Hindi, High-Rises, and Hope: Mumbai’s Fascinating World

Mumbai is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It’s loud, colorful, busy, and full of surprises! From tall skyscrapers to movie studios, Mumbai is a place where many people live, work, and dream big. Let’s explore why this Indian city is so special—especially for curious kids!

What is Mumbai?

Mumbai is a huge city in western India, and it’s the capital of the state of Maharashtra. A long time ago, it was called Bombay. Today, Mumbai is known as the financial heart of India. That means a lot of big businesses and banks are there. It’s also one of the largest urban areas in the world!

Over 12 million people live in the city area—and more than 16 million live in the larger metro area. That’s more than many entire countries!

A City on Islands

Mumbai is a city made up of seven islands that are now connected. Since there isn’t a lot of land, real estate is very expensive. People live very close together, and the city keeps growing. To help with space and traffic, a new planned city called Navi Mumbai (which means New Mumbai) was built nearby. Navi Mumbai is connected to Mumbai by railways and has modern buildings, homes, and parks.

Skyscrapers and Slums

Mumbai has some of the tallest skyscrapers in South Asia. These tall buildings are mostly found in places like Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, Malabar Hill, and along the western coast. The tallest of all are The Imperial I and II, both 817 feet high!

But Mumbai also has slums—areas where people live in simple homes made from metal sheets and wood. This shows the big differences in how people live in the same city. Still, no matter where they live, Mumbaikars (people from Mumbai) are known for their energy and creativity.

Mumbai and Movies!

Did you know that Mumbai is the movie capital of India? It’s home to Bollywood, which is even bigger than Hollywood in terms of how many movies it makes! India is the largest producer of films in the world, and Mumbai is the heart of it all.

Movies are a big part of Indian culture. They include colorful costumes, music, dancing, and stories that kids love. Learning Hindi—the language of most Bollywood movies—can help children enjoy even more of India’s rich entertainment world.

Mumbai for Kids

Even though Mumbai is very crowded, there are lots of fun things for children to see and do!

• Marine Drive: A curving road by the sea, great for evening walks

• Gateway of India: A famous arch that greets visitors from the sea

• Sanjay Gandhi National Park: A big green park inside the city

• Film City: Where Bollywood movies are filmed!

Kids living in Mumbai grow up speaking many languages, including Hindi, Marathi, and English. Many children take part in arts, sports, and even drama classes, dreaming of becoming future movie stars!

Learn Hindi and Explore Indian Culture

If your child is curious about Mumbai and India, learning Hindi is a great place to start. With Dinolingo, kids ages 2–14 can learn Hindi in a fun, interactive way through:

• Engaging games and songs

• Animated videos and characters

• Printable worksheets

• Fun badges and rewards

• An easy-to-use parent dashboard

Dinolingo is available on web, iOS, and Android, and one subscription supports up to 6 learners, perfect for families.