Think I'd better start writing that Oscar acceptance speech!

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Mumbai - home of bollywood - the largest movie industry in the world, churning out over 1000 movies a year (most of which are of debatable quality!). In the Lonely Planet guide it says that casting directors regularly hang around the streets frequented by backpackers asking if they want to star in a bollywood movie as an extra. But what would the odds be on that happening to us?

The journey to Mumbai wasn't great at all - train left Ranthambhore at 11pm and arrived at 3pm the next day - that's 16 hours. Goes without saying we arrived at the hotel absolutely shattered. At 6pm we venture out on the streets looking for somewhere for dinner when we get approached by......... a casting director! "Do you want to be in a Bollywood Movie?!?!" Even though we were shattered and filming was to be from 7pm that night to 5am in the morning - we just couldn't say no especially as we got paid 500rupees each (only about 7 quid but it paid for the room for 2 nights)! And so at 7pm that night we found ourselves on a movie set as extras in a Bollywood movie! This is what I could gather of the story: it's set in the Red Light District of Amsterdam (!), two Indian club owners are arguing about a woman (girlfriend or prossie i've no idea - probably both) which ends up in a dramatic fight in the streets and one of them getting shot. Sounds like a blockbuster already! We were extras for the fight in the street and the shooting - it was a pretty tight set so I can imagine spotting me and Ames won't be a problem. Especially in the scene where a man comes from behind us pointing a gun and we have to look shocked and cower out of the way. I'm sure it's the my shock reaction that's gonna win me the Oscar for best supporting actor!! But anyway - the whole experience was great, although I could never be an actor as there's too much waiting around and they shoot the scenes over and over again! And the directors are too cranky, "let me see the reaction on you faces... no laughing, he has a gun... shock, i want to see shock on your faces" and other random dribble! So anyway 'Dil Diya Hai' or 'Give Me Your Heart' in English (althought if you're in Amsterdam you aint looking for someones heart!), is out in July!

Back to Mumbai - a city completely different from what we've seen before in India because of the British Colonial buildings and architecture make you really feel like you're in London. Victoria Terminus is like St Pancras but 4 times as big (therefore 4 times as amazing), Bombay University looks like it belongs by the Thames. The main street through the old part of Mumbai is just like The Strand but much hotter and without the Starbucks on every corner! They even have red buses here! So we've had a stroll through Mumbai, stopping frequently at parks in the middle of the city (like London!) and visited Elephanta Island - rock cut Hindu Temples from around 8th century bc, which were cool. The hour boat ride to the island was pretty good as well, giving great views of Mumbai. Also checked out India Gate and The Taj Palace hotel, which are right on the waters edge! Managed a bit of shopping, trying out those perfected haggling skills!! Like Bundi it's a shame we don't have another day as we've only really been here 2 and half days because of issues with getting a train from Ranthambhore but it's a great city - reminds me of home but is still distinctly an Indian city - the Bollywood experience was great too!

And that's it for India - we fly to Bangkok early in the morning. It's a place that has grown on me since the utter chaos that was Delhi. Have seen some good stuff and it's been a really great experience!

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Photos

Bollywood Film Set!!!
And the frantic work behind the scenes!

Bollywood Film Set again!!!
This is a street in 'Amsterdam'!!

Mumbai
View over the harbour as we cruised over to Elepahanta Island

Elephanta Island
Carvings inside the rock temple