Justin Bieber in India : His encounters with the coolest and the poorest

Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour came to Mumbai. An international pop sensation landed in India and the whole world went crazy over the “Sorry” hitmaker. News came pouring in describing Bieber’s back-stage demands – ranging from a Rolls Royce to a Jacuzzi as outrageous. The die-hard Bieber fans got poor by a whopping 76,000 to watch him perform live. At the venue, a mineral water bottle which otherwise costs Rs. 20 was sold at Rs. 100. Teenagers who proclaim themselves as “Beliebers” were chaperoned by their parents in this one big celebration of music. The D.Y. Stadium looked spectacular with the incredible pyrotechnics and world class audio-visual finery.

When a superstar takes the stage, the world lights up. #JioBeliebers #JustinBieberIndia @justinbieber pic.twitter.com/r8glCNIj80

— Reliance Jio (@reliancejio) May 10, 2017

Stars, right from Alia Bhatt to Sonali Bendre to Malaika Arora made their presence felt at the concert.

@iamsonalibendre looks all set to rock to @JustinBieber's tunes! #JustinBieber #sonalibendre

A post shared by Jio (@reliancejio) on May 10, 2017 at 5:59am PDT

When 'Ikk Kudi' @aliaabhatt met @JustinBieber! #JustinBieber #JustinBieberIndia #justinbieber #aliabhatt #jiobeliebers

A post shared by Jio (@reliancejio) on May 10, 2017 at 6:18am PDT

The ravishing @malaikaarorakhanofficial says hello to all you #JioBeliebers! #JustinBieber #JustinBieberIndia

A post shared by Jio (@reliancejio) on May 10, 2017 at 6:59am PDT

He performed with the Indian flag on stage, and that was undoubtedly the evening’s highlight.

#JustinBieber rocks the DY Patil Stadium by performing for #SORRY with the Indian flag #JustinBieberIndia @justinbieber #PurposeTourIndia pic.twitter.com/PBfFa40zAd

— pinkvilla (@pinkvilla) May 10, 2017

This pomp and show associated with Bieber’s visit to India was accompanied by a stark contrast. Earlier in the day, he visited a slum area in Mumbai

https://twitter.com/JBCrewTour/status/862235302588534784

https://twitter.com/JBCrewTour/status/862235658647220224

India’s dichotomy has never been clearer. The depraved slums vs. the scintillating stadium, the poverty vs. the Rs. 70,000 audience. Which image of India will Bieber take home with him? Also, why are slums a must-visit on almost every foreign celebrity’s itinerary in India? The impoverished India walks hand-in-hand with the India that can spend almost 10 times more than the country’s per-capita income on a single night. Juxtaposing two different portraits of India will be a tricky job for the onlookers covering this grand event and it is to be seen, which image stays on the collective memory longer – the coolest or the poorest?

Judging by the past experience, it will most probably be the latter. We have a long way to change that about ourselves. Till then, Love Yourself !

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