Why I Wrote A Book About Mumbai Through The Eyes Of Young Journalists

 

“Mumbai doesn’t sleep—they say. But in its sleeplessness, it dreams in seven languages, drinks chai with strangers, and tells a thousand stories.” That was the starting point of my book Inside Mumbai: Stories from the Heart of a Vibrant City.

As someone who has walked through the lanes of Fort, Kala Ghoda, caught the last train from Churchgate, and interviewed citizens with courage in their voices, I wanted to capture a version of Mumbai that isn’t just glamorous or gritty—it’s alive.

This book follows seven young journalism interns at The Indian Express—each from a different background, each trying to navigate a city that is as unforgiving as it is inspiring. I structured the book around Mumbai’s seven original islands, blending fact with fiction, journalism with emotion.

Because I believe storytelling and journalism aren’t far apart. Because many of us grew up in cities without pausing to ask—Who are we amidst this chaos? And because Inside Mumbai: Stories from the Heart of a Vibrant City is my love letter to the city that taught me to listen. If you’ve ever found home in a cutting chai, in a byline, or in a stranger’s story on a local train, this book might speak to you. You can find it on Amazon, Notionpress, Flipkart, and Kindle. I’d love to know what you think.