From 'CityLights' to 'The Lunchbox': Bollywood films where Mumbai is a central character

Presenting hardships and pains bravely with a touch of emotions, the movie 'CityLights' directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa, is a heart-touching and heart-wrenching take on the life in a big city, and particularly in Mumbai. The story accounts for the sufferings and hardships that a small-town family has to bear when they decide to try their luck in the brutal metropolis. The movie uncovers not only the discord between the city's love-hate relationship and the characters’ grim reality but also the transformation of the characters living there as the only alternative.

Directed by Kiran Rao, this film offers a unique perspective on Mumbai through the lives of four characters from different backgrounds: a painter in a home-studio, a washerman or 'dhobi' who gets involved in a video shoot. A woman from a conservative family, aspiring to be a photographer, and a financial analyst having an affair. The film moves with these characters through the city, thereby opening only a few doors to show the familiar and the unfamiliar at the same time. The movie, while focusing on the practicalities of the lives of the residents of Mumbai, also gives an insight into the social and economic environment, the prevalent dreams, and the harsh realities.

It is a crime period drama film directed by Milan Luthria, and the film talks about the major negative changes of the underworld in the 1970s Mumbai, which was influenced by the mafia. The movie gives a very dramatic presentation of the period in question. The film is based on true events and gangsters, and it mainly shows how the underworld took over and there was a conflict between the two gangsters, Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn) and Shoaib Khan (Emraan Hashmi). This film, by way of the characters and the story, has managed to show the ugly side of the town and the criminal element that always had a strong hand in the development of Mumbai throughout history.

'Shootout at Lokhandwala' by Apoorva Lakhia is a 2007 crime thriller movie that centers on the 1991 real-life gun fight between the Mumbai Police and a Mumbai gang headed by Maya Dolas and Dilip Buwa. With an elite cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Sanjay Dutt, Suneil Shetty and more this movie is a gripping and violence-packed representation of Mumbai's illegal world of the late 20th century. It is all about the battle between cops and robbers and terrorists using the city as their playground and the massive difficulties and different police faces in trying to keep the peace.

This movie is considered a masterpiece by the critics. It is an uncommon romantic drama that could only happen in Mumbai. The movie is a tale of the two main characters, played superbly by Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, who fall for each other in a rather sweet mix-up in the lunchbox delivery service of the city. While taking place in the city's remarkable dabbawala system, the film displays the city's attractions, the stresses of urban life, and the spontaneous meeting of people that take place in such a busy city. The movie is not only a love story but also a love letter to the city of Mumbai and its people.

'Wake Up Sid's' tale begins with the city's intimately real relationship with Marine Drive and Mumbai's downpours as the love story of Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) and Aisha (Konkona Sen) begins. Additionally, the viewers are treated to a brief look at Aisha's humble yet endearing abode, the moment Sid collided with Aisha and their chat while they tread across the streets of South Mumbai. The depiction of the city through Aisha's eyes is a pivotal part of the movie's closure that is particularly impressive when she wraps up her column, "New Girl in the City".

Directed by Anurag Basu, this film is a depiction of the vibrant and modern-day life in Mumbai. It has a variety of characters and multiple subplots that displays the life of common people of Mumbai. The film shows the everyday fights, hopes, and intricacies that the residents have to deal with to lead a happy life. Among other things, from the packed local trains to the nightlife and the work-life balance, 'Life in a... Metro' presents a complete picture of life in this vibrant city.