Stage fright: The hard realities of India's soft power

When basic amenities like sanitation, crowd control, and transportation are neglected, it reflects a lack of respect for both the audience and the performers. The ripple effects are significant.

- SUNDEEP BHUTORIA

India’s ascent as a global cultural powerhouse is undeniable. Ranked among the top five nations for cultural exports, India’s soft power rests on a robust entertainment sector. Reuters reports that revenue from India’s live entertainment market is expected to reach $1.7 billion by 2026, positioning it among the top global markets. Despite these impressive figures, systemic infrastructural shortcomings hinder the country’s ability to fully capitalise on its soft power. From chaotic concert logistics to mismanaged global events, India’s infrastructure crisis undermines its aspirations and risks tarnishing its reputation.

The recent surge in international music tours, sporting events, and cultural festivals has shone a harsh spotlight on this issue, with inadequate planning and execution letting the nation down time and again. The consequences are far-reaching, impacting not only public safety and comfort but also the country’s international reputation. Tickets for international acts like Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Bryan Adams sell out within hours, with prices ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹50,000. However, the experience often falls short, marred by poor planning and execution that put audience comfort and safety at risk.

Consider Bryan Adams’s concert in Mumbai, where concert-goer Sheldon Aranjo’s harrowing experience, which he took to social media to speak about, highlighted the lack of basic sanitation. With only three toilets available for thousands of attendees, many were forced into humiliating and unsanitary situations. Similarly, in Shillong, a single entry and exit point for 30,000 attendees created massive bottlenecks. These logistical nightmares are not isolated incidents but symptomatic of deeper systemic issues.