The recent buzz around Allu Arjun allegedly watching Michael has once again highlighted Tollywood’s enduring fascination with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. For decades, Telugu cinema has borrowed, celebrated, and reinterpreted MJ’s signature style—especially his iconic dance moves.
Long before this, megastar Chiranjeevi paid a memorable tribute to MJ in Donga with the chartbuster “Golimaar,” widely believed to be inspired by Thriller. His energetic moves and stylized choreography struck a chord with Telugu audiences. Producer-director M. S. Raju recalls, “It was a massive hit, and Chiranjeevi’s moves instantly connected with fans since he is one of the finest dancers.” He further adds that he collaborated with dance icon Prabhu Deva—a known admirer of Michael Jackson—to direct his films like Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana and Pournami, though they didn’t fully explore MJ-inspired choreography in those projects. ‘Prabhu Deva is staunch admirer of MJ but we didn’t have opportunity to use them in our movies,” he adds
Similarly, Prabhas showcased MJ-inspired steps in “Nartana Tara” from Ek Niranjan (2009), blending mass appeal with global dance influences. Filmmakers like S. V. Krishna Reddy has also drawn from MJ’s socially charged music, particularly They Don’t Care About Us, adapting its tone and visual style into Telugu storytelling.
The influence extends further. The song “Paataku Pranam” from Vasu, starring Venkatesh Daggubati, is often noted for its resemblance to Billie Jean. Meanwhile, the film Nene Michael (2017) reflects how deeply the pop icon’s persona has permeated regional cinema culture. “Most Telugu stars and directors admire Michael Jackson—his uniqueness in music, dance, and thought-provoking albums. Using his style in our films has always been a tribute to the legend,” notes M. S. Raju says that it’s perfect time to recall the icon as his biopic hit screens in Telugu states.
As for Allu Arjun, from Arya’s “Feel My Love” rain sequence to many of his later chartbusters, his performances frequently incorporate elements like the moonwalk and MJ-style body isolations, making him one of the closest modern-day Telugu stars to carry forward that legacy.
“Michael Jackson’s imprint on Tollywood remains unmistakable—living on through generations of stars who continue to reinterpret his magic for Indian audiences,” concludes M S Raju.
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