But then, opinions differ. So why is it that I love Mumbai so much? Well...
Because every day brings with it insanity anew. And it’s defined by love-hate relationships that sound like the lyrics of a Bon Jovi (who, by the way, will probably do a show here fifteen years from now) song. For me, this city’s all about the love-hate relationships. We love our cops (‘They were so good during the attacks dude!’) we hate our cops (‘Breathalyser-rigging bastards’). We love our transporters (‘The other day, it was raining and flooded and this cabbie sweetly dropped me home’), we hate our transporters (‘I WILL SHOOT THE NEXT CABBIE WHO SAYS NO BECAUSE IT’S A SHORT DISTANCE IN THE FACE!!’). Why don’t we take just one, principled stand? Because we’re too damned busy to, that’s why. The culture of relaxed success. We work hard, we play harder. But we do it with a sense of ease and authenticity that only evolves as you’re comfortable in your skin without an insecure need to claim your identity. Not everyone is there as individuals, but we seem to have it collectively as a culture. Mostly, I love the extremities of Bombay. To me, it’s the most extreme city in the world. It’s where you have a marriage hall located next to a crematorium; super deluxe five-star hotel buildings rising amongst slum clusters; a Lamborghini sharing the same road as bullock carts; and street food vendors right outside fine-dine establishments. There is an organised chaos and a mad energy to Bombay. I also particularly like how the old exists with the new—Victorian architecture, Art Deco buildings, 200-year old villages tucked away in Bandra—what’s not to love.
The meritocracy. The mania. The home-delivered alcohol. The hours. The fact that we call it Bombay, come what may. The delusion. The complete lack of perspective. The palpable fanaticism about film. The seaface. The honest auto-rickshawwallahs. The dives. The impossibility. The DVD bootleggers. The fanboys. The fact that nobody really cares unless you beseech them to. The self-love. The brick-red powder that accompanies vada pao. The fact that the city moves as if cut to a soundtrack. WTF, Versova. The freaks. The frankies. The dreamers. The old and gorgeous South Bombay buildings. The new friends. The fact that the city sinks fangs into you and tries to make you its own. The sleeplessness. But, if I were to pick one: the Bombay girl. Epic. ( you should really know what I mean by using the word 'The Bombay Girl' ).
It is my home. The city has changed, literally from Bombay to Mumbai and in persona as well.
And who wouldn't recognise Mumbai as the home of legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Their homes have become tourist attractions. Especially Shah Rukh Khan's home, the mighty 'Mannat Lands End'. People come all the way from Calcutta just to get a glimpse of this superstar. People stand outside his doors for hours hoping he'd come and greet them. And sometimes, he really does. Believe me, people from Kolkata just love SRK. They worship him. Kolkata, that's where his most loyal fandom lies, I guess.
Apart from that, Mumbai has a lot to yet offer but there are a few a compelling reasons that make it my favorite city in the country. I love its instinctive irony, the quality of its unique juxtaposition of old and new, its ‘Bring it on!’ attitude and its laid-back calm, and its ability to combine a sense of professionalism with an intense passion for play! I love the old city, especially the areas of Colaba and Kala Ghoda, and the new but inspiring underground music scene. I love the fact that musicians can make a living here and I love the fact we could set up Blue Frog here and I love Mumbai for making it a success. And looking forward, I love the possibility of what Mumbai can, should and will be!