fan of the legend, the comedian admitted that he and his family took a long time to get over Jacksons death.