In the chronicles of Indian entertainment, there is a distinct “Before” and “After.” The dividing line was drawn on a humid November night in 1996, when the King of Pop, MICHAEL JACKSON, descended upon Mumbai. It was a moment of cultural tectonic shifts—a feat of “pure madness” that didn’t just host a global icon; it birthed a multi-billion-dollar industry.
To mark the 30th anniversary of this historic HIStory World Tour, Wizcraft Entertainment Agency recently hosted a special screening of the biopic MICHAEL at PVR Mumbai, turning a cinematic tribute into a profound reflection on a legacy that redefined India’s global stature.
The Architects of the Impossible
The story of Michael Jackson in India is inextricably linked to the audacious spirit of the Wizcraft trio—Andre Timmins, Viraf Sarkari, and Sabbas Joseph. In 1996, they weren’t just event managers; they were three dreamers operating in an era of analog logistics and closed borders. Bringing MJ to Mumbai was a logistical Everest, involving unprecedented cultural hurdles, government approvals, and the skepticism of a nation that had never seen a spectacle of this magnitude.
The magnitude of that night remains the foundational DNA of the Indian live events industry. Before MJ, “production” in India was rudimentary; after MJ, it became an art form. The arrival of two massive Russian Antonov planes carrying shipping containers of equipment—stages, lights, and sound systems the likes of which the subcontinent had never witnessed—signaled that India had finally entered the global arena. This wasn’t just a concert; it was the awakening of a sleeping giant in the world of entertainment.
Inside the Eye of the Storm: From a Fax to the Stage
Behind the polished performance lay a series of high-stakes, surreal moments that the founders recently shared, reflecting on the “madness” of those three days in Mumbai:
- The Prank that Wasn’t: The journey began with a buzzing fax machine. In a pre-internet era, the team initially thought the request for an India tour was a prank. It took a leap of faith and a flight to Los Angeles with “no money in their pockets” to realize the King of Pop was serious about Mumbai.
- Logistical Madness: Air Traffic Control was so stunned by the Antonov cargo planes that they made them circle the airport twice, unsure if such massive aircraft could even land. On the ground, the team literally had to break down physical walls at the venue to fit 20 massive shipping containers.
- The Human Icon: Beyond the superstar was a man who insisted on stopping his motorcade in Dharavi to dance with locals and hosted a tea party for 500 orphaned children at the Oberoi.
- The Final Message: Before departing, Michael left a spiritual signature on India, scribbling messages of love on his hotel pillow, towel, and bedsheet—items that remain sacred artifacts of that era.
The Visionaries in Their Own Words
Reflecting on the journey from that singular, restless storm to becoming the powerhouse behind global IPs like the IIFA Awards, the founders shared poignant insights:
Andre Timmins captures the youthful defiance: “When people told us it was impossible, we laughed because we were too young to know impossible. Bringing Michael Jackson to India was pure madness, passion, and faith. That one night wasn’t just a concert… it was history, and I’m still smiling at the thought that three dreamers from Mumbai made India moonwalk.”
Viraf Sarkari on the technical scale: “I’ll never forget the sight of those two Antonov planes landing… it was another universe of production, and to build it all here for MJ was like creating magic from scratch.”
Sabbas Joseph on the systemic shift: “That event transformed everything. It changed how governments, corporations, and sponsors looked at entertainment in India. Suddenly Wizcraft wasn’t just a start-up of dreamers; we became a business that could deliver the impossible.”
A Revolution That Never Ended
The depth of this 30-year legacy lies in how it transitioned India from a utility-based market to a design-led, experiential powerhouse. That 1996 visit sparked the rise of India’s modern live events sector, turning it into a vital engine for tourism and youth engagement.
As the screening of MICHAEL concluded in Mumbai, the sentiment in the room was clear: the biopic was a look at a man, but the evening was a celebration of a movement. The Wizcraft trio didn’t just bring a star to Mumbai; they built the stage upon which all future Indian legends would stand. Thirty years later, the echo of that tour remains the heartbeat of every stadium light and every roaring crowd across the nation.
About the Film #MICHAEL in theatres now!
Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.
