Mumbai struck with Justin Bieber fever before first India concert

Justin Bieber mania swept Mumbai on Wednesday as the Canadian pop star hit town to give his first concert in India in front of 45,000 fans.

“Beliebers” from across the nation have flocked to the commercial capital to see their idol perform hits like Baby and Sorry on the latest stop of his “Purpose World Tour”.

“I’ve been listening to his music for five years. I absolutely love him as an artist and I’m very excited to be seeing him,” said 18-year-old student Rahul Tiwari, who had travelled from neighbouring Gujarat state.

Fans who gathered outside Mumbai’s airport got their first glimpse of the superstar when he touched down in the city at 1.30 am on a chartered flight from Dubai.

Indian television channels aired mobile phone footage of Bieber carrying a bouquet of flowers and wearing a pink hoodie, dark shorts and white trainers as he walked from the airport to a waiting car with his entourage.

The 23-year-old is to perform to a sell-out crowd at the D Y Patil Stadium, a venue more used to hosting cricket and football matches than international pop stars.