An NPR writer shares a scenic train journey from Mumbai to Goa on the Jan Shatabdi Express, highlighting the stunning views from the Vistadome coach and expressing a renewed love for India amidst the bustling city life.
Mumbai's new Navi Mumbai International Airport, after nearly 20 years of development, aims to alleviate congestion at the city's main airport, with plans for future expansion to handle up to 90 million passengers annually by 2032. While it features modern design and increased capacity, its success depends on improving ground connectivity, including transport links to the city.
In Mumbai, India, drivers are increasingly using louder horns to navigate the chaotic traffic, contributing to severe noise pollution that exceeds WHO guidelines and poses health risks, with little enforcement of regulations to curb the honking culture.
Heavy monsoon rains in Mumbai have caused severe flooding, disrupting transportation, causing casualties, and exposing infrastructure weaknesses, with authorities and citizens criticizing the lack of preparedness amid ongoing heavy rainfall and climate challenges.
"All We Imagine as Light" is a new drama by Payal Kapadia that explores the lives of two nurses, Prabha and Anu, in Mumbai. The film delves into themes of cultural identity, gender inequality, and the challenges of urban life, while highlighting the powerful bond of friendship as a form of resistance. As the women navigate personal and societal obstacles, their solidarity becomes a source of strength and support, culminating in a poignant exploration of what home and belonging truly mean.
Payal Kapadia's film "All We Imagine As Light" offers a poetic and intimate portrayal of Mumbai, focusing on the lives of three women working in a hospital. The film, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, explores themes of loneliness, forbidden love, and displacement, set against the backdrop of a city depicted as both dreamlike and illusory. As the protagonists leave Mumbai for a coastal town, the narrative shifts towards magical realism, highlighting the tension between reality and fantasy.
The extravagant wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Asia's richest man, highlighted stark contrasts in Mumbai, where lavish celebrations disrupted traffic and showcased India's affluence, while nearby neighborhoods suffered from monsoon flooding due to poor infrastructure. Residents expressed frustration over the government's prioritization of elite events over essential public services, reflecting broader issues of economic disparity and underinvestment in infrastructure.
Kim and Khloé Kardashian attended Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding in Mumbai, wearing traditional lehengas adorned with jewels and accessories by Lorraine Schwartz. The sisters also participated in pre-wedding festivities and are filming their experiences for their Hulu docuseries, The Kardashians.
Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia's debut narrative feature "All We Imagine as Light" premiered in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving an eight-minute standing ovation. The film, which explores the lives of two nurses from Kerala navigating careers and love in Mumbai, marks the first Indian film in 30 years to compete at Cannes. It has garnered high praise from critics, with The Guardian and IndieWire lauding its humanity and romantic portrayal of Mumbai. Kapadia's work highlights the struggles and resilience of Mumbai's immigrant population.
Two members of the Bishnoi gang were arrested for firing at Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Mumbai home, in apparent retaliation for his killing of two blackbucks in 1998. The gang, known for murders and extortion, considers the blackbucks to be the reincarnation of their guru. Khan, who has been threatened by the gang's leader in the past, was at home when the gunshots were fired. The two men, aged 24 and 21, were arrested in Gujarat, and Khan has been the target of the gang's pursuit for 20 years due to the blackbuck shooting.
Dev Patel stars in "Monkey Man," a wild and ultraviolent Mumbai revenge flick that doubles as a satire of nationalism. Patel's character seeks vengeance against a corrupt property developer and police chief, using his martial arts skills and underground fighting to bide his time. The film is described as a mix of John Wick, Only God Forgives, and The Lion King, showcasing Patel's evolution as an actor into a kickass action star in this impressive writing-directing debut.
Mumbai has surpassed Beijing to become the city with the most billionaires in Asia, with 92 billionaires, according to Hurun Research Institute's global rich list. The top three cities with the most billionaires are New York, London, and Mumbai. China still leads the world in the number of billionaires, but the U.S. added 109 billionaires in 2023. India's economy is rapidly growing, with 84 new additions to its ultra-rich list, and its stock market has overtaken Hong Kong's to become the seventh largest in the world. Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries remains the wealthiest person in Asia, while Gautam Adani briefly overtook him in January.
British singer Ed Sheeran delighted Mumbai concertgoers by performing a Punjabi duet with Indian star Diljit Dosanjh, sparking excitement on social media. Dosanjh, a prominent Punjabi artist, has been instrumental in popularizing Punjabi music globally, and his surprise appearance at the concert drew massive cheers from the crowd. Sheeran, currently on a global tour, expressed his gratitude to fans for braving heavy traffic to attend the event and promised to return to India in the future.
Krystyna Pyszkova from the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World 2024 in a glamorous event in Mumbai, India, besting 115 contestants and succeeding Poland's Karolina Bielawska. The competition included various categories such as social work, Top Model, multimedia, debate, and sport, with participants grouped by continents. The event also featured standout performances from contestants like Sini Shetty from India.
Newlyweds Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani made their first public appearance in Mumbai after their wedding, distributing sweets to paparazzi and receiving well-wishes. The couple had married in Goa in two ceremonies and shared a dreamy wedding video showcasing their pre-wedding festivities. Rakul Preet sported a flowy yellow anarkali for the occasion, while Jackky wore a peach kurta pyjama.