40 Mumbai-centric Bollywood Movies that Embrace the Authenticity of the City

“Mumbai, the home of Bollywood, has been the backdrop for numerous Hindi films throughout the years. It comes as no surprise that these movies have depicted the city in various ways, whether it’s showcasing the underworld and mafia or capturing the essence of life in the bustling metropolis.

Here, we have compiled a list of 38 Mumbai-based movies that span several decades, each offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant life and iconic locations. This collection is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia, as we provide you with details such as release dates, posters, directors, cast members, and brief descriptions that might entice you to revisit these cinematic gems.

It is possible there are more such movies like this but below descending list is to best of my knowledge since 1981..”

See Also: Bollywood and Television Celebrity Home Address in Mumbai

The Lunchbox

Released Year : 2013
Director : Ritesh Batra
Cast : Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Nirmat Kaur and Irfan Khan star in a heartwarming film that tells the story of a housewife and a widower who fall in love through the food she prepares. Set in Mumbai, the movie revolves around the famous Dabbawalas who deliver lunch to offices. The protagonist, a talented cook, prepares delicious meals for her husband, but fate has other plans. Her food ends up in the hands of Irrfan Khan, who appreciates her cooking and expresses his admiration through letters left in the tiffin box. This unique love story is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Miss lovely

Released Year : 2012
Director : Ashim Ahluwalia
Cast : Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Niharika Singh, Menaka Lalwani, Anil George, Zeena Bhatia

This movie is a depiction of the B and C grade films in Mumbai, with a strong emphasis on horror and sexuality. It follows the journey of a younger Duggal brother, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who desires to break free from the world he feels he is trapped in.

Shor In The City

Released Year : 2011
Directors : Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK
Cast : Sendhil Ramamurthy, Preeti Desai, Tusshar Kapoor, Nikhil Dwivedi, Pitobash, Radhika Apte, Sundeep Kishan, Girija Oak, Zakir Hussain, Amit Mistry

The movie centers on a group of five individuals residing in the bustling city. It delves into their aspirations, disappointments, and the strategies they employ to navigate their lives in the vibrant metropolis of Mumbai.

Mumbai Meri Jaan

Released Year : 2010
Director : Nishikanth Kamath
Casts: Soha Ali Khan, R Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, and Irrfan Khan

The movie depicts the aftermath of the train explosion in Mumbai on July 11, 2006, through the lives of five individuals. One of the characters develops a fear of local trains, while another becomes fixated on seeking revenge against the Muslim community, believing that his friend was a victim of their actions.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

Released Year : 2010
Director : Milan Luthria
Casts: Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Kangna Ranaut, Prachi Desai, Gauhar Khan

This film is said to be inspired by the notorious gangsters Haji Mastan and Dawood, who were active in Mumbai during the 1970s. The plot revolves around the criminal and smuggling activities of the underworld.

City of Gold

Released Year : 2010
Director : Mahesh Menjrekar
Casts: Shashank Shende, Seema Biswas, Kashmira Shah, Vinay Apte, Sachin Khedekar, and others.

This movie is based on a play written by Jayant Pawar. It revolves around the struggles of a unemployed mill worker whose life takes a chaotic turn when the mills shut down because of the emergence of modern lifestyle malls in Mumbai city.

Dhobi Ghat

Released Year : 2010
Director : Kiran Rao
Casts: Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra

The movie, alternatively titled Mumbai Diaries, delves into various narratives that revolve around the lives of individuals in Mumbai. It beautifully portrays the emotions of love, yearning, and solitude experienced by its characters.

Striker

Released Year : 2010
Director : Chandan Arora
Casts:  Siddharth, Padmapriya, Aditya Pancholi, Ankur Vikal, Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas, Nicolette Bird

The movie revolves around the popular indoor game Carrom and is currently being filmed in the vibrant neighborhoods of Malwani in Mumbai. It tells the tale of an underprivileged individual who possesses exceptional skills as a Carrom Champion. In a daring move, he decides to challenge Jaleel, a notorious local gangster in the city.

Tum Mile

Released Year : 2009
Director : Kunal Deshmukh
Casts : Emraan Hashmi, Soha Ali Khan

Tum Mile failed to make an impact in Mumbai, much like the devastating floods that occurred in July 2005. The film revolves around the characters’ experiences in both London and Mumbai, intertwining past heartbreaks and their reunion during the Mumbai floods.

Mee Shivaji Bhosale Boltoy

Released Year : 2009
Director : Santosh Manjrekar
Casts : Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Makarand Anaspure, Suchitra Bandekar, Siddarth Jadhav, Priya Bapat, Abhijeet Kelkar

This Marathi movie centers around the experiences of Maharashtrian individuals who have lost their sense of identity in Mumbai. Dinkar, portrayed by ‘Sachin Khedekar’, believes that being a Marathi is a punishable offense to him.

Slumdog Millionaire

Released Year : 2008
Director : Danny Boyle & Loveleen Tandon
Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan

The movie revolves around two youngsters hailing from the impoverished slums of Juhu in Mumbai. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A and centers around the story of a destitute boy who triumphs by winning a significant sum of money in the reality show “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” Notably, the film achieved great acclaim, securing the prestigious Oscar Award along with numerous other accolades.

A Wednesday

Released Year : 2008
Director : Neeraj Pandey
Casts : Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah, Jimmy Shergill, Deepal Shaw, Aamir Bashir

The movie centers around the 2006 Mumbai train bombing and depicts how an ordinary man seeks retribution against the terrorists through clever tactics. It was recognized with the Indira Gandhi Award for the director’s outstanding debut.

Aamir

Released Year : 2008
Director : Rajkumar Gupta
Casts : Rajeev Khandelwal, Gajraj Rao

The movie revolves around an Indian physician who comes back to Mumbai from London. Compelled by circumstances, he becomes involved in acts of terrorism and obediently carries out the instructions of the terrorists to safeguard his family.

Shootout at Lokhandwala

Released Year : 2007
Director : Apporva Lakhia
Casts : Vivek Oberoi, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Amitabh Bachchan, Arbaaz Khan

The movie was filmed in various locations within Andheri Lokhandwala, a suburb of Mumbai. It revolves around the real-life events of the 1991 Lokhandwala Complex Shootouts, which involved clashes between underworld gangsters and the Mumbai Police. The film loosely depicts the persona of Maya Dolas, portrayed by Vivek Oberoi.

Life In A Metro

Released Year : 2007
Director : Anurag Basu
Casts : Dharmendra, Nafisa Ali, Shilpa Shetty, Kay Kay Menon, Shiney Ahuja, Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kangna Ranaut, Sharman Joshi

The movie revolves around the lives of nine individuals residing in Mumbai’s urban areas. It delves into the themes of infidelity, love, isolation, and hopelessness.

Taxi No. 9211

Released Year : 2006
Director: Rohan Sippy
Casts : Nana Patekar, John Abraham, Sameera Reddy, Sonali Kulkarni

This movie is an authentic representation of Mumbai. It revolves around the story of a Taxi Driver portrayed by Nana Patekar and a wealthy Businessman’s Son portrayed by John Abraham. The plot unfolds as these two individuals engage in a thrilling cat-and-mouse pursuit, seeking revenge due to an unforeseen incident that transpired during a minor accident.

It all began when John Abraham boarded the taxi and accidentally dropped the key inside. This key holds great significance as it unlocks a locker containing a crucial will that needs to be presented in court.

D

Released Year : 2005
Director : Vishram Samant
Casts: Randeep Hooda, Chunky Pandey, Rukhsar, Isha Koppikar, Yashpal Sharma, Sushant Singh, Goga Kapoor, Ishrat Ali, Nagesh Bhonsle

The film tells the story of a skilled mechanic from Dubai who rises to power as the most notorious crime boss in Mumbai. The plot draws inspiration from the life of a prominent underworld figure, but is presented as a prequel to a popular movie franchise.

Dombivli Fast

Released Year : 2005
Director : Nishikant Kamat
Casts : Sandeep Kulkarni, Shilpa Tulaskar, Sandesh Jadhav

The plot of this Marathi film revolves around a bank employee from a middle-class background in Mumbai. He is known for his unwavering commitment to justice and often finds himself isolated in his quest to take on corrupt individuals.

Page 3

Released Year : 2005
Director : Madhur Bhandarkar
Casts : Konkona Sen Sharma, Atul Kulkarni, Boman Irani

The film revolves around the glitzy and unattractive universe of Page 3 media in Mumbai, which encompasses the affluent class, Bollywood lifestyle, and everyday behind-the-scenes tales. The story centers on Madhvi Sharma, a journalist portrayed by Konkana Sen Sharma, who delves into the world of socialites and media to uncover the truth.

Black Friday

Released Year : 2004
Director : Anurag Kashyap
Casts :Kay Kay Menon, Pavan Malhotra, Aditya Srivastava, Imtiaz Ali, Pratima Kazmi, Zakir Hussain

The film is a cinematic portrayal of the infamous 1993 Mumbai serial Bomb Blast, drawing inspiration from the real events. The narrative is derived from the renowned crime journalist Hussain Zaidi’s book, which serves as the source material. However, due to restrictions imposed by the Indian Censor Board, the movie was unable to see the light of day in India until two years later.

Saathiya

Released Year : 2002
Director : Shaad Ali
Casts : Rani Mukerji, Vivek Oberoi

The Mumbai Railway is depicted in a realistic manner in this romantic movie, which follows the story of two lovers who leave their homes and get married, only to face the harsh realities of living in a city like Mumbai.

Company

Released Year : 2002
Director : Ram Gopal Verma
Casts : Mohanlal, Ajay Devgan, Manisha Koirala, Vivek Oberoi, Seema Biswas, Antara Mali

The film draws inspiration from the lives of Mumbai’s underworld figures, Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Rajan. It revolves around their friendship, as well as the misunderstandings that ultimately result in conflict between them.

Chandni Bar

Released Year : 2001
Director : Madhur Bhandarkar
Casts : Tabu, Atul Kulkarni, Rajpal Yadav, Ananya Khare, Vishal Thakkar, Minakshi Sahani

The movie takes place in the Dance Bars of Mumbai, delving into the world of Prostitution and the criminal activities that surround it. The story revolves around Mumtaaz, a bar girl portrayed by actress Tabu, who gets married to a gangster and leaves Chandni Bar. However, tragedy strikes when her husband is killed in a premeditated encounter, forcing Mumtaaz to return to Chandni Bar. This film has been honored with 4 National Awards.

Bombay Boys

Released Year : 1998
Director : Kaizad Gustad
Casts: Naveen Andrews, Rahul Bose, Alexander Gifford, Naseeruddin Shah, Tara Deshpande, Roshan Seth, Tarun Shahani, Luke Kenny, Vinay Pathak, Kushal Punjabi, Nagesh Bhosle, and Javed Jaffrey as a Special appearance role in the item song “MUMBAI”

The film revolves around the bars, markets, and slums of Mumbai, exploring themes of homosexuality and profanity.

Satya

Released Year : 1998
Director : Ram Gopal Verma
Casts: J.D Chakravarthy, Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpai, Govind Namdev, Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Srivastava, Makarand Deshpande, Jeeva, Shefali Shah

Satya stands out as a unique film that delves into the realm of Mumbai’s underworld and gangsters. The narrative centers around a young individual who arrives in Mumbai with hopes of finding employment, only to become entangled with the notorious gangster Bhiku Mahtre. Actor Manoj Bajpai’s portrayal of “Bhiku Mhatre” received widespread acclaim for its exceptional performance.

Rangeela

Released Year : 1995
Director : Ram Gopal Verma
Casts : Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff, Urmila Matondkar

Prompt: Paraphrase the given text.

The plot of the movie centers around two individuals, Munna and Mili, who are struggling to make it big in the Bollywood film industry. Munna, portrayed by Aamir Khan, is a street orphan who earns his living by engaging in illegal activities such as black marketing movie tickets outside theaters. On the other hand, Mili, played by Urmila Matondkar, aspires to become a Bollywood heroine.

Her dreams come true when she meets Raj Kamal, a famous Bollywood hero played by Jackie Shroff. The movie features a love triangle that continues until the end, with plenty of entertainment and masala. The film showcases various locations in Mumbai, including Bandra bandstand and Essel world.

Bombay

Released Year : 1995
Director : Mani Ratnam
Casts : Arvind Swamy, Manisha Koirala

The movie revolves around the 1992 Hindu-Muslim Riots that took place in Ayodhya during the demolition of Babri Masjid. The story follows a young couple who belong to different religions and decide to get married against their families’ wishes. They move to Mumbai and start a happy life with their two children. However, their world turns upside down when their children go missing during the Mumbai riots.

Dharavi

Released Year : 1991
Director : Sudhir Mishra
Casts : Shabana Azmi, Om Puri

Set in the sprawling slums of Mumbai known as Dharavi, this film revolves around the aspirations of a taxi driver, portrayed by Om Puri, who yearns to escape the clutches of poverty. His imagination takes flight as he daydreams about a passionate romance with a renowned film actress. However, his lofty ambitions inadvertently entangle him in a perilous web of local thugs and corrupt politicians.

Agnipath

Released Year : 1990
Director : Mukul Anand
Casts : Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, Madhavi, Neelam Kothari, Danny Denzongpa, Rohini Hattangadi, Alok Nath.

The plot of the film “Agneepath” revolves around a boy named Vijay Dinanath Chauhan who seeks revenge against Kancha Cheena, the villain responsible for his father’s death. The movie was remade in 2012 by Karan Johar, featuring Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles.

Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro

Released Year : 1989
Director : Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Casts : Pavan Malhotra, Makrand Deshpande, Ashutosh Gowariker

The film revolves around the era of the Hindutva Movement, depicting the life of a Muslim family residing in Mumbai. Salim Pasha, a notorious local thug, finds himself entangled in the realm of criminal activities within his community.

Parinda

Released Year : 1989
Director : Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Casts: Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher

The film revolves around the lives of two siblings, Kishen and Karan, portrayed by Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor respectively, who have spent their childhood on the streets of Mumbai. Kishen becomes associated with the underworld through Anna, played by Nana Patekar, but he desires a better life for his brother Karan. Madhuri Dixit, who plays Karan’s love interest, also has a significant role in the movie.

Salaam Bombay

Released Year : 1988
Director : Mira Nair
Casts : Shafiq Syed, Tara lasrado, Hansa Vithal, Chanda Sharma, Anita Kanwar, Nana Patekar, Raghuvir Yadav

The story of this film revolves around the struggles of street kids in Mumbai. It has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Award and a place among the 1000 greatest films by the New York Times.

Dayavan : Truth Of Power

Released Year : 1988.
Director : Feroz Khan.
Casts: Vinod Khanna, Madhuri Dixit, Feroz Khan, Aditya Pancholi.

The movie draws inspiration from the life of Underworld Don Varadarajan Mudaliar, but takes a loose approach in its adaptation. It revolves around the lives of two friends, Shakti Velu portrayed by Vinod Khanna and Shanker portrayed by Feroz Khan.

Shakti harbors a deep resentment towards the Indian police force and publicly murders Inspector Ratan Singh, played by Amrish Puri, which propels him into the world of crime as a Don. However, amidst his criminal activities, Shakti also exhibits a compassionate side as he uses his influence to assist those in need. The film beautifully captures the essence of friendship and showcases the emotional bond between the two friends.

Ankush

Released Year : 1986
Director : N Chandra.
Casts : Nana Patekar, Nisha Singh, Raja Bundela, Arjun Chakraborty.

Version 1: The film revolves around four destitute individuals who constantly complain about the system without taking any action to improve their lives. However, their perspective takes a turn when a new resident in their neighborhood encourages them to seek employment.

Mashaal

Released Year : 1984
Director : Yash Chopra
Casts: Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Anil Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, Gulshan Grover, Saeed Jaffrey, Alok Nath, Amrish Puri

Dilip Kumar portrays the character of Vinod Kumar, an upright individual who operates a newspaper agency called ‘Mashaal’ in the movie. The plot revolves around Vinod’s confrontation with S K Vardhan, portrayed by Amrish Puri, who is involved in the drug trade. In order to defeat the forces of evil, Vinod Kumar decides to venture into this illicit business himself. Anil Kapoor plays the role of Raja, who is devastated upon discovering that his mentor is associated with the criminal underworld.

Katha

Released Year : 1983
Director : Sai Paramjape
Casts : Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Deepti Naval

The film narrates a traditional story of a hare and a tortoise. It delves into the chawl culture in Mumbai and explores their unique way of life. The protagonist, portrayed by Naseeruddin Shah, is a clerk residing in a chawl in Churchgate. He develops feelings for his neighbor, portrayed by Deepti Naval, and together they aspire to tie the knot in the future. However, their lives take an unexpected turn when their mutual friend, played by Farooque Shaikh, also falls in love with the same girl.

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

Released Year : 1983
Director : Kundan Shah
Casts: Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Bhakti Barve, Satish Kaushik, Ashok Banthia, Neena Gupta

The movie follows the journey of two friends who are striving to make it big as professional photographers in Mumbai. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they are assigned to keep a watch on a builder and the municipal commissioner. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a murder mystery that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The film is a perfect blend of suspense and humor, with hilarious stage shows and dead bodies adding to the excitement.

Chhoti Si Baat

Released Year : 1975
Director : Basu Chatterjee
Casts: Amol Palekar as Arun Pradeep, Ashok Kumar as Col. Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh, Vidya Sinha as Prabha Narayan, Asrani as Nagesh Shastri, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Dharmendra as Guest, Rajendra Nath as Maunibaba, Noni Ganguly as Rajan Haksar, Ashim Kumar, Devendra Khandelwal, Nandita Thakur as Deepa, Komilla Wirk as Col. Singh’s assistant, Amol Sen, R.S. Chopra, C.S. Dubey as Gurnaam, Monty Sharma, Monty Nath as Monty, Vishnu Sharma, Zarina Wahab, Sujit Kumar as Janeman Janeman, Manmohan as villain.

Chhoti Si Baat, directed by Basu Chatterjee, is a romantic comedy film in Hindi that was released in 1976. The movie features Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha, Ashok Kumar, and Asrani in the lead roles. The story revolves around a timid young man named Arun Pradeep, portrayed by Amol Palekar, who lacks confidence and fails to assert himself, allowing others to take advantage of him.

One day, Arun encounters Prabha Narayan, played by Vidya Sinha, at the bus stop on their way to work and instantly falls in love with her. However, he is hesitant to express his feelings and remains unsure if they are mutual. He silently admires her from a distance, unaware that Prabha is aware of his affection and secretly enjoys his discomfort, eagerly waiting for him to take the initiative.

Just when Arun is stuck in his dilemma, Nagesh Shastri, portrayed by Asrani, enters the scene as Prabha’s confident and bold colleague, becoming a serious contender for her attention. The film is widely regarded as one of the finest Hindi comedy films of the 1970s and is cherished for its unique portrayal of Bombay before it became heavily congested. It achieved great success at the box office and received six Filmfare nominations, including a Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for Basu Chatterjee.

Baton Baton Mein

Released Year : 1979
Director : Basu Chatterjee
Casts : Tina Ambani as Nancy Perreira, Amol Palekar as Tony Braganza, Pearl Padamsee as Rosie Perreira, David Abraham Cheulkar as Uncle Tom, Ranjit Chowdhry as Sabhi Perreira, Leela Mishra as Philomena Aunty, Shobhini Singh as Maria, Arvind Deshpande as Mr. Braganza, Asrani as Francis Fernandes, Tun Tun as Imaginary Nancy’s mom, Piloo J. Wadia as Mrs. Braganza, Uday Chandra as Henry, and Prema Narayan, Deb Mukherjee, and Mazhar Khan.

Baton Baton Mein, directed by Basu Chatterjee in 1979, is an Indian romantic comedy film. The lead roles are portrayed by Amol Palekar and Tina Munim, while David, Pearl Padamsee, Asrani, and Ranjit Choudhary appear in supporting roles. Rajesh Roshan composes the film’s music, with lyrics by Yogesh and Amit Khanna.

The story revolves around a middle-class Christian family residing in Mumbai. Rosie Perreira (played by Pearl Padamsee) is a worried widow who lives with her son Sabby, who is obsessed with playing the violin, and her daughter Nancy (played by Tina Munim). Rosie desires Nancy to marry a wealthy young man, but Nancy falls in love with Tony Braganza (played by Amol Palekar), whom she meets on her train commute. Tony is hesitant to commit to marriage, leading to a strain in his relationship with Nancy. The film delves into the complexities that arise from their cultural differences and the disapproval of their families. Baton Baton Mein received positive feedback from both audiences and critics, and it is regarded as a Hindi cinema classic.

Chakra

Released Year : 1981
Director : Rabindra Dhammaraj
Casts : Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

Smita Patil portrays the character of Amma in the movie, which revolves around her and her son’s challenging life in the city slums. Despite their difficult circumstances, Amma manages to maintain a semblance of a normal life by having two lovers to support her livelihood.

See Also : Old Movie Theaters, Videos Of Movie Shot in City.

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