August 5, 2025: Acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta has sparked a conversation online with a candid social media post comparing Mumbai to Colombo, expressing deep frustration with the state of India’s financial capital. Fresh from a filming schedule in the Sri Lankan capital, Mehta lamented Mumbai’s deteriorating infrastructure, civic indifference, and the normalisation of chaos.
In his post, Mehta remarked, “Just returned from a long shoot in Colombo. A country grappling with economic crisis and recent political turmoil, and yet its capital is cleaner, more organised, and more dignified than the so-called financial capital of a rising superpower.”
He went on to say, “Every time I return to Mumbai, I am appalled—not only by the filth, chaos and broken roads, but by our collective indifference. We justify it all with ‘but we have such a large population.’ True, but we have also been conditioned to expect little, demand nothing, and accept the unacceptable.”
Turning his attention to the city’s exorbitant property prices, he questioned the value offered in return: “We live in a city where real estate costs a soul and a lifetime. For what? A view of littered streets, open drains, and apathy masquerading as resilience.”
Despite his disillusionment, Mehta acknowledged his deep affection for Mumbai, stating, “I still believe I love this city. It has given me everything. But those in power have choked it—profiting from its decay while dressing it up as character.”
His post struck a chord with many citizens, who echoed similar frustrations in the comments. Critics pointed to corruption, a lack of civic sense, and poor enforcement of law as persistent issues. Mehta, renowned for socially impactful films like Shahid, Aligarh, and Scam 1992, continues to challenge systemic failings both on screen and off.
Source: India Today
