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ShareAlmost 13 years after his only visit to this city, it must still seem remarkable that Michael Jackson came here at the behest of the Shiv Sena. Just what was the meeting ground between an ultra-right party and a pop singer whose every gesture could be seen as culturally invasive is as much a conundrum today as it was then.
Be that as it may, Jackson's concert became the talking point of the country before and after the event. En route to the Oberoi at Nariman Point from the airport, for instance, Jackson stopped to meet street urchins against security advice.
If that was a good public relations exercise, he also had a brief halt at Matoshree to meet the Thackerays. This was a visit that has since gained immortality because it was famously reported that Jackson used the toilet in the house of the Sena supremo.
But that could not have been the only reason for the halt, surely. The Thackerays have a passion for showbiz, and it could not have been lost on the pop star that he was visiting perhaps the most powerful family in the state.
The concert lived up to the hype. Jackson was effortless and ebullient in his showmanship. Surprisingly, Mumbai's snob set had not turned out in large numbers. There was a fair smattering of Bollywood stars, but few 'biggies'. Those that hadn't come missed a memorable show.
Interestingly, the concert was deemed a financial flop and Raj Thackeray was compelled to organise another with Lata Mangeshkar to raise funds for the 27 lakh unemployed youth whom the Shiv Udyog Sena wanted to help.
There was some talk in political circles then that Raj's attempts to woo the limelight would not go down well within the party, but these were quickly dismissed. He was, after all, the heir apparent, and Uddhav seemed keener on photography and other creative pursuits. Ten years later, Raj split to form his own party while the Sena is headed by Uddhav.
But that, of course, is another story.
