Michael Jackson legacy: Does India's BTS generation really know the King of Pop?
The much-awaited Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, released on April 24. Global box office numbers reflect strong anticipation, but the film's performance in India has been okay so far rather than phenomenal as you'd expect, given the subject,
Michael Jackson has long been regarded as a true global superstar—but is that still the case, at least among Indian fans? In an era dominated by BTS and Taylor Swift, does the current generation even know and connect with the man who redefined pop?
Michael, the new biopic, and its underwhelming box office numbers in India raise these questions.
Michael’s box office
Let’s talk numbers first. Michael has delivered a record-breaking $217.4 million global opening weekend reports Box Office Mojo, the highest ever for a biopic. The film reportedly earned $97 million in the US—well above expectations—and $120.4 million overseas. As per reports, it has surpassed Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer ($80 million) domestically, while also outpacing Bohemian Rhapsody ($141 million) and Oppenheimer ($180.4 million) globally to set a new benchmark for the genre.
In India, Michael opened stronger than Project Hail Mary, surpassing its Day 1 gross of Rs 2.70 crore with Rs 6.48 crore, as per reports by Sacnilk. Notably, Project Hail Mary went on to become a major success in the country, grossing over Rs 80 crore. Michael has reportedly collected Rs 19.89 crore over its opening weekend, with Monday numbers expected to be in the Rs 2.5–3 crore net range.
As per reports, the film has also outperformed genre predecessors like Elvis, based on Elvis Presley, and Bohemian Rhapsody, which chronicled the life of Freddie Mercury. However, with no disrespect to these legends, Michael Jackson’s popularity in India surpasses both.
Michael Jackson for India
From school functions where professors danced on stage to Michael Jackson’s music, to fathers jumping into their daughters’ reel videos to match his iconic moves, the love for the King of Pop in India has always been unmistakable.
From celebrities like Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Prabhu Deva paying tribute through films and performances, to young dancers like Baba Jackson recreating his style, generations have kept his legacy alive—making this enduring admiration impossible to ignore.
Growing up on Michael Jackson’s music—often through a parent’s influence—has been a shared experience for many, with that connection only deepening over time. For several listeners, that early exposure has turned into rediscovery through films and pop culture today. His songs continue to feature in mainstream cinema, introducing him to newer audiences—for instance, Bad in Despicable Me 3, I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 in Guardians of the Galaxy, and references to Man in the Mirror in The Lego Batman Movie—along with countless nods to his signature moonwalk.
Michael Jackson performed in India only once—during his November 1996 tour—drawing nearly 33,000 fans to a packed stadium in Mumbai (then Bombay). Visuals from the concert that can be found on the internet, capture the frenzy he commanded among Indian audiences. Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently recalled meeting him during the tour, calling it “a feeling frozen in time” and “like touching a piece of magic,” adding that Jackson was “not just an artist, but an experience a phenomenon the world may never witness again.”
Why the below-expectation turn-out?
So, with a frenzy so evident, why hasn’t it translated into bigger box office numbers for Michael in India? Has the craze faded with time, with the younger audiences shifting their attention to newer global stars? Or perhaps the generation that experienced Michael Jackson’s peak isn’t turning up at theatres—or may not even be aware of the film’s release.
While younger audiences sworn to BTS may not know how immense Michael Jackson’s peak stardom was, he continues to command a significant following across India, especially in metro cities. Despite this, Michael has struggled to deliver box office numbers on par with films like Oppenheimer, let alone global blockbusters such as Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the Avatar franchise—raising questions about the gap between cultural legacy and present-day theatrical pull.
Minimal Marketing
Blame also lies with the makers of the biopic. Marketing in India was minimal—while fans knew the film was being made, not many were aware of its theatrical release.
During releases like Avengers: Endgame or Avatar: The Way of Water—two of the highest-grossing English films in India—the buzz felt like an Indian superstar’s film, perhaps greater. Even Oppenheimer vs Barbie became a major talking point at the time of its release. The distributors of Michael in India clearly failed to generate similar buzz around its release.
Negative reviews
Another major factor could be the largely negative reviews the film has received. Critics have questioned the authenticity of the biopic’s depiction, pointing out inconsistencies in key moments and timelines. Terms like “whitewashed” and “sanitised” have been widely used, as the film avoids addressing many of Michael Jackson’s more controversial phases, choosing instead to stay close to the Jackson family and present a largely celebratory take on his legacy. These headlines, which emerged immediately after release, may have further contributed to the lack of interest among the Indian audiences.
Don’t write the film off just yet
At the end of the day, a Michael Jackson biopic cannot be written off too soon. Indian audiences may be late to take notice, but could still drive the film’s performance in the coming days, much like western markets.
Trends suggest Michael is in the running to become one of the highest-grossing films of 2026 globally — whether India contributes meaningfully to that success remains to be seen.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, best known for Training Day, Michael brings together an experienced creative team. The film is written by John Logan, who previously penned Skyfall, and produced by Graham King, the force behind the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody on Freddie Mercury. The biopic features Jaafar Jackson, nephew of Michael Jackson and son of Jermaine Jackson, portraying the legendary star.
Michael Jackson has long been regarded as a true global superstar—but is that still the case, at least among Indian fans? In an era dominated by BTS and Taylor Swift, does the current generation even know and connect with the man who redefined pop?
Michael, the new biopic, and its underwhelming box office numbers in India raise these questions.
Michael’s box office
Let’s talk numbers first. Michael has delivered a record-breaking $217.4 million global opening weekend reports Box Office Mojo, the highest ever for a biopic. The film reportedly earned $97 million in the US—well above expectations—and $120.4 million overseas. As per reports, it has surpassed Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer ($80 million) domestically, while also outpacing Bohemian Rhapsody ($141 million) and Oppenheimer ($180.4 million) globally to set a new benchmark for the genre.
In India, Michael opened stronger than Project Hail Mary, surpassing its Day 1 gross of Rs 2.70 crore with Rs 6.48 crore, as per reports by Sacnilk. Notably, Project Hail Mary went on to become a major success in the country, grossing over Rs 80 crore. Michael has reportedly collected Rs 19.89 crore over its opening weekend, with Monday numbers expected to be in the Rs 2.5–3 crore net range.
As per reports, the film has also outperformed genre predecessors like Elvis, based on Elvis Presley, and Bohemian Rhapsody, which chronicled the life of Freddie Mercury. However, with no disrespect to these legends, Michael Jackson’s popularity in India surpasses both.
Michael Jackson for India
From school functions where professors danced on stage to Michael Jackson’s music, to fathers jumping into their daughters’ reel videos to match his iconic moves, the love for the King of Pop in India has always been unmistakable.
From celebrities like Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Prabhu Deva paying tribute through films and performances, to young dancers like Baba Jackson recreating his style, generations have kept his legacy alive—making this enduring admiration impossible to ignore.
Growing up on Michael Jackson’s music—often through a parent’s influence—has been a shared experience for many, with that connection only deepening over time. For several listeners, that early exposure has turned into rediscovery through films and pop culture today. His songs continue to feature in mainstream cinema, introducing him to newer audiences—for instance, Bad in Despicable Me 3, I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 in Guardians of the Galaxy, and references to Man in the Mirror in The Lego Batman Movie—along with countless nods to his signature moonwalk.
Michael Jackson performed in India only once—during his November 1996 tour—drawing nearly 33,000 fans to a packed stadium in Mumbai (then Bombay). Visuals from the concert that can be found on the internet, capture the frenzy he commanded among Indian audiences. Veteran actor Anupam Kher recently recalled meeting him during the tour, calling it “a feeling frozen in time” and “like touching a piece of magic,” adding that Jackson was “not just an artist, but an experience a phenomenon the world may never witness again.”
Why the below-expectation turn-out?
So, with a frenzy so evident, why hasn’t it translated into bigger box office numbers for Michael in India? Has the craze faded with time, with the younger audiences shifting their attention to newer global stars? Or perhaps the generation that experienced Michael Jackson’s peak isn’t turning up at theatres—or may not even be aware of the film’s release.
While younger audiences sworn to BTS may not know how immense Michael Jackson’s peak stardom was, he continues to command a significant following across India, especially in metro cities. Despite this, Michael has struggled to deliver box office numbers on par with films like Oppenheimer, let alone global blockbusters such as Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the Avatar franchise—raising questions about the gap between cultural legacy and present-day theatrical pull.
Minimal Marketing
Blame also lies with the makers of the biopic. Marketing in India was minimal—while fans knew the film was being made, not many were aware of its theatrical release.
During releases like Avengers: Endgame or Avatar: The Way of Water—two of the highest-grossing English films in India—the buzz felt like an Indian superstar’s film, perhaps greater. Even Oppenheimer vs Barbie became a major talking point at the time of its release. The distributors of Michael in India clearly failed to generate similar buzz around its release.
Negative reviews
Another major factor could be the largely negative reviews the film has received. Critics have questioned the authenticity of the biopic’s depiction, pointing out inconsistencies in key moments and timelines. Terms like “whitewashed” and “sanitised” have been widely used, as the film avoids addressing many of Michael Jackson’s more controversial phases, choosing instead to stay close to the Jackson family and present a largely celebratory take on his legacy. These headlines, which emerged immediately after release, may have further contributed to the lack of interest among the Indian audiences.
Don’t write the film off just yet
At the end of the day, a Michael Jackson biopic cannot be written off too soon. Indian audiences may be late to take notice, but could still drive the film’s performance in the coming days, much like western markets.
Trends suggest Michael is in the running to become one of the highest-grossing films of 2026 globally — whether India contributes meaningfully to that success remains to be seen.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, best known for Training Day, Michael brings together an experienced creative team. The film is written by John Logan, who previously penned Skyfall, and produced by Graham King, the force behind the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody on Freddie Mercury. The biopic features Jaafar Jackson, nephew of Michael Jackson and son of Jermaine Jackson, portraying the legendary star.
