'Michael’ release: When Hrithik Roshan met Michael Jackson on ‘Kites’ sets

At a time when there was no social media or the so-called 'Viral' culture, one man - Michael Jackson, gained much traction from all over the world and the expectations were high as his biopic 'Michael' has hit the big screens recently.As 'Michael' hits theatres worldwide, an old memory involving Hrithik Roshan is gaining attention again. The actor once had a brief yet unforgettable meeting with Michael Jackson. The incident took place in 2008 during the shooting of Kites in Los Angeles.During the shoot, Hrithik was in his makeup room when something unusual happened. He noticed a quiet yet striking presence entering the space. What followed became one of his most memorable experiences.Recalling the moment, Hrithik shared in an interview with Farhan Akhtar on his talk show, “I was in my makeup room when two bodyguards came in, followed by a slender, pale man with long hair. Glancing at the mirror, I thought… this must be Michael Jackson… then he approached me saying, ‘Hi, I am Michael, nice to meet you.’”The encounter was brief, but its impact was profound. Hrithik admitted that he did not immediately process what had just happened. It took him a few moments to realise the magnitude of the meeting.Speaking about it later, he said, “He shook my hand. He went. "I went back to my makeup. Suddenly, after two minutes, I realise what I am doing. What am I doing here if Michael Jackson is in the next room?. It took me time to absorb the fact. When it hit me…I caught up and we took some pictures and all. Big fan of his dance…”The delayed reaction made the moment even more relatable. It showed how overwhelming such encounters can be.Meanwhile, 'Michael' has now been released in theatres. The film is a biographical drama based on the life of Michael Jackson. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan.On its opening day in India, Michael registered a decent start. According to Sacnilk, the film earned a net collection of Rs 3.8 crore on Day 1. Including Rs 1.7 crore from paid previews, the total India net stands at Rs 5.5 crore. The gross collection reached Rs 6.6 crore.