Michael Jackson's tragic death stuns Bollywood

"An exceptional artist has gone. Someone that created an almost outer world experience for all of us with his art," wrote Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan in his June 28, 2009 blog on the tragic early death of Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," at the age of 50. And how right he is! We never saw anyone like Michael Jackson nor are we likely to soon. His music, life and talent touched virtually every community in the world. Michael Jackson broke all barriers of language, culture caste or religion and had fans in the biggest metros and remotest villages .

And so he did in Bollywood. Michael Jackson's influence on the Indian film industry is not a mystery. In fact, no one has inspired and stirred Bollywood's imagination like Michael Jackson – whether it is his music, dance, choreography, his music video sets or even his quirky fashion style. Though no one has quite yet been able to replicate the late singer's iconic moon walk, his dance style has become an integral part of Bollywood movies – just one look at the shimmying and gyrating of actors like Mithun Chakraborty, Javed Jaffrey, Hrithik Roshan, Govinda, Chiranjeevi and Prabhudeva and the music of Bappi Lahiri and A. R. Rahman is evidence enough.

Michael Jackson's death has staggered Bollywood and soon after his death was announced, his anguished admirers in Bollywood fell all over each other to pay tributes. Director Subhash Ghai, said "Michael Jackson was a symbol of fire, passion and talented energy who changed people's thinking," and acknowledged that "Youth followed him worldwide, including India, and our film music and dances have been heavily influenced by him." 

Director Madhur Bhandarkar added, "We have been listening to his songs since the 1980s. The kind of euphoria that he created at that time was amazing. His death is a great loss - but he will always remain the king of music." 

To choreographer, Farah Khan Jackson's death was particularly shocking. "I officially had no training in dance and whatever I learnt was from watching Michael Jackson by watching his videos, especially ‘Thriller' over and over again. I consider him as my guru." 

Actor Sanjay Dutt summed up the feelings of many when he said, "I have never seen an artist with so much talent. He was a great performer and a super entertainer."
Actress Shilpa Shetty, said that she thought her father was joking when he relayed the news to her. "I still can't believe Michael Jackson is gone. When my Dad told me I thought he was joking. I have always been a huge fan of Michael. I'm shattered. I had booked tickets to watch his show at 02 in London. They got cancelled and re-scheduled. To call him an icon would be an understatement. I still can't believe it!" 

And Mithun Chakraborty (the original Disco Dancer), who also named his son after Michael Jackson, added, "He can never go. He will always be with us. He was the greatest ever. The God of dancing. Immortal!" 

Even the younger generation of singers and directors are not unaffected by this unexpected loss. Young Punjabi singer Sukhwinder Singh felt, "Michael Jackson was an international icon and he was such an inspiration. I see him perhaps as the best performer that ever existed. One did not need to meet him to feel the loss. It is very sad to see that such a great and incredible superstar leave us so early. It's such a great loss to the international music and there nobody who can fill this vacuum in coming years. Watching him or listening to him was invigorating for musician's world over. Music lovers were waiting for his come back tours and they were all sold out concerts. Young playback singer, Sunidhi Chauhan, had this to add, "He was the one and only. My favorite song of his was ‘I just cant stop loving you.'" 

The tributes go on and one. But it was music director, who boldly put into words the injustices and tragedy that dogged this gentle superstar all through his young life. "Michael Jackson the king of pop, the king of music, the king of kings was insulted and humiliated in his lifetime. They called him wacko jacko. They didn't know, such a legend would never return to our world. The same people want to sing his praises now. MJ was a gentle soul, a remarkable musician, a true rock star. I want to remember him by his music. I'm heartbroken by his death. And I'm amused how everyone is tripping over to praise this great soul. May be the soul of this great achiever rest in ever-lasting peace.

Yes, Michael, sweet prince, I hope heaven is a happy place for you.    

[ BY A. SHARMA ]