Hansal Mehta Criticizes Mumbai: 'A City Consumed by Consumerism, Yet Hollowed Out from the Inside'
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, known for his critically acclaimed films, recently expressed his dismay over the state of Mumbai, comparing it unfavorably to Colombo, despite the economic and political challenges faced by Sri Lanka.
Hansal MehtaMumbaiColomboReal EstateUrban IssuesReal Estate MumbaiAug 03, 2025
Taking to his official X handle, Mehta expressed his discontent in a heartfelt post. “Every time I come back to Mumbai I am appalled — not just by the filth, the chaos, the broken infrastructure, but by our collective indifference to it. We excuse it all with ‘but we have such a large population.’ True. But we also have a population that has been taught to expect very little, demand nothing, and normalise the unacceptable,” the director noted.
Mehta shared that even with the sky-high real estate cost of the Maximum city, all that the city has to offer is garbage-littered streets, open drains, and civic apathy dressed up in designer branding. “A city consumed by consumerism, yet hollowed out from the inside. How long will we continue to live like this? Apathetic, exhausted, and resigned — mistaking endurance for pride, and chaos for character,” he added.
However, the 'Scoop' maker has not lost hope and still loves Mumbai. “It has given me everything. But it’s strangled by those in power — people who never let it breathe, who won’t allow it to care for us. They profit from its decay and dress it up as resilience,” he concluded.
Mehta reacted to a post by French expat Mathilde R', a Gurugram resident. Taking to social media, she had claimed, “Many of my foreign friends no longer wish to visit.” She added that despite being a hub to some of India's most premium brands such as Vistara and Oberoi, public spaces of the city resemble “post-war zones or underdeveloped nations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Hansal Mehta say about Mumbai?
Hansal Mehta criticized Mumbai for its filth, chaos, broken infrastructure, and collective indifference. He compared it unfavorably to Colombo, despite the economic and political challenges faced by Sri Lanka.
Why did Hansal Mehta express his disappointment on social media?
Hansal Mehta used his official X handle to express his discontent with the state of Mumbai, highlighting issues such as garbage-littered streets, open drains, and civic apathy.
What did Mathilde R' say about Mumbai?
Mathilde R', a French expat resident in Gurugram, claimed that many of her foreign friends no longer wish to visit Mumbai. She described the city's public spaces as resembling 'post-war zones or underdeveloped nations.'
What is Hansal Mehta's hope for Mumbai's future?
Despite his criticism, Hansal Mehta has not lost hope for Mumbai. He loves the city and believes it has given him everything, but he is concerned about those in power who profit from its decay and prevent it from caring for its people.
How does Hansal Mehta describe the current state of Mumbai's infrastructure?
Hansal Mehta describes Mumbai's infrastructure as broken, with garbage-littered streets, open drains, and civic apathy. He emphasizes that the city is consumed by consumerism but hollowed out from the inside.
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