Justin Bieber in Bombay

A lot of fanfare is on in anticipation of the pop sensation Justin Bieber’s visit to India. His itinerary is a closely guarded secret, with no one willing to talk about when he is expected to set foot in India, or where will he stay, or places he goes.

Hype and hoopla associated with the Western popstars visiting India is neither new nor unprecedented. Couple of decades ago Michael Jackson made a trip to Bombay, which was not yet Mumbai. He visited MATOSHREE, the residence of Bal Thackarey - the head of Siv Sena. 

After giving the Rockstar a rockstar's welcome, the undisputed Don of Bombay and the self proclaimed growling Tiger who scared the hell out of the city's citizens, cowered like a Kitten, posing for a photograph with MJ.

The lord of Bombay even went on boasting, being privileged by Michael Jackson using his loo. More than the Moonwalker's ever gyrating hips, his residues left in Balasaheb's residence mattered the most, the later openly expressed how blessed he was by the American doing so at his home.

Not long ago Justin Beiber had the largest number of followers on twitter. His records are blockbusters topping the chart. I can't remember anyone capturing the imagination of teenagers in recent times the way he has done. Girls swoon and go crazy over him. Boys emulate and desire to be him. Fans flock in hordes from neighboring nations when he has his concerts outside North America.

Alas, celebrity status does not come free. Too much fame can make one infamous. Some of his actions are not exactly worth idolizing. Success had apparently gone to his young man's head and at an young age he lacked maturity to handle it. 

Three years ago he was caught throwing eggs at his neighbor's home in LA. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of careless driving and resisting arrest seven months after his arrest in Miami Beach following what police initially called an illegal street drag race. 

At that time cops stopped his Lamborghini in Miami and charged him with possession of drugs and DUI (driving Under Influence). Not to mention in early 2004, he was caught in a kinky incident involving several girls inside his Limousine at his home country Canada. 

Reminds me of a stanza from Kishore Kumar' s song from movie NAMAK HARAAM (True to the Salt)

DAULAT AUR JAWANI

EK DIN KHO JAATI HAI;

SACH KAHTA HUNSARI DUNIYA

DUSHMAN BAN JAATI HAI.

(Wealth and youth, 

One day one goes away;

Truly speaking, the whole world 

From you turns away). 

Nothing sounds more prophetic. Sooner or later a new music star will eclipse him. Another celebrity will surpass him as far as twitter goes. World has seen Michael Jacksons and Britney Spears. Nothing lasts forever, never has.