Give your trip to the world’s busiest city a sprinkling of Bollywood glitter.

For all you devotees of emotional drama, glitzy costumes, and of course, song and dance, a trip to the Indian DVD store in Pahurat can only go so far in satisfying your craving for “mirch-masala” (spicy) entertainment. So why not fully immerse yourself in all things Bollywood with a stay at the Mecca of Indian film making, Mumbai.

STUDIO LOTS

Unless you happen to have Kapoor or Chopra for a last name and can trace your roots back to the two biggest clans in Bollywood, you will not be able to waltz into a Mumbai film studio for an afternoon outing with the stars. So, in order to win yourself an entry into B-Town, book yourself a Bollywood Tour at www.indiabollywoodtours.com or www.mumbaibombay.com. These pre-packaged full-day trips include everything from sightseeing, food, transportation and yes, even a bi-lingual guide and will cost you roughly B2,500/person.    

      Start your cinematic journey at the much-revered Mehboob Studios (100 Hill Rd., Bandra) named after the pioneering producer and director Mehboob Khan. The man behind the Academy Award-nominated movie Mother India, built this vast studio back in 1954 to meet the growing demand for quality movie making facilities. With its central location in Bandra and the five well-equipped shooting stages plus recording theatres, Mehboob Studios continues to be a popular spot for many filmmakers with the highly anticipated flick My Name is Khan, starring Bollywood’s most sought after duo, Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, the latest to be filmed here.

     Contrasting to Mehboob is the Yash Raj Studios (5, Shah Industrial Estate, Veera Desai Rd.) designed by the American studio designer Martin Pilchner who has also worked with Hollywood big wigs like Steven Spielberg and M. Night Shayamalan. Owned by producer and director Yash Chopra of the big Yash Raj brand, YRF Studios is India’s biggest movie production house today, averaging about 12 films a year. It also regularly hosts Indian cinema’s biggest award functions, like this year’s star-studded Filmfare Awards ceremony.

     Mumbai’s Film City (Goregaon, Mumbai) is where most of the action sequences take place. Located in a secluded outskirt of Mumbai, Film City is equipped with everything from gigantic studios to lakes, gardens and even a helipad. Veteran actor, producer and director V. Shantaram planned the set up and the first feature film to be shot here was Raja Harishchandra by the father of Indian Cinema Dadasaheb Phalke.

ICONIC SCENES

In between all this studio-hopping, stop by Mumbai’s railway station­—Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on D.N. Road. This Victorian Gothic structure, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is a hot spot in many Indian flicks. You saw it last in the Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire’s final credits, where Frieda, Dev and the rest of the perform a choreographed number to the song “Jai Ho.”
 

     Head next to the Mount Mary Church (West Bandra, Mumbai). Built in the 1600s it is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Mount Mary isn’t only the venue for the week-long Bandra fair but has also featured in numerous Indian movies, like the popular Amar Akbar Anthony.

STAR GAZING

Down the hill from the church you’ll find a long stretch of beach and an equally long line of grand homes belonging to big shot celebs like the evergreen Rekha and the handsome hunk Salman Khan. Perhaps the grandest of them all, despite being well hidden behind a high wall, is Mannat, Shahrukh Khan’s home. The five-story condominium with tinted windows behind is another special project devised by King Khan for his fellow film star friends.
 

     Another great way to bump into celebrities around Mumbai is to try celebrity-owned eateries. Tendulkar’s (1/F Narang House, 34 Chatrapati Shivaji Marg, Apollo Bunder, +91-22-2282-9935. www.tendulkarsworld.com), owned by the cricket demi-god Sachin Tendulkar. While Sachin’s name isn’t directly associated with Bollywood, it’s a given that cricketers are celebrities in India and most Bollywood actors are die-hard fans of cricket. Thus, you’ll often find the whose-who of the film fraternity paying afternoon and evening visits for some hi-end modern day Indian cuisine.

Who’s Who  in Bollywood?

SHAHRUKH KHAN
The “King Khan” of Bollywood. Apparently, also the name of his competitor Aamir Khan’s dog. And people say there’s no drama left in show biz.

AMITABH BACHAN
When they say this guy, also known as Big B, is legendary, what they really mean is “god-like.” Head to the South to pay your respects at the temple which houses Bachan’s statue.

YASH CHOPRA
Referred to as Yash Uncle, he’s the man behind the glorified Yash Raj banner. It’s a simple formula: you earn a Yash Raj movie contract, you soar up the movie ranks.

AISHWARIYA RAI
She’s 1. Miss World 1994, 2. a L’Oreal model, 3. is “the” lady of cross-over cinema (Mistress of Spice, Bride and Prejudice) and 4. is the wife of Abhishek Bachan, son of Big B. The cat-eye diva is known as the “international face” of Bollywood.

Essentials

Where to stay

Sun ‘n’ Sand
39, Juhu Tara Rd., Mumbai, +91 22 66938888. www.sunnsandhotel.com.
The simple, but longstanding hotel is best known for its open-till-late café overlooking Juhu beach. Don’t be surprised if stars from yesteryear start to file in after 9pm for a quick kebab and coffee.

Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
Nariman Point, Mumbai, +91-22-6665-3366. www.tajhotels.com.
This five-star property has hosted everyone from celebrities to royalty and is known for its exquisite Moorish/Florentine architecture and its scenic views of the Gateway of India. Despite bearing the brunt of last year’s terrorist attacks, most of the interiors have already been restored.

JW Marriott Hotel
Juhu Tara Rd., Mumbai, +91-22-6693-3000. www.marriott.com.
Home to the infamous nightclub Enigma, the Marriott often plays host to Bollywood’s big shots who like to devour scrumptious food in the hotel’s café post VIP party in their spacious chambers.

How to get there

Jet Airways (02-696-8980. www.jetairways.com) offers a daily flight for B10,995 (roundtrip), departing Bangkok at 8:40am and arriving in Mumbai at 11:30am. Return flights from Mumbai depart at 1:10am.

Thai Airways (02-232-8000. www.thaiair.com), offers two daily flights, one in the morning (7:50am) and one in the evening (6:45pm). Roundtrip tickets are B13,700.

Cathay Pacific (02-263-0606. www.cathaypacific.com) operates one daily flight leaving Bangkok at 1:05am, arriving at 3:35am. Roundtrip tickets are around B17,000.