Latest News

From Kebabs to Karaoke: The Offbeat Guide to Bollywood in Mumbai
Monday, March 25, 2019 IST
From Kebabs to Karaoke: The Offbeat Guide to Bollywood in Mumbai

For hardcore Bollywood fans or just travellers looking to explore a fun side of the city.

 
 

There are many memorable pairings in Indian cinema—Raj Kapoor and Nargis, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, and Mumbai and Bollywood. The city is home to the Hindi film industry: iconic film scenes have been filmed on its seaside promenades, and superstars have made their homes in its upscale neighbourhoods. It isn’t unusual to see shootings take place across the city even today, or to spot a star on a morning run. Our list of experiences will help travellers—whether they’re hardcore Bollywood fans or just folks looking to explore a fun side of the city—navigate Mumbai through the movies.
 
Sing Your Heart Out at Bollywood Karaoke Nights
 
No matter how much you roll your eyes at Himesh Reshammiya’s nasal voice,or cringe every time a Honey Singh tune plays on the radio, there’s no denying that Hindi film songs have a special place in the hearts of many. Whether it’s “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai”, “Pehla Nasha” or the latest Badshah rap, singing along to a Bollywood song has immense cathartic appeal. Bars and clubs across the city host Bollywood karaoke nights. Try The Local in Fort on Tuesdays.  The bar has lively sing-along sessions, good bar snacks (get the peri peri fries) and enthusiastic singers that make for a great night out. Make sure to get there early so you don’t have to wait too long to belt out a song.
 
The Local, 111 A, Currimjee Building, Opposite Mumbai University, Mahatma Gandhi Road;  9930244326. Entry requires a password, so call ahead before visiting. Bollywood karaoke on Tuesday, 6.30 p.m.-1a.m.
 
Dig in to Chicken Sanju Baba
 
Noor Mohammadi is an unassuming restaurant that sits on a busy street in Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar neighbourhood. The eatery is known for its nalli nihari (a slow-cooked curry made with marrow),  white biryani and soft shammi kebabs. But the star of its menu is the strangely named Chicken Sanju Baba, in honour of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who created the dish. Dutt frequented Noor Mohammadi for many years and was particularly impressed by his meal during a visit in 2010, so much so that he shared his own recipe for a gravy-based chicken dish with the owners of the restaurant. And Chicken Sanju Baba was born. The recipe includes onions, dry fruits, coconut, curd and Kashmiri chilies. The actor’s fans often visit the restaurant; some vegetarians forego their dietary restrictions for a taste of Chicken Sanju Baba.
 
 
Noor Mohammadi Hotel, 179, Wazir Building, Abdul Hakim Chowk, Bhendi Bazar; 022-23456008; 6 a.m.-1.30 a.m.
 
Catch a Movie at G7
 
In a way, G7 was a precursor to Mumbai’s multiplexes. The complex of seven screens—Gaiety, Galaxy, Gemini, Gossip, Gem, Grace and Glamour—is more popularly known as Gaiety-Galaxy. The theatres are considered to be the ultimate test of a Bollywood movie; actors and directors have been known to slip into a show on opening day just to gauge the audience’s reaction and guess whether their production is a hit or miss. Watching a movie here is an experience. In many theaters audience members hoot, whistle or dance in the aisles; buy balcony or dress circle seats if you prefer to observe the crowd rather than be in the thick of it. If possible, get tickets for the first show on the opening day of a film starring Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan, who draw the biggest crowds.
 
G7 Multiplex, S.V. Road, Bandra; 022-26426963
 
Buy Old-School Bollywood Posters in Chor Bazaar
 
 
Vintage Bollywood posters make great souvenirs and presents, and the best place to find them is Mumbai’s famous Chor Bazaar on Mutton Street. Navigate crowded pavements and browse through towering stacks of posters of various sizes, well-preserved lobby cards, and ticket stubs before making a selection. Hand-painted originals share space with scanned copies of popular films like Mother India, Don and Sholay. The shopkeepers are well-informed and quite helpful, so let them know if you have a specific film in mind. Don’t forget to bargain.
 
Chor Bazaar, Mutton Street, Kumbharwada; 11 a.m-7 p.m.; Closed on Fridays.
 
Watch a Film in a Beautiful Art Deco Theatre
 
Ditch the cookie-cutter multiplexes and watch a movie at Regal Cinema, located at the start of bustling Colaba Causeway. Going to the movies here feels like an event, thanks to the theatre’s neon-lit signboard, the severe-looking faces carved into the façade of the building that look down on moviegoers as they enter, the cavernous cinema hall, the balcony and stall seating, and the heavy velvet curtains that are raised above the screen before a show. It doesn’t hurt that the tickets and popcorn cost a fraction of what they do in multiplexes.
 
Regal Cinema, Old Custom House Road, Apollo Bandar, Colaba; 022-22021017
 

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
Saba Qamar Video Going Braless in White Shirt Leaked After Private Photos Cause Uproar on Social Media!

Troubles mount for Pakistani actress Saba Qamar as a sensational new video from her controversial photo shoot has made its way on the Twitter. A few days ago, Saba ...

Recently posted . 8K views . 6 min read
 

 Article
Hansika Motwani's private pictures get leaked online!

Actress Hansika Motwani is the latest to fall prey to the evil side of the internet as her private swimsuit pictures got leaked online without her consent. The Sout...

Recently posted . 5K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
31 Bollywood Movie Names For Dumb Charades To Win The Game

It’s a lazy spring afternoon. You are at home and relaxing lousily on your couch but overall you are getting bored and searching means to entertain yourself. ...

Recently posted . 5K views . 4 min read
 

 Article
18 Bollywood Pairs Whose Real Height Will Definitely Surprise You

When Karan Johar showed Jaya Bachchan using a stool to help her husband, Amitabh Bachchan, wear his tie in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham , it was a classic case of a tal...

Recently posted . 4K views . 1 min read
 

 
 

More in Entertainment & Fun

 Article
Goodbye Shatabdi, hello world-class Train 18 by June?

  Indian Railways is planning to introduce two trains which promise to bring down travel time and provide world-class facilities to passengers...

Recently posted. 631 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Effects of climate change: If global warming continues, summers in India could last for 8 months by 2070, say researchers

Prolonged heat-wave conditions–in other words, a summer lasting up to eight months–could be the new norm by the 2070s for the Gangetic plains, if greenh...

Recently posted. 712 views . 2 min read
 

 Article
NASA TESS Discovers Super Earth That Could Have Life, And it is 31 Light Years Away

GJ 357 d, a super-Earth, could provide Earth-like conditions and orbits the dwarf star every 55.7 days at a distance about one-fifth of Earth's distance from ...

Recently posted. 614 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Syria chemical attack reports : United Nations chief 'deeply disturbed'

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "profoundly bothered" by reports of a suspected chemical attack on Syria yet is not in a position...

Recently posted. 918 views . 14 min read
 

 Article
What The Shape Of Your Belly Button Says About Your Health

If you have payed attention to the belly buttons of people on the beach or the members of your family, you have probably noticed that they have different shapes and...

Recently posted. 8K views . 2 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Anonymous

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top