At least 73 mobile phones valued at Rs 23.85 lakh were reported stolen during Enrique Iglesias' sold-out concert at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on October 29, 2025, prompting the BKC Police Station to register seven First Information Reports (FIRs). The incident, confirmed by police officials on Friday, affected a diverse group of attendees, including a makeup artist, a hotelier, students, a journalist, and several businessmen, amid a crowd exceeding 25,000 enthusiastic fans. Tickets for the event started at Rs 7,000, reflecting the high demand for the Grammy-winning singer's return to India after a 13-year hiatus. Authorities suspect organised pickpocketing gangs exploited the dense, distracted throng and blaring music to execute the thefts undetected, turning a night of musical euphoria into a sobering reminder of urban vulnerabilities at large-scale gatherings.
The thefts marred what was otherwise a triumphant kickoff to Iglesias' "Enrique Iglesias Live in Concert – India Tour 2025", his first Mumbai performance since 2012, where he delivered a 90-minute setlist packed with nostalgic hits like "Hero", "Bailando", and "Escape". Opening acts Jonita Gandhi and the EDM duo Progressive Brothers set an electric tone, but the real magic unfolded as Iglesias, the 50-year-old Latin pop icon, commanded the dual-stage setup with synchronised lights, pyrotechnics, and confetti bursts, drawing roars from a star-studded audience that included Bollywood figures such as Malaika Arora, Vidya Balan, Rakul Preet Singh, and influencer Orry. A viral moment captured Iglesias catching a fan's tossed phone mid-song, snapping a cheeky selfie with a peace sign, and hurling it back, amplifying the night's interactive charm despite the underlying security lapses.
Investigators from the BKC Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas while urging victims to come forward with additional details to aid in tracking the culprits. Early leads point to habitual offenders who frequent high-traffic events in Mumbai's commercial hubs, where the combination of celebrity allure and logistical chaos provides fertile ground for such crimes. No arrests have been made as of November 1, but police have increased patrols in BKC following complaints, and event organisers have pledged enhanced bag checks and awareness campaigns for the tour's subsequent stops in Bengaluru and Delhi. This episode echoes similar incidents at past mega-concerts in India, like the 2023 Coldplay shows, where over 50 phones vanished, highlighting the need for bolstered private security collaborations amid the booming live entertainment sector valued at over Rs 5,000 crore annually.
As Mumbai's nightlife pulses with global stars, the Iglesias concert underscores a delicate balance between unbridled joy and prudent safeguards in a city of 20 million. Fans who lost devices shared mixed sentiments online—frustration over irreplaceable photos and data clashing with gratitude for the performer's enduring appeal that bridged generations. With the tour poised to generate buzz across the subcontinent, authorities and promoters alike are under scrutiny to prevent repeats, ensuring that future spectacles prioritise safety without dimming the spotlight. Iglesias, oblivious to the offstage drama during his set, left the stage to fireworks and cheers, but the thefts serve as a cautionary footnote to India's vibrant concert renaissance.