a city that shapes you.

Have you ever wondered how much of who you are belongs to you, and how much belongs to the city that raised you?

We rarely stop to consider that the city we live in may shape us far more than we think.

I am born and brought up in Mumbai, and whenever someone mentions the city, the first phrase that comes to mind is, “the city that never sleeps.” And honestly, it’s true. Mumbai never sleeps, and just like that, the hustle and bustle of dreamers also never stops.

Mumbai has not only given me a home; it’s everything to me. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart and soul, it will always be Mumbai.

No matter how much I complain about the world-famous traffic, the local trains where you can barely put a foot inside, roads with hundreds of potholes or the fact that there are people everywhere, all the time, I wouldn’t have it any other way. And no matter how many pav dishes our city has, still it will always remain my favourite.

People say that Paris is the most romantic city in the world but have you ever experienced monsoon in Mumbai ?

Have you ever experienced sitting at marine drive and talking about life or just nothing at all and just soaking it all in ?

Have you ever experienced watching DDLJ at Maratha Mandir because its still iconic even after 30 years ?

So, yes its a city that actually makes you feel things.

I remember one night sitting with my best friend at Bandra Carter Road during the monsoon. We spoke about everything under the sun, and suddenly, it started pouring. I clearly remember it was around 3 a.m. Even in the middle of that heavy rain, people were still out chatting, laughing, and simply living, and so were we. Eventually, we ran to catch a rickshaw, but honestly, those 2 hours became an experience in itself. It was one of those nights that made me realise why Mumbai will always feel like home.

Sitting on a terrace and watching planes take off and land, while soaking in all the emotions you’re feeling.

The nightlife in Mumbai is a world of its own. One night, you’re out with your girls, and you randomly decide to walk into a club and dance your heart out, and somehow, that ends up becoming one of your favourite nights ever. And that’s exactly what I mean when I say Mumbai is the city that never sleeps there’s always something happening, always a story waiting to unfold.

When nothing feels right in life, you go to Juhu Beach and just sit there. You watch the waves come close to the shore, listen to them crashing against the sand, and let the moment wash over you. And honestly, that kind of peace is genuinely unbeatable.

From street-side food to fine dining, there’s something for everyone in Mumbai. And if there’s one thing I truly believe, it’s that food is always a way to people’s hearts, and this city knows exactly how to do that beautifully.

There is something about going on a late-night drive with your friends on the Coastal Road that makes you forget you’re still in Mumbai. For a few moments, it genuinely feels like you’ve been transported somewhere else. The smooth roads, the city’s skyline lit up against the night sky, the sea quietly accompanying you on one side it’s breathtaking in a way that’s difficult to explain. Add to that the music blasting through the speakers, the windows rolled down, and your friends laughing beside you.

For a brief second, everything feels exactly as it should.

Have you ever experienced Ganpati Visarjan and cherry on top, when it rains and you danced through the beats of dhols, in a way where you completely forget who’s watching?

Have you ever decorated your house with diyas and rangoli everywhere, and got new outfits just so you can celebrate where everything feels just a little more lit up and a little more beautiful?

Have you ever dressed up in chaniya cholis for Navratri and danced your heart out with your friends, even though half your garba moves made absolutely no sense and your legs were sore as shit the next day?

First time peak experience of playing holi, was full on Bollywood style, white clothes and your friend drag you out of your place, make you unrecognisable and then you end up having the time of your life? Well, this is said by a person who played holi for the first time in 21 years, so you can trust me on this.

People always romanticise going for hot chocolate during winters, eating hot pipping food but is there a crowd like me who would end up having K Rustom ice cream during winters on marine drive? also I heard somewhere that cold cuts cold so…in my defence it made sense.

And I think whoever and whatever experiences people had, somewhere they all can connect through this.

Enough experiences that can turn this into a novel but for now, this is what Mumbai’s weather making me feel.

Would I have been the same person if I had grown up somewhere else? I don’t know. But one thing I do know is that this city has given me both peace and chaos, often at the same time. It has seen every version of mine and honestly I can’t imagine my story without it.