In a moment of nostalgic reflection, Indian actor and comedian Jaaved Jaaferi shared an endearing encounter with the global icon Michael Jackson during a dance reality show. The multi-faceted Jaaved Jaaferi, known for introducing breakdancing to India, took a trip down memory lane as he discussed his intimate meeting with the ‘King of Pop.’
Michael Jackson, whose four-decade-long career transformed the landscape of music, dance, and fashion, created ripples across the globe, not least for his invention of the iconic ‘moonwalk.’ It was during a special episode of ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,’ a celebrity dance reality program, that Jaaved Jaaferi reminisced about the time he had the privilege of interacting with Jackson in the bustling city of New York.
The setting was a prestigious award ceremony hosted by an Indian society that had chosen to honor Jackson. Jaaved Jaaferi was in the unique position of hosting the event at the critical moment Jackson took to the stage. According to Jaaferi, the stage was devoid of others, allowing for a moment of personal connection with the megastar. Describing the encounter, Jaaferi said, “As he was coming up, I shared that moment with him, and when he was leaving, I was like, ‘I won’t let him go,’ and I asked, ‘Can I give you a hug?’ He said, ‘Yes, of course,’ and he lovingly hugged me.”
This heartfelt exchange wasn’t just brief celebrity-to-celebrity contact; it was a deeply special moment for Jaaferi, one that bestowed upon him a sense of recognition from a star of incomparable magnitude. “It was a very special moment because Michael Jackson hugged me. So, it will remain with me forever. I had introduced him on stage at the event, and he said, ‘Oh, you did a wonderful job, thank you.’ I said, ‘It’s a big thing for me.’ He is on a different level,” Jaaferi recalled with evident emotion.
The ‘Bala’ fame actor also recounted a personal anecdote that resonated with countless fans who admired Jackson’s electrifying performances. When Michael Jackson was due to perform in Mumbai, his pregnant wife, then carrying their son Meezaan Jaaferi, insisted on watching the King of Pop live. Despite being eight months pregnant, she accompanied Jaaved to experience the magic of Jackson’s performance firsthand, undeterred by her condition, standing in the front row to cheer for him.
During the grand evening on ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,’ a mesmerizing performance by contestant Sreerama Chandra captivated the hearts of the audience and judges alike. Alongside his choreographer Sonali Kar, Chandra expertly interpreted the song ‘Roshni Se’ from the movie ‘Asoka,’ breathing new life into the classic number. Their performance promised to redefine the song’s appeal, underscored by a unique and innovative twist.
Jaaved was highly impressed by Chandra’s performance and expressed his thoughts, drawing parallels to his own experiences and aspirations: “Like Michael Jackson, millions of people want to be a complete performer, and you also have a journey that you are trying to become a complete performer.” He proceeded to lavish praise on Chandra’s singing and dancing abilities, recognizing his potential for greatness.
This memorable episode of ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,’ which airs on Sony, concluded with Jaaved extending his best wishes to the aspiring performers, his parting words encapsulating the evening’s spirit and encouraging budding talent to reach for the stars.
