Last City Standing | Outlook's Next Issue On The Delhi-Mumbai Debate

Which city truly stands the test of time? With Netflix shows like Bollywood Wives vs. The Fabulous, the debate has once again been reignited

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 30 November 2024 6:55 am

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Shalini Passi

Walking through the streets of Purani Delhi, one can almost hear the rhythm that once adorned the canvas of Imroz, where Amrita Pritam bid her final adieu. The city's pulse reverberates with rich heritage, compelling even the most reserved soul to reflect on the poet within. Delhi, with its timeless charm and historical grandeur, has a way to tangle one in its narrative.

On the other hand, there stands the flamboyant Mumbai, a city that fluster dreams of the city. Shah Rukh Khan once famously said that although he is a "Delhi boy" at heart, Mumbai has become more of a home to him.

Even the mint in the water of Pani Puri—Golgappa, Delhites will argue—serves as metaphors for the cities’ identities. Which city truly stands the test of time? With Netflix shows like Bollywood Wives vs. The Fabulous, the debate has once again been reignited. In this upcoming edition, Outlook delves into the ideas and dreams that built these two cities.

Outlook takes a deeper dive into the artists who strive to create a spine in both cities. Dibyendu Bhattacharya reflects on his journey from Kolkata to the National School of Drama, which eventually led him to the warm embrace of Versova, Mumbai. He describes the difference in cultures that shaped his craft: “In Delhi, we used to do rehearsals; we worked on character and voice. In Mumbai, it was about completing one job and finding the next.”

How can one romanticize cities marred by pollution on one hand and clustered with slums on the other? Outlook explores the cultural roots of the cities to to understand what keeps Bombay and Chandani Chowk still alive in Mumbai and Delhi.