Mumbai is regarded as the city of dreams. The city that never sleeps and is always running no matter what. The gushing sound of the water hitting the rocks at Marine Drive, the sudden drizzle during winters, and watching the sunset from Bandra-Worli sea link helps many forget their worries. Some even claim that Mumbai is one of the world’s most honest cities.
However, there are also those who think Mumbai is overrated and not worth romanticizing.
Taking to Twitter, a user ‘@dhobiwankenobhi’ shared her unpopular opinion and tweeted that having stayed in Mumbai for a considerable amount of time, she will never understand the romanticization of Bombay.
I will never understand the romanticisation of Bombay. I’ve stayed here for extended periods of time over the years, and yet. Noisy as fuck. Crowds upon crowds upon crowds. Housing, both infrastructure and pricing, is a joke. Errything is expensive. Traffic?
— dhobhi-wan-kenobhi (@dhobiwankenobhi) January 17, 2022
She also said:
Since this has made it out of my peripheral circle, I’d say this and only this: If you’re QT-ing talking about the charm/the spirit/the attitude of Bombay, this tweet was written specifically about you. A city is made habitable by habitable conditions and not abstract concepts.✌️
— dhobhi-wan-kenobhi (@dhobiwankenobhi) January 18, 2022
And it just took a couple of tweets to turn Twitter into a war zone. Those who agreed with her had this to say:
You are spot on and articulate about the entire Mumbai spirit situation. Don’t let bambaisexuals tell you otherwise 🤝
— Hendostani Bhow (@Bhartiya_Kopite) January 18, 2022
I guess you forgot to mention the shitty food.
— Shubh Manchanda (@ManchandaShubh) January 18, 2022
Totally concur. I always found it a highly dehumanising city. Bad beach, food, air, traffic, you name it. Average bombayite is so uninteresting, so superficial, be it in SoBo or Thane.
— PlanetX (@lonely20planet) January 18, 2022
You are right.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.— Siddhartha S Anand (@sid_s_anand) January 18, 2022
I’ve heard multiple arguments over Delhi vs Mumbai but I don’t think there’s any comparison. Delhi is far better and superior than Mumbai in terms of livelihood and it only pales in comparison for the lack of nightlife.
— Aarif (@cockunsure) January 18, 2022
I think the people of Mumbai have been hoodwinked by politicians using the spirit of Mumbai jargon.. So they do not ask for clean roads, footpaths, open spaces, garbage free localities, good transportation.
— Shilpa Deshpande (@shilpaatul) January 19, 2022
Bollywood sold people dreams about that place https://t.co/R2lPhcXCN2
— bad WR would be good if we used him like Deebo (@FrankbyXmas) January 19, 2022
I’ve only ever been to Mumbai once, and this was how I felt too lol. Didn’t like being there at all! Maybe thats where my hate for MI stems from… https://t.co/pf4wUqRwv7
— A J (@aljohn96) January 19, 2022
Glad somebody said it! https://t.co/oJv16vF9wU
— Samiya Latief (@SamiyaLatief) January 18, 2022
However, there were scores of people who defended Mumbai’s glory and reasoned why they would always be in love with the city.
Metered taxis & autos, ethical & efficient public transport, uninterrupted power supply, safe for women 24/7, helpful & transparent ppl, good connectivity via local trains, shop & eat in any budget without compromising on quality. And the perk: SEA 💙
I love my Mumbai / Bombay 😇 https://t.co/4XkxF82qlj— Anubha Bhat 🌿 (@teatattler) January 19, 2022
The warmest, most welcoming city I have ever lived in. It’s just a plus that as a woman, I can take a walk on the road alone at 3 am without thinking twice. In a world where safety is a luxury for women, I think a city offering me that wins big time! ❤️ https://t.co/IsjVA8HDbE
— Mohar Basu (@MoharBasu) January 19, 2022
Wish u were romancing with #Mumbai & not Bombay!
One of the most beautiful,progressive,Liberal, hardworking city of opportunities & vibrant & cultural melting pot of India is #आमचीमुंबई! ❤️
Love with pure soul & unconditional then see #Mumbai will love u back!😎 https://t.co/Grr9IVyMAf pic.twitter.com/S1btEGbR9J
— Mahendrakumar (@BrotherToGod) January 19, 2022
Mumbai is the greatest city in India, but it's not for the faint-hearted.
There's music to the noise, fraternity in the crowds, harmony amidst the chaos, and 20 million stories of resilience and grit. You need to see the subtle beauty of the human spirit to appreciate it. https://t.co/2dFoxdUlib pic.twitter.com/Gn7ZUq658S— Karldin (@karldinmanfor) January 19, 2022
It is one of the safest city for the Women in the country https://t.co/C6lc11LQ9g
— Mahua/ মহুয়া (@mahuadey20) January 18, 2022
There's no other city that gives this kind of independence, convenience and support especially to single women like #Mumbai
Autos/ other public transport at all times of day & night, food & meds delivery, work opportunities, places one can visit alone comfortably. Mumbai is ❤️🏡 https://t.co/qU7Trer4gG— Akancha S Srivastava (@AkanchaS) January 18, 2022
I could carefree travel in autos despite being drunk as hell at 3 am, I’ve lived in so many parts of the country and yet I’ve never met as enthusiastic, passionate and career driven localities as Mumbaikars, being a single parent child life’s been so easy for me here , compared https://t.co/kvyG5u6K1A
— Devuu. (@stfuDevyani) January 18, 2022
It's arguably the safest and most inclusive city in the country. It lets you be.. perhaps even allows you to be you. You find a way to 'adjust' with everything else beyond that 🙂 https://t.co/usrE0IUDq4
— Nikhil Taneja (@tanejamainhoon) January 18, 2022
people being needlessly harsh on mumbai, it's easily among top 5 cities in maharashtra https://t.co/irXWU5talh
— Double Agent (@DoubleAgentt) January 18, 2022
Are you team Mumbai? Do you have a memory associated with the city?