Antoine Fuqua’s biopic “Michael” focuses on the life of the legendary pop icon Michael Jackson, featuring Jaafar Jackson, the artist’s nephew, in his acting debut. Although the film has received predominantly negative reviews from critics, it has demonstrated resilience at the box office amidst competition from other local titles.
As per trade reports, “Michael” garnered ₹2.30 crore net in India on its sixth day in theaters, bringing its total domestic earnings to ₹23.45 crore. The film opened with ₹3.70 crore and saw initial interest with ₹1.70 crore during its premiere night. Strong weekend numbers followed, with collections of ₹5.25 crore and ₹5.85 crore on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Despite experiencing a dip on Monday with ₹2.25 crore, it rebounded on Tuesday, earning ₹2.40 crore.
In light of the film’s release, Dan Reed, the Emmy-winning director of “Leaving Neverland,” has publicly criticized the biopic. Reed, known for documenting the allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson, expressed concerns about the portrayal of Jackson’s character. He argued that the film promotes a misleading narrative, particularly regarding Jackson’s relationships with children.
Reed specifically addressed scenes depicting Jackson visiting sick children in hospitals, asserting that they create an impression of innocence and philanthropy that fails to acknowledge the complexity of the allegations against him. He emphasized the need to respect the accounts of those who have accused Jackson, suggesting that the film diminishes their experiences by framing them as falsehoods.
The criticism of “Michael” extends beyond Reed, as multiple reviewers have claimed that the film glosses over significant aspects of Jackson’s life, effectively “whitewashing” his image. The controversy surrounding the film continues to unfold, reflecting ongoing societal discussions about Jackson’s legacy. As “Michael” approaches the end of its first week in theaters, it remains to be seen how audience reception will evolve in the face of these criticisms.