10 Reasons Why Mumbai is the City of Your Bollywood Dreams
If there was ever a heart of Bollywood, it has to be Mumbai. The commercial capital of India also happens to be the glamour and film capital. From being a home to all the whoâs who of Bollywood, to housing some of the best studios in the country, Mumbai is, in fact, a paradise for those who dream movies, actors, and anything related to Bollywood. Here are the 10 reasons which make Mumbai a city of Bollywood dreams:
1. Home To All The Big Names
Mumbai is home to all the biggies of Bollywood, be it actors, directors, or producers. Right from the stalwart Dilip Kumar, the Bachchans, the Khans, and the Kapoors, to the Johar's, the Chopras, and the Bhatts, the city has enough stars of its own to give the bright night sky a complex. While most of these celebs stay in the western suburb of Bandra, many of them reside along the Mumbai coastline at Malabar Hills, Worli, Juhu, and Versova.
You can have a complete tour, viewing the homes of all your favorite stars, and if youâre lucky enough, maybe you can even see them!
2. Has The Best Studios In The Country
Studios are the place where all the on-screen magic comes to life, and are truly the brain and blood of every movie. And Mumbai, being the center of attraction, houses some of the oldest and most sophisticated film studios not only in India but in the whole of Asia. The iconic RK Film Studio (Chembur), Film City (Goregaon), Mehboob Studio (Bandra), Filmistan (Goregaon), and Yash Raj Studios (Andheri), are among the top destinations for a âHoly Pilgrimageâ of Bollywood lovers.
It is here where some of the daddy hits like Deewar, DDLJ, Mother India, Mera Naam Joker, Zanjeer, and Mughal e Azam, were created. So when you opt for the Bollywood studio tour, itâs like you volunteered to live your dream, what youâve always seen on the big screen.
3. Has A Different Story At Every Inch
The erstwhile Bombay, the Hindi Bambai, and the modern Mumbai, all have one thing in common, millions of stories. The city itself has inspired the surfeit of Bollywood movies, right from Big Bâs Don, Vinod Khannaâs Dayawan, and Ajay Devgn's Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. Mumbai is also known as The City of Dreams, and thatâs for a reason, as the city has been an integral part of uncountable rags to riches stories, for people of both, dark and white backgrounds.
Just roam around the city, and you will be blown away by the number of stories you will find wherever you go. From the business-centric Dalal Street to the heavily crowded Bhendi Bazar, to the electric buzz of Bandra, spending time around the city will make you realize how the most impressionable characters like Ganesh Gaitonde (Sacred Games), or Circuit (Munna Bhaj MBBS) were created.
 4. Rich In Cultural Diversity
Mumbai is arguably the worldâs biggest metropolitan city, with people coming from various cultural and religious backgrounds and ethnicity, all living in absolute harmony. This humongous diversity has inspired several directors like Anurag Kashyap and Ram Gopal Verma, to make movies that have gone on to be cult classics, like Satya, and Sarkar. If you yearn to make films, or write a memorable character and are looking for inspiration, Mumbai will never fail you. The city lives a dual life.
One is that of the Colaba, Pedder Road, and Kempâs Corner elite, and second that of the Dharavi and Sangam Nagar slums, which is a sad reality, but gold for a filmmaker.
5. It Is Fast, And Awake All Night
The city ânever sleepsâ, but also doesnât stop. It is fast, like its claimed lifeline, the local trains, and keeps you on the edge. It is a city full of hustlers, and therefore, the one which works round the clock. For those who dream Bollywood, it might be a known fact how much important is nightlife, especially for filmmakers. So make sure that your Bollywood tour packages have a few hours dedicated to understand the nightlife of Mumbai.
6. Has Everything You Want
Mumbai has the best markets in India, for almost everything. The famous markets like Chor Bazar (where nothing is a stolen item), Kalbadevi, Bhuleshwar, Manish Market, Colaba Causeway, etc., you will find cheap, good quality and rare things or whatever else youâre looking for, including Bollywood, inspired collections. Artifacts depicting movies, and clothing inspired by actors is a common sight, especially in South and West Mumbai.
And if youâre on a tight budget, you can strike incredible deals, saving a fortune on them when compared to other places. Also, the second-hand book market in Fort is heaven for writers and readers alike.
7. Iconic Bollywood Locations All-Around
A large number of Bollywood movies have been shot in Mumbai, which has made many locations iconic. For instance, the Britannia CafĂ© in Matunga, now known as the Kooler CafĂ©, has been the setting for various movies and ad films, including the cult classics like Vastav. Similarly, the South Mumbai coastline, from Girgaun Chowpaty to Nariman Point, also known as the Queenâs Necklace, has been filmed numerous times.
Remember Munna and Circuit discussing stuff near the seashore? It is at Nariman Point. Likewise, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Gateway of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, and Dongri are among the most depicted locations in Bollywood movies.
Being such a powerful and potent hub, Mumbai is the major attraction for artists like musicians, actors, writers, poets, comedians, and many more. This has kept the tradition of live performances alive in the city, with newer genres like stand-up comedy, and underground hip hop gaining significant traction in the last few years.
On your visit to Mumbai, you can witness live performances of future singers in clubs, or future best actors in theatres. Theatres play in Mumbai has given the industry giant actors like Nana Patekar, Nasiruddin Shah, Prithviraj Kapoor, Dr. Shriram Lagoo, and many more.
9. Large Movie Population
Mumbaikars have always been avid movie lovers, and have been great fans for decades. When you land in a place, which breathes Bollywood, you know youâre in for some fascinating conversations. From Mughal e Azam to Sholay, Mother India to Shri 420, Baazigar to Devdas, and Zanjeer to Sarkar, an average Mumbaikar has seen it all, and more often than not, can talk about any of those for hours. Now if youâre a Bollywood lover, you cannot ask for more!
10. Contrast Of Traditional Charm & Modern Sophistication
Bollywood movies are being shot in Mumbai for about a century now, and in all these years the city has gone through significant changes. The old seven islands now boast jaw-dropping skyscrapers, mammoth commercial centers, and tech-loaded IT parks. However, a large part of the city remains unchanged since pre-independence and a few years after independence. This modern sophistication and retro charm, especially of South Mumbai, continue to be captured in Bollywood movies, which give the tourist a chance to visit real locations.
For instance, the bungalow where the recent movie Sanam Teri Kasam was shot, is located in Dadar Parsee Colony and was built more than half a century ago. This contrast of ages is a cinematographerâs delight.