14 Years of Enthiran: When AR Rahman Nearly Brought Michael Jackson to Sing for Rajinikanth’s Iconic Film
Picture Credits: LA Phil
By Pavethran Batmanathen
It’s been 14 years since Enthiran hit the big screens, and the film still stands as a milestone in Tamil cinema. Directed by the visionary Shankar Shanmugam, this science fiction marvel was the first in the Enthiran film series. Starring the legendary Rajinikanth in dual roles as both a scientist and a humanoid robot, the movie featured Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as his love interest. Released on October 1, 2010, Enthiran received widespread acclaim for its innovative storyline, gripping music, and Rajinikanth’s outstanding performance.
The songs of the film continue to captivate listeners even today, retaining a freshness that has stood the test of time. However, there’s a fascinating piece of trivia about the film’s music that few may know, and it’s bound to blow your mind!
In a revelation that sent waves of excitement through fans, music maestro AR Rahman shared that he had almost succeeded in bringing none other than Michael Jackson on board to sing for Enthiran. Yes, the King of Pop nearly lent his voice to a song in this Tamil blockbuster.
During a meet-and-greet session with fans in Malaysia earlier this year, Rahman recounted the incredible sequence of events. In early 2009, while he was in Los Angeles, Rahman was introduced to someone who managed Michael Jackson. Naturally intrigued, he asked if he could meet the pop icon. “An email was sent, but there was no response for about a week,” Rahman recalled. Then, something magical happened—Rahman was nominated for the Oscars for Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. This momentous event opened doors. “Michael’s team reached out and said he wanted to meet me,” Rahman said. However, at that point, Rahman had a different vision. “I said, I don’t want to meet him just yet. I’ll meet him after I’ve won the Oscar,” he shared, smiling.
And so it happened. After winning the coveted Oscar, Rahman met Michael Jackson in Los Angeles, describing the encounter as nothing short of surreal. “I met him at a house in LA the day after my win. He was very gracious. We talked about music, world peace, and shared ideas. Michael even said, ‘Why don’t we do the next We Are The World together?’ He also introduced me to his kids and showed me how he dances from the heart,” Rahman reminisced.
Upon returning to India, Rahman eagerly told Enthiran director Shankar about his unforgettable meeting with Michael Jackson. This prompted Shankar to ask an exciting question: Could Michael Jackson sing for Enthiran? Rahman was equally enthusiastic but skeptical at the same time. “I asked, would he really sing a Tamil song? I was amazed by the idea,” Rahman said, recalling the conversation. Michael Jackson had responded with, “Whatever you want, we’ll do together.”
But sadly, fate had other plans. In June 2009, Michael Jackson tragically passed away before any collaboration could happen. Rahman reflected, “He was unwell at that time.” The dream of having one of the world’s greatest performers sing in a Tamil film remained unfulfilled, but the story serves as a poignant reminder of how close it came to reality.
The tale of what could have been adds yet another layer to the legacy of Enthiran, making its success all the more remarkable. Even without Michael Jackson’s voice, the film’s music continues to shine, leaving fans to imagine how different it could have been with the King of Pop’s touch.
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