Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2017)

While Justin Bieber enthralled his fans with an electrifying performance at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium last night, not many know what the Canadian pop sensation did soon after arriving in Mumbai at 1.30 am on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old singer went straight to his hotel from the airport, and soon after, left for a quick darshan of South Mumbai. A source said, “He was on his toes since his arrival. Instead of resting at the hotel, he explored the streets of Mumbai. Accompanied by his security in-charge Shera and a couple of his personal bodyguards, Bieber visited the Gateway Of India at 4 am. He got off the car and enjoyed a stroll on the road, before returning to the hotel.“

The source added, “Initially, Bieber wanted to walk around the streets without security, but he wasn't allowed to because given his immense popularity, it would have been a security hazard.“ After coming back to the hotel, Bieber enjoyed a traditional Kerala massage by a special masseuse flown down from the southern state. Later, he took off for his performance on a chopper from Mahalaxmi Race Course.

TIGHT SECURITY IN PLACE
Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera, who has previously handled the security of various international artistes touring the country, including Michael Jackson, Peter Andre, Diana King and Keanu Reeves, spoke to BT about the special arrangements made for the singer. He said, “I have a team of around 50 people working with me. I will be with him throughout the tour and have been stationed in the hotel since Sunday.“

Talking about the pressures of handling an international celebrity like Bieber, he added, “The stressful part is handling the press and the crowd. Justin has a huge fan following among the youth. Many of my friends and acquaintances have been seeking my help to get a picture clicked with him, but I am very professional. Even my son called up from the US saying that he is coming down to see Bieber, but I asked him to go to the concert on his own.“
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Justin on his toes since landing in city — visits Gateway at 3 am, relishes tandoori delicacies, grabs impromptu coffee at Vashi mall
MID-DAY (May 11, 2017)

India, you are next, Justin Bieber announced on Twitter, a day ahead of his visit to the country as part of the Purpose World Tour. His fans responded by turning up in huge numbers at the city airport’s Kalina gate at 1.30 am yesterday to welcome the Canadian singer ahead of last evening’s gig. Following a two-day delay in his arrival owing to an extended stay in Dubai, Bieber landed in Mumbai amid much fanfare.

Sporting a pink hoodie, he was accompanied by Salman Khan’s bodyguard, Shera, who is overlooking security arrangements for his India stay. An entourage of vehicles, including a Rolls Royce awaited the Grammy-award winner at the airport. He was driven to St Regis Hotel in Lower Parel, where preparations for his arrival have been underway for the past few days, as first reported by mid-day.

A source said, “Soon after reaching the hotel, Bieber wanted to head out and party, or at least play snooker at a club. When told that Mumbai doesn’t have a 24/7 party scene, he asked for a quick tour of the city.”

Mumbai darshan at 3 am
With five security officials and three cars following him, the source adds, Bieber left the hotel at 3 am. “He enjoyed views of the Gateway of India and Kala Ghoda in South Mumbai. He also made a dash to Navi Mumbai for a quick recce of the venue and suggested a few production changes.”

After the four-hour drive, Bieber returned to the hotel, where an array of gifts were laid out for him. “He also asked to try Indian tandoor dishes. Bieber is a big fan of chicken and paneer tikka,” the source says.

Out and about
In a video going viral, Bieber is seen meeting a bunch of less-privileged children on a bus, a garland around his neck. He shakes hands with them and enquires, “You guys good?” The children were given free passes to the concert. He even played a game of football with them.

On his way to the venue, he made a pit stop at a shopping mall near Vashi station. As he walked in with minimum security around him, onlookers were taken by surprise. He went up to the counter of an international coffee chain with his bodyguards in tow and ordered for four coffees — Iced Kenya in pour-over.