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Watch: Russell Brand's visit to Dharavi introduces him to a 'higher code of living'

"Is this weird?" he asks himself.

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British comedian Russell Brand was in Mumbai for his first stand up performance in the city. During his time in the city, Brand visited Dharavi, Asia's best known slum, and often a white tourist's pit stop for experiencing 'real India'. 

Brand, who performed in India for the first time at the 2015 edition of the Comedy Central Chuckle Festival, is best known for his satire, whimsy and observational jokes.

Calling himself the White Jesus Space Christ, talks about having his phone stolen by one child and being returned by another, with no expectation of reward.

As he narrates his experience of visiting the slum, Brand is aware of how he comes across. A white guy buying kids in the slum chocolates. "Is this weird?" he asks himself. 

While talking about his experience, Brand walks the tightrope trying not to exoticise poverty in India or fall into the white savour complex. One can't say he succeeds completely, but the effort is apparent.

"That's the culture we live in. But why should it be that you can have the chocolates but I decide who gets the iPhone?" Brand wonders.

Brand does go into hyperbole every so often but makes some keen observations that are a nice change from the usual accounts of such interactions.

Watch the video and tell us what you think in the comments:

 

I had an amazing incident in the slums in India

Posted by Russell Brand on Monday, June 29, 2015

 

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