AR Rahman and Michael Jackson Planned 2009 Collaboration
The iconic musicians signed a deal in May 2009 to compose a song for the film Enthiran before Jackson passed away.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in World
In May 2009, AR Rahman and Michael Jackson signed a formal agreement to collaborate on a track for the Indian film Enthiran. The ambitious project was cut short when Jackson died on June 25, 2009.
Why it matters
The musicians intended to create a signature song for actor Rajinikanth, representing a rare crossover attempt between global pop and Indian cinema. The partnership highlights the historical reach of Indian filmmakers toward international stars.
The film Enthiran, which served as the intended destination for the collaboration, was released in 2010. Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, prior to the project completion.
The players
AR Rahman
He is an internationally acclaimed Indian music composer and producer known for his extensive work in film scores.
Michael Jackson
He was an American singer and songwriter widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
Rajinikanth
He is a prominent Indian film actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema and was the intended subject for the proposed song.
Thaman
He is an Indian film music composer who recently pursued international collaborations for his projects.
Britney Spears
She is an American pop singer who was approached by Thaman for a potential English-language single release.
The details
AR Rahman and Michael Jackson met to design a specific song for the production, but the passing of the pop icon halted all work on the piece. Separately, composer Thaman later attempted a similar international crossover by recruiting Britney Spears for the song Dope in the film Game Changer, though that project also failed due to release delays.
Timeline
AR Rahman and Michael Jackson signed their collaboration deal in May 2009.
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009.
The film Enthiran was released in theaters in 2010.
Industry Dynamics
The aborted collaboration for Enthiran highlights a long-standing ambition within Indian cinema to integrate global pop icons into local productions. These efforts follow a pattern of attempting high-profile international crossovers to expand the reach of Indian film soundtracks.
Fans of AR Rahman and Michael Jackson are unable to access the proposed song because the collaboration was never completed. This history illustrates the logistical and timing challenges associated with large-scale international music projects.
The takeaway
These unrealized projects serve as a reminder that even the most high-profile creative partnerships are subject to the constraints of timing and external circumstances. Aspiring collaborators in any industry should prioritize project agility to ensure completion before external factors intervene.
Further reading
Explore more global stories at World entertainment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GULF NEWS.
