Published : 21 Sep 2026, 02:23 PM
Updated : 21 Sep 2026, 02:23 PM
A musical collaboration between composer AR Rahman and pop icon Michael Jackson was reportedly being planned for Rajinikanth's "Enthiran" before Jackson's death.
Composer S Thaman spoke about the plan on the Honest Townhall show, Odisha TV reports.
"For Robo, Rahman planned a single with Michael Jackson. He was to meet in May, but the pop star died in June that year. Before that they actually met, designed the song, they wanted to compose for Rajinikanth," Thaman said, referring to the film by its Telugu title.
Reflecting on what could have been, Thaman added: "What collaboration it would have been for us, a lifetime memory."
Unforgettable Meeting
Rahman had previously spoken about meeting Jackson in Los Angeles shortly after winning two Oscars for “Slumdog Millionaire” in 2009.
The two discussed music and world peace, while Jackson also floated the idea of doing another “We Are the World”-type project.
Rahman also recalled Jackson introducing him to his children and showing him how he danced “from the heart”.
Shankar’s Idea
After returning to India, Rahman told director Shankar about the meeting.
Shankar then asked whether Jackson could sing for “Enthiran”.
“Shankar sir asked me if he would sing for the film,” Rahman recalled.
“I said, wow, will he sing a Tamil song?”
Rahman said Jackson appeared open to working together, telling him that they could collaborate on whatever he proposed.
The idea never materialised after Jackson died in June 2009.
A Times of India report later described the possibility as one that had been seriously considered, with Jackson potentially singing a track for the film.
What Might Have Been
Had it gone ahead, the project would have brought together Rajinikanth, Rahman and Michael Jackson on one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious science-fiction films.
Directed by Shankar, “Enthiran” was released in 2010 and became a major commercial success.
Its sequel, “2.0”, followed in 2018, again with music by Rahman.
