2nd Anti-NRC, CAA protest Mumbai: Videos and photos

December 28, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

The second protest in Mumbai against the NRC and CAA took place today at the iconic Azad Maidan. The protesters were earlier supposed to take a march from Byculla to CST station. However, as they didn’t get permission for the same, they had to hold a rally at Azad Maidan.

But this didn’t deter the Mumbaikars from turning up in large numbers. Although initially it looked like not too many people might turn up, the numbers gradually started increasing until a mammoth crowd had formed.

People from all walks of life, religions, age-groups and languages were seen once again. That Mumbai is a multi-cultural city was seen yet again.

Also read: Only living people can protest, rest are dead, says Aarey tribal activist Prakash Bhoir

People were holding banners and placards with serious as well as funny messages in protest of the controversial bills passed by the Government of India.

A lot of the banners contained sarcastic messages for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. A majority of them were memes, which had made their way into the real world from the virtual world. The same was also seen on the rally that took place on 19 December in Mumbai.

A series of speakers expressed their views and protest against the government for passing the bills. These included Varun Grover and Umer Khalid. Grover also recited his famous poem ‘Hum Kagaz Nahin Dikhayenge. See HERE.

Also see: Photos and videos from 1st anti-NRC, CAA rally in Mumbai

Few Bollywood actors like Richa Chadha, Swara Bhaskar and Jim Sarbh also graced the rally.

Just like the earlier rally, one could find quite a few selfless citizens who distributed biscuits and water to the people for free.

Anti CAA rally Mumbai — Two girls distributing packaged drinking water for free.

Only living people can protest, rest are dead, says Aarey tribal activist Prakash Bhoir

December 22, 2019 by Keyur Seta 4 Comments

Aarey Forest has been in the news this year for all the wrong reasons and the same is the case now for the implementation of NRC and CAA bills. Earlier, the Maharashtra Government’s plan to make the Metro carshed over there led to a lot of protests by tree and environment lovers. The trees were eventually cut through deceit much to the heartbreaks of many in Mumbai and all over India.

While we are concerned about the trees, what a lot of city-dwellers are unaware of is that a large community of tribal population is also a part of the Aarey forest. The fact that we all spoke about the trees of the forest and not about the humans staying there since ages is alarming.

Considering how the tribal people of the Aarey forest are neglected, things are expected to get murkier for them if the NRC and CAA is implemented since having proper documents is out of question for tribals not only in Mumbai but also in other parts of India.

Tribal activist Prakash Bhoir spoke about the ordeal of the tribals at the chat session ‘Mumbai Rises To Save Democracy’ in the wake of the current widespread protests against the implementation of the controversial NRC and CAA bills on Friday 21 December.

Bhoir pointed out how they had never been outside the jungle before but now they are forced to because of the ‘development’. “If the birds and animals like leopard are also forced to go out of the jungle, who are we then?” he asked.

The protests ensured that Aarey made headlines but not much for its inhabitants. “Because of the protests Aarey came into the limelight for its jungle and its animals, including leopard. [But] this is where we have been staying too. There are 27 adivasi padas who have been staying in Aarey since long. In the whole of Mumbai there are 222 adivasi padas,” he added.

Bhoir added how the change that took place in their lives ever since the jungles gave away to commercial ventures. “We used to live happily among the lakes and wells. We didn’t feel the need to get anything from outside. But these padas were affected and became less in number after Aarey Colony, Filmcity, SRPF (State Reserve Police Force), veterinary college and other things came up and now there is Metro carshed too,” he said.

He added that in all this, the actual residents of the forest are becoming homeless, indicating that it makes all the more impossible for them to show any documents for the purposes of NRC.

Also see: Video and photos of NRC, CAA protests in Mumbai

Bhoir shared the horrific night when trees were forcefully cut in Aarey in October. He said that they were about to have dinner when they heard noises. “The trees were getting cut and we could hear the sounds. There were barricades. When we confronted the police, they told us none of the trees are getting cut, although we could hear noises of the machines and trees falling,” he said.

He also recalled how they have been offered accommodation in the past by the authorities with the pretext of keeping them safe and away from wild animals. “We said we don’t have any such complaints against them [animals] and neither have they against us. They are our neighbours. Don’t mislead us. They are saying we are poor and living in problems but we are definitely not. We are happy staying with them. We don’t fear them. We fear you,” he said.

Stressing the need to protest, Bhoir signed off saying, “I feel only those who are alive can protest. We don’t have hopes from those who are dead. They won’t feel anything. A lot of dead people are seen around. I feel they should shake themselves up to check in case they might be alive.”

Additional reading:

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

NRC, CAA Protests in Mumbai: See video & photos

December 19, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

In Mumbai, all roads lead today to the historic August Kranti Maidan where NRC and CAA protests will be held. A huge number of Mumbaikars are expected to turn up in what is the first major protest against the two controversial bills.

People started pouring in much before the scheduled time of the protest at 5 pm.

The scenes easily bring back memories of the Indian Against Corruption (IAC) Movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011. Mumbai hasn’t seen any major protest by common citizens after that movement, until the ongoing one at the August Kranti Maidan against NRC CAA.

Earlier in the day, a large number of students from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) got into the local train to reach the venue and started shouting slogans during their journey itself.

The crowd contains people of all ages and walks of life. Mane of them have banners which they must have prepared before leaving their residences or offices.

We have just come to know that the crowd has increased and there is a general mood of anger among the people who have gathered. People are heard chanting slogans against India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is a rising discontent among the people against the passing of NRC and CAA bills.

Additional reading:

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

Kusur (Play) Review – Amol Palekar’s return is an interesting emotional thriller

November 24, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Kusur: The Mistake is a Hindi play that sees veteran artiste Amol Palekar’s return to the stage after 25 long years. The play is adapted from the Danish movie The Guilty (2018, original title ‘Den Skyldige’) directed by Gustav Moller and starring Jakob Cedegren in the lead role. It’s adapted by writer Sandhya Gokhale, who is Palekar’s wife, and directed by the latter.

Kusur revolves around retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Dandavate (Palekar) who is now volunteering for the emergency services in Mumbai wherein distressed citizens dial 100 to receive help. He is accused of killing a young man while he was the ACP and the hearing is on the next day.

The set designer has smartly created the emergency call room. There are no extravagant props used but only the necessary ones, which adds realism. But the use of blue lighting borders is questionable.

As calls keep coming in for help from different citizens, you get easily involved in the proceedings. I don’t know how people handling these calls carry out their task in real. But the working style displayed by Palekar appeared convincing. Even otherwise, the actor has given an impressive act while showcasing different emotions.

Kusur is more of an emotional thriller. The makers haven’t changed the plot from The Guilty. It wasn’t required since the content is not only interesting but also one which can be placed in Mumbai as well in today’s times.

The story takes a turn when a woman calls up 100 and starts speaking with Dandavate as if she is speaking to a child. Dandavate quickly realizes that she needs help but is unable to say openly as she is with a man who is sounding angry.

The ex-ACP instantly realizes that the woman is in danger and starts making valiant attempts to rescue her from the trap. Dandavate is unaware that this is just a starting point of an unusual maze he has got involved in.

Along with him, the audience also goes through various turns and are eventually brought to a point that is both shocking and emotional. The final twist speaks a lot without speaking much and forces you to ask questions related not only to this story but also about the society. The writer has succeeded in fooling the audience, which was so very necessary here.

Also read: Play Review: Ashrunchi Zali Phule

But Kusur also has few questionable aspects. The murder case against Dandavate appears half-baked. Having not seen The Guilty, I don’t know this sub-plot was handled in the movie. But it is not explored much here. There was an opportunity to explore it more since the length of the play is too less at around an hour and 15 minutes or so.

There is also this character Pandey, Dandavate’s close friend, whose past incident about his grandmother doesn’t quite fit in.

Overall, Kusur is an interesting emotional thriller with an added bonus of Amol Palekar’s return to stage.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Play Review: Chakravyuh – Nitish Bhardwaj’s return as Krishna

Play Review: Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

November 24, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

The massive twists and turns in the Maharashtra politics over the last few weeks have put some of the best Bollywood thrillers to shame. The events have also inspired memes that shared on social media platforms and What’s App literally non-stop. While the jokes passed around are indeed hilarious and applaud-worthy, the situation is far from funny.

Over the last few years ever since the boom of social media, politics has suddenly become one of the most favourite topics for people across age groups. This has also given rise to most people clinging on to one party and becoming its ardent supporters. So, obviously, the ideology of their favourite party becomes their ideology.

The flipside of this is that most of the supporters of each party start defending their favourite party and its leaders with fierce determination; at times even when they themselves are aware that they are defending the indefensible.

This, in turn, has seen plenty of old friendships being broken over the last few years just because of difference in political views. Those who used to hang out with each other now don’t see eye to eye, literally.

Now, the dramatic events of the last few weeks after the results of the recently concluded Maharashtra Assemble Elections were declared have made supporters of all parties look like fools to say the least.

Maha U Turn:

It all started when Shiv Sena went rogue soon after the results. They fought the elections in alliance with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and people voted for them because of this reason. However, they broke the alliance post-results for their demand of a bigger share of power despite earning almost half the number of seats won by BJP and shockingly tied up with the Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party).

It will be an understatement to say that the two parties have been Shiv Sena’s arch enemies. They have continuously slammed Congress and NCP for the corruption cases against them over the years. You don’t need to be an iota of expert in politics to know how Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the party, hated the two parties and made Shiv Sena successful only by his campaign against the two.

Now spare a thought for the Shiv Sena supporters who have been lambasting Congress and NCP over the years or even decades. The same can be said also for the supporters of Congress and NCP who have been sternly against Shiv Sena for its Hindutva ideology.

Maha surprise:

Last morning the nation got a jolt after knowing that Devendra Fadnavis was suddenly sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra after getting support from NCP’s Ajit Pawar and other rebel MLA’s (Member of Legislative Assembly) of his party. Ajit Pawar apparently turned rogue against his uncle and party head Sharad Pawar at the last moment just when Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress were about to form the government.

Ajit Pawar has got highly rewarded for his coup as he is made the deputy CM of Maharashtra. Interestingly, he has been named in irrigation scam when he was the Irrigation Minister from 1999 to 2009. He got a clean chit later from the then Congress-NCP government in 2012.

Also read: Does Thackeray hint at Shiv Sena’s changing relationship with Congress?

Now this is where it gets more interesting. After BJP-Shiv Sena government came into power in Maharashtra in 2014, they, under Fadnavis’ leadership, re-initiated enquiries into the alleged irrigation irregularities. Now, the same BJP awarded the post of the deputy CM to the person alleged in the same scam.

You don’t need to go too far to recall how India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called NCP as ‘Naturally Corrupt Party’ more than once (read HERE). Funnily, a past video of Fadnavis vowing never to tie-up with NCP has also resurfaced.

(Article continued below the video)

Hence, now it is the time of the BJP supporters to feel embarrassed. Any regular social media user would know how Ajit Pawar has faced flak from BJP supporters over the years.

The events and twists of this month have proven that the ideology of a party is only followed by its supporters. And only ideology their leaders follow is power.

Let’s hope this turns out to be a wake-up call.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

When BJP leaders were so against EVMs that they wrote books on its ‘dangers’

Amol Palekar’s fight for freedom of expression goes back to the Emergency

Hellaro (Gujarati movie) Review

November 10, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

In the first scene of director Abhishek Shah’s Gujarati movie Hellaro, a mother tells her daughter that girls are not allowed to do Garba (a dance form). When she asks the reason, her father chips in with, “Girls are not even allowed to ask questions.”

Welcome to the interiors of the rann of Kutch in Samarpur in 1975. It is only the men who are actually living their lives in this village. The women are treated like cattle. They are an object of desire for their respective husbands. They can’t move freely around without permission. Most importantly, they are not allowed to do Garba.

In such a setting arrives Manjhri (Shraddha Dangar) as a bride in one household. She is educated by the standards of other women as she has seen the life in the main city of Kutch. Hellaro is about how these women start experiencing freedom when it is least expected after the arrival of a drum player Mulji (Jayesh More) in their lives.

The film brings back memories of Leena Yadav’s Hindi movie Parched (2016). Although the story took place in Rajasthan, it had the same setting of a village in desert where women are living a life of hell. Except this, Hellaro shares no similarity with the 2016 film in terms of the story as well as the treatment.

Shah manages the challenging task of portraying the minute details of the lives of people in such remote areas with all the detailing in place. The clever and smooth-flowing screenplay is ably supported by some creative presentation. This is enough to make the film relatable to any audience around the world.

The hypocrisy of the men is exposed in a natural way. For example, they won’t let their women go out without a veil but at the same time would lust for the Hindi film heroines. There are moments when the plight of the victims breaks your heart. Like, a man forcefully having sex with his wife, which is nothing but marital rape.

Hellaro goes onto a different plane once the women gradually start treading on the path of Garba. The introduction of which is masterfully done. Shraddha Dangar, Kaushambi Bhatt, Esha Kansara and the rest of the female actors have not only acted convincingly but have also shown natural dancing skills.

Jayesh More, in the role of the drummer who changes things, provides a heart-wrenching act oozing realism throughout. Maulik Nayak’s enthusiasm and comic timing is also worth appreciating. He plays Bhaglo, the only link between this remote village and the city.

The end result is vital here since you badly root for the victims. This is where the film reaches its highest point. Without giving away any spoilers, the last 10-15 minutes evoke various emotions as you sit rapt. Mehul Surti’s music plays a big role not just here but in the entire film.

Also read: Saaho’s major similarity with Baahubali (SPOILERS alert)

The only minus point is in the form of a questionable moment in the end. But it certainly doesn’t turn out to be a bother due to the effect generated.

Overall: Hellaro justifies its National Award for the Best Film. It showcases rebellion where it’s least expected. It indirectly gives a message that if patriarchy can be smashed even in the most regressive places, there is no reason why it should exist anywhere else. Abhishek Shah achieves this in his directorial debut.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Director: Abhishek Shah

Producers: Saarthi Productions and Harfanmaula Films

Writers: Abhishek Shah, Prateek Gupta and Soumya Joshi Devvrat

Cast: Shraddha Dangar, Jayesh More, Kaushambi Bhatt, Esha Kansara, Aarjav Trivedi, Maulik Nayak

15 years later: From Tendulkar’s comeback to Aleem Dar’s batting, this match saw it all

November 2, 2019 by Keyur Seta 2 Comments

I have been to Mumbai’s Wankhede and Brabourne stadiums quite a few times. One of my most memorable and ecstatic memories inside a cricket stadium came 15 years ago in the fourth test match between India and Australia played from November 3 to 5. The eventful match completes 15 years today.

Going into the test India had already lost the series by 2-0. But that didn’t deter fans like me to attend the match. With the line-up of players in both teams, who would want to miss out, especially if tickets are available easily?

A major reason for the crowd to turn up for this match despite India losing the series was Sachin Tendulkar. It was his first match of the series since he couldn’t play the first three matches due to an injury.

The match started on a horrendous note for India as they were bundled out for just 104. It could have been worse as they were 33 for 5 at one stage. In reply Australia scored 203. Considering the team they had, they could have taken a much bigger lead but Anil Kumble and Murli Karthik had other plans.

India’s performance was starting to look better in the second innings when they were 153 for 3. There was a renewed hope among us, the spectators. But after VVS Laxman fell for 69 [he loved batting against the Aussies], India could manage only 205 which meant that Australia needed a mere 107 runs to win the match.

There was a healthy rivalry going on with the Australian fans who were seated at the upper stand. We would dance or make gestures to them when India would do well and they would do the same to us when the Australians did. When India was also bowled out in the second innings cheaply, they made gestures to us indicating that they can’t hear our voices now. We had nothing to reply then.

Fans had accepted defeat, including me. I was somewhat pleased to see Tendulkar scoring 55 in the second innings. It was valuable innings considering how the pitch was behaving. I still remember his six over mid-wicket off the off-spinner Nathan Hauritz which hit the roof of the then Wankhede; a target not easy.

As soon as India were bowled out the second time, people started taking exit from the stadium slowly. I, however, had no such plans. I never leave the stadium before the match is completed. I hadn’t left the stadium even when Australia needed just about 10 runs with 10 wickets in hand in an earlier test match against India at the same venue in 2001.

I was hoping for India to pick up at least 5 wickets which would make the chase interesting. All this while, people around me started criticizing team India for their performance in the test, including me. But there was a pleasant surprise in store for us.

Zaheer Khan got Justin Langer out on just the second ball of the innings, much to our joy and amazement. We were pleased at getting at least something to cheer but we were soon silenced after Australia reached 24 for just 1.

The loud cheers were back when Aussies lost two wickets on the score of 24. They were soon 33 for 4 and 48 for 5 when the dangerous Matthew Hayden was bowled around his legs by Harbhajan Singh. Now, we started sensing victory out of nowhere.

Also read: When hearing issues stopped India from winning against England

Mind you, the pitch was playing like devil since the previous day. This enabled Michael Clarke to pick up 6 wickets for just 9 runs in the second innings the previous day! But on the last day, Karthik was having fun as he succeeded in dismissing biggies like Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Clarke.

The biggest moment of the match came when Adam Gilchrist was caught at deep mid-wicket by Tendulkar off Harbhajan’s bowling. I clearly remember how the entire team rushed to that part of the ground to celebrate. Such was the importance of that wicket.

Hauritz showed some fight but the Australians were bowled out eventually for 93 when Glenn McGrath was caught by Laxman off Harbhajan. The celebrations in the stands were crazy to say the least. Only those who have seen the Australian team of that era would understand what it meant to bowl them out for just 93, despite India already losing the series.

Not surprisingly, it was our turn to give it back to the Australian supporters [mind you, all in good humour] in the upper stands. And it was their turn to be stunned now.

The drama wasn’t over though. Following the match, Ponting asked the Indian captain Dravid if he would like to lodge a joint complaint with him about the nature of the pitch. The Australians were not happy to see a ‘sub-standard’ wicket at the Wankhede. Dravid, however, politely refused.

Another interesting bit about the match is related to umpire Aleem Dar. No this is not about any controversy regarding his decisions. As the match ended in just 3 days, Dar approached a local cricket club on the fifth day of the match and played for a team at the Police Gymkhana. He scored 70 odd runs with 7 sixes. Yes, he can also bat [I remember reading the news in Mid-Day along with his picture from the match but can’t find the article now].

It is not often that you see a Pakistani cricketer representing a club in Mumbai. This and various other happenings made this test match eventful. Such was the era when every big test match had its own story with lots of drama.

See the full scorecard of the match by clicking HERE

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Only time Tendulkar was NOT selected in team India, neither injured nor rested

When Australia played against Australia in this World Series

Saturday Nights Review: Deep statement on loneliness in a crowded city

October 29, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Lives of sex workers or prostitutes, as they are called, offer a lot of scope for storytelling in cinema. That’s precisely the reason why characters of sex workers are explored in films across languages and genres.

Director Shibu Sable’s short film Saturday Nights is also based inside the chamber of a prostitute. However, it’s not just any other story based on one.

The film tells the story of Vishwas (Sable himself), a middle-class and middle-aged widower staying in a humble colony in Mumbai. People from his locality gossip about him visiting a prostitute’s den every Saturday night.

They are right. Vishwas does spend his Saturday nights in the apartment of the call-girl Tara (Pradnya Manwatkar). But there is a twist here. Vishwas isn’t like any of her customers.

During the starting portions of Saturday Nights, you wonder where this 14-minute film will lead to as the two protagonists start chatting. But soon enough the twist in Vishwas’s tale wins you over.

Through his character, the film makes a deep and powerful statement on loneliness. The city of Mumbai, or any other metro in India, is overcrowded with people. Yet a lot of people don’t have a single person in their life to whom they can pour their heart out, especially without getting judged.

The moment when Tara asks Vishwas the reason for visiting her and he replies with, “Halka hone,” is the moment of the film. Similarly, the film says a lot without saying much. Having said this, they should have delved a little deeper into the back story of Vishwas, like they have done for Tara. This would have helped the audience in feeling more for him.

Both Sable and Manwatkar perfectly get into the skin of their respective characters. Sable has been and filmmaker and writer and this time he has ventured into acting. Manwatkar has a proven track record in theatre.

Overall, Saturday Nights is a moving take on loneliness in an overcrowded city.

Director: Shibu Sable

Writers: Jaidev Hammady and Shibu Sable

Cast: Shibu Sable and Pradnya Manwatkar

Rating: 4 out of 5

By: Keyur Seta

Watch the short film:

Additional reading:

Saaho’s major similarity with Baahubali (SPOILERS alert)

Why people in their 30s should stop believing they are 70

October 19, 2019 by Keyur Seta 4 Comments

There was a time when 7-8 of us would play cricket. We used to enjoy it. But as much as playing the sport, our constant jokes, one-liners and banter used to delight us. As years passed by and all of us started working, playing cricket slowly faded away, which isn’t surprising.

But thanks to What’s App, we started a group few years ago with the hope that we would regularly revisit those days of fun and laughter.

But strangely, the atmosphere in the group was nowhere similar to the time we used to spend years ago. There were only serious talks. Jokes had no place. Even after I tried numerous times to create humour, it fell on deaf ears. There was just no response. Finally, I gave up.

Weeks later, a friend, one of the members of the group, bumped into me. I straightaway asked him the reason for everyone being so serious on the group and what all happened to their humour. His only reply was, “Ab humne 30 cross kar liya. Ab kya hasi-mazaak?” I stood frozen there, not knowing what to say. I never knew hasi-mazaak had an expiry date and that too so soon in life.

But this is just one example. As the months passed by, I regularly kept hearing similar things from people in their 30s. While having conversations, it is a must for them to say things like, “Ab toh umar ho gayi hai hum logon ki,” “Hum toh buddhe ho gaye hain ab,” etc.

It seems as if they have started believing that they are 70 +. But on second thoughts, I am reminded of how people even in their 80s are seen having fun and laughter while sitting on the fence of Shivaji Park maidan. Also, my Yoga teacher is 80 but I have hardly seen anyone so cheerful and funny. My aunt and her friends are in their 50s but when they meet they behave like teenagers.

But having said this, each one is entitled to live and think the way he or she likes. So, if friends who are in the 30s feel they have become too old to crack jokes and laugh their hearts out, it is their choice. Some of them have also stopped exercising or doing any kind of physical activity thinking there is no hope now for them to get into a better shape or health. I don’t have a problem with that too.

But I do have a problem when they assume that I also think and feel the same. I have a problem when they say umar ho gayi hai ‘hum’ logon ki and ‘hum’ buddhe ho gaye hain. Boss, please replace ‘hum’ with ‘tum.’

While you would be busy spending your evenings with a cup of tea while staring at the sunset thinking life mein ab kuchh raha nahin, I would be taking a jog or thinking about some idea for my next funny write-up or meme.

Never knew I would feel generation gap with people of my own age group.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Why arranged marriages are nothing but shopping?

Murder In Mahim – Book Review

October 7, 2019 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment

The dark, underbelly of Mumbai has attracted many storytellers and filmmakers. Generally such crime stories are about the underworld or some serial killer. As the title of author Jerry Pinto’s novel is Murder In Mahim, you expect another whodunnit murder mystery.

The story is about Peter, a retired journalist staying near Shivaji Park, who gets to know that his son Sunil might be homosexual. Just as he and his wife Millie are trying to come to terms to it in case it turns out to be true, a gruesome murder takes place inside the toilet of the Matunga Road Railway Station.

Peter has a habit of accompanying his close friend Inspector Jende in investigating crimes. He does the same while investigating this murder too. What looked like another murder turns out to be the starting point of a mystery that runs deep into the dark, homosexual world of Mumbai, which we hardly get to notice [The book was written when Section 377 was not absolved].

The initial portions of the book itself make it ample clear that the novel is much more than a mere murder mystery. The murder and the type of crime explored in the novel stand apart from other stories on crimes in Mumbai. It is real but at the same time surprising enough even for Mumbaikars staying in the city for decades.

Like, how many of us know that gay prostitution is so common in Mumbai and that railway station toilets are known spots for the same? And that there are various unofficial spots in the city where unknown gay men meet up to have a good time? Likewise, Pinto’s geographical knowledge of Mumbai, especially where the story is based, is top-notch too [having stayed in the same locality, I can vouch for that].

The author’s narrative is the clear winner here as it tackles police’s role in solving murders, social commentary on homosexuality and the lives of the underprivileged. He has woven all these aspects naturally into the narrative with not a single one of them being the odd-man out. The book also fulfils the criteria of a whodunnit taking you by surprise with a revelation in the end.

Along with the geography of a city, it is also important to know the type of conversations that would take place over there, irrespective in what language your book is. This is another plus point here as the dialogue between the characters are real, interesting and, at times, amusing. This is seen the most during the conversations during the investigation.

Also read: Book review: The Coup India Missed – Glimpse of an alternative India

There aren’t major negative points, except slight complication with the plot in some areas. But I have an issue with the title. The murders take place in the toilet of Matunga Road Railway Station, so why is the book named Murder In Mahim? One might argue that the jurisdiction comes under Mahim Police Station [as claimed in the book] but the crime has, nevertheless, happened in Matunga.

Overall: Murder In Mahim is a well-crafted tale of murders that also makes a strong social statement.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Jerry Pinto

Review By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Short Story: The Orange Garlands of Bharatpur

Book Review: Decoding Life Post 8/11