Central Mumbai
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Central Mumbai
Bandra
Bandra is a Mumbai suburb with Portuguese influence. It has a mix of east Indian and Muslim communities. The area is densely populated.Bandra West has beautiful villas/bungalows and street names reflecting the Catholic population. Some of the bungalows can be rented for filming.Bandra East has slums and was once a center of cloth handlooms.Bandra is home to some of the oldest churches in Mumbai, including St. Andrew's, St. Peter's Church, and Mount Mary Church. The area also has Gothic style buildings built in Elizabethan, Victorian and Edwardian eras.Bandra has been mentioned in Christian books since the first European conquests on the Indian subcontinent. It was first called Bandor by the Portuguese in 1505. The area was under Portuguese rule until 1774 when it came into English hands.
Santacruz
Santacruz, a historical neighborhood in Mumbai, was originally a small village inhabited by farmers. In 1850, a Portuguese Holy Cross was built, leading to the name Santacruz. The area still has a Catholic presence with churches and vintage villas.Santacruz borders the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Juhu, Khar, and Bandra-Kurla Complex. It also has pockets of East Indian communities like Vakola and Kalina. Kalina even has a 17th-century church, Our Lady of Egypt.Santacruz offers a glimpse into Mumbai's Catholic heritage and East Indian communities. It's a suitable location to film content featuring these aspects of the city.
Sion
Sion, once the northernmost tip of Bombay Island, has a rich history. Known as Siam, Syva, Siva, Simwa, or Sião throughout history, its Marathi name remains Sheev today. Nestled between Dharavi, Antop Hill, Chembur, and Kurla, it's a key junction between Mumbai's suburban and city districts.The Sion Fort, built by the English East India Company (1669-1677), is a must-see. Originally marking the border between English and Portuguese territories, it offers panoramic views despite its ruined state. The area is also well-connected by the Harbour and Central Line railway stations of Chunabhatti, Sion, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, and Kings' Circle.An interesting fact: a causeway built in 1797 (Duncan Causeway/Sion Vellard/Sion Causeway) to connect Bombay and Salsette islands became part of today's Eastern Express Highway. This road was once too narrow for carriages, limiting its use to local farmers and gardeners.