Mumbai wanted them too

Red FM is really popular over there. Their morning show host was asked to train Vidya Balan for her role in Lage Raho Munnabhai. On how to stretch goooooodmorningmumbai long enough to exhaust the boom operator. Anyway, Red FM now wanted me to doodle up the goodies for their Mumbai station.

So, I went down to the city for four days. To make notes. I vowed never to take a taxi because you hardly get to feel the city from inside a cab. It pulls you away from all of it. It insulates you from the streets. I was there to learn, to soak in the city, not look out of a window. I stuck to city buses, local trains and my two feet.

I parked my bags at Hanif’s place who briefed me on all the whats and wheres. For the next four days, I’d get out early in the morning and return late in the night.

I felt Jumbo King joints could be renamed McVadapav’s. I stood up for the National Anthem before I sat through Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. I bought a new pair of chappals. I learnt how to get sucked into a local train. I hurried past a shop that sells guns in VT. I spotted lots of umbrellas in Band Stand. I didn’t drink.

And then, I came back to Delhi and faithfully returned the remaining petty cash to my office. Sadly, I’m an honest guy. And I should tell you I almost sprained my knuckles by the end of each sheet.