Movies and Shows Set in Mumbai: In a country as big and populated as India, it is hard to find one city that makes your heart beat like no other. Fortunately for us, people have for the longest time associated Mumbai with a city that is less of a metropolis and more of an emotion. It is the city of dreams- a place to build, where life can be anything you want it to be. So it is no shocker that most often the Indian film industry is keen on representing the city through various perspectives.

Over the years, films and shows set against the backdrop of Mumbai have only increased. From the lens of a superstar to that of an ordinary person, individual differences about the city and how one might view it and experience their time living in it have been prioritized. It is only natural that the shows and movies set in Mumbai have such varied themes to reflect on and emotions to contemplate. In case you are looking for the same, we have a quick list to get you started right away on this journey!

List of Movies and Shows Set in Mumbai

Bombay

There is no other movie that can start this list but, the 1995 Mani Ratnam gem named after the city itself. The film has had an ever-lasting impact on moviegoers of various generations and is still one of the most relevant films when it comes to exploring human relationships against the backdrop of the Indian political scenario. The film stars Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala in the leading roles and tells the story of an inter-religious family living in Mumbai prior to and during the Bombay riots of 1992-1993, with the demolition of the Babri Masjid and religious conflicts rising between the Hindu and Muslim communities. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video as well as Hotstar.

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Modern Love Mumbai

The Modern Love franchise is a beautiful anthology series that never disappoints and, it is slowly and steadily spreading its wings in the Indian subcontinent. The Mumbai chapter of this franchise might just be the best one out of the lot that plays with the affectionate as well as the painful side of love and relationships. The series has a talented ensemble cast and crew and consists of six episodes that dedicate themselves to identity, life, culture and more. Watch it now on Amazon Prime Video.

Life in a Metro

An Anurag Basu film that was too ahead of its time and is to date one of the most underrated creations of the director-screenwriter. The film is inspired by the Oscar-winning classic The Apartment and takes up nine lives in Mumbai that change acutely when all of their fates start intertwining with one another. The film embodies love, resilience and life and was a commercial success. With its critical claim, the film is one of the best representations of the city and the people that inhabit it. It features an ensemble cast and is available now on Netflix.

Mumbai Meri Jaan

Along with the glitz and glam of Mumbai, there are some harrowing events that have scarred the city and its people. Mumbai Meri Jaan represents one of them. The film is about the aftermath of the July 2006 Mumbai train bombings where a lot of people lost their lives and even more were injured to death. The award-winning film is directed by Nishikant Kamat and produced by Ronnie Screwvala with R. Madhavan, Irrfan Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon in the cast.

Citylights

This 2014 Hansal Mehta-Rajkummar Rao collaboration was a canon event in the lives of the director, the lead actor and what Mumbai means to people- the ones who dream and drive themselves to this city. Serving as the remake of the 2013 film Metro Manila, the film showed us the story of a poor farmer’s struggle in the big metropolis where he has come in search of livelihood. The hardships of a city as big as Mumbai and the strength that rests within the hearts of human beings, all come to light in this film. Watch it now on Amazon Prime Video.

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Wake Up Sid

Giving us a contemporary Mumbai from the lens of a coming-of-age drama, Ayan Mukerji’s Wake Up Sid is a fine example of being young, reckless and still having to come face to face with a city as bittersweet as Mumbai. Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma are the leads in this film which revolves around a rich college brat learning the meaning of responsibility and accountability from an aspiring writer from Kolkata. You can stream the film now on Netflix.

Dhobi Ghat

Kiran Rao’s 2010 film names itself after Mumbai’s biggest outdoor laundry and gives us a unique and underrated look at the city. Internationally released as Mumbai Diaries, the film is about four people in Mumbai who come from different walks of life and still find themselves coming together and getting separated by fate. The cast features Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra and Kriti Malhotra. Watch the film on Netflix.

The Attacks of 26/11

A Ram Gopal Varma directorial that does not shy away from the haunting terrorism that changed Mumbai forever. Based on the book Kasab: The Face of 26/11 by Rommel Rodrigues, the film is about Ajmal Kasab, the perpetrator of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. It features Nana Patekar in the lead role and is a film of critical reputation. You can stream it now for free on Jio Cinema.

Bombay Talkies

A four-story anthology film that brings together Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap celebrates Mumbai as a city and the 100th year of Indian cinema. The film marks the beginning of the era of modern cinema and is a cult classic.

Which is your favourite movie or show that is set in Mumbai? Let us know in the comments down below!

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