The Mumbai gems.

This should be the first time Im writing a blog from the sky and its cause I really want to write this. I update here only when I feel like Ive something to share and I want it to come from my heart.

So, Ive been travelling quite a lot these days even if its just to Kochi and back home. When I decided to get the post production – Sound designing, to be specific – of \’Waft\’ done in Mumbai so many thoughts crossed my mind. Last time when I flew to Mumbai, I had atleast three of my batchmates but this time I learned everyone has left the place. Although this was solely a professional trip, I didnt want to miss out on meeting my personal connections.

The second thought that crossed me was where would I stay. It has been only a while since I heard about Airbnb and the concept seemed more soothing to me. I searched for quite a while and came across a listing with the title \’Welcome to the family\’. I clicked on it. It fits my budget. It looks nice. I read the host description. From my experience of interacting with a lot of people, I know a passionate person can be a good host to anyone/anything. The description simply blew me away. I read the reviews. Damn! They are a superhost.

But I wasnt sure they would accept my request to book cause I enquired once and cancelled it. Surprisingly, they accepted the booking. Now comes my nervous worry – Yeah, I worry too much about certain things. My flight was landing only at 10:30pm and since its \’The AirIndia\’ I was more than sure it wont be right time. I spoke to the host and told them I would be late. They were totally fine! Oh yeah, Mumbai, afterall. The city that never sleeps.

If I decide to write in detail about every moment of the stay, I think I will have to fly more two more hours.

Shrijoo and Chandni are two pure human beings with no masks. They speak from their heart. Whatever they do in life comes from their soul. Chandni is into handicrafts and whenever she talks about it, her eyes lit up more than mine when I talk about films. Shrijoo, although she calls herself absent minded, I dont think that is the case.

As per the Airbnb plan, I believe, I was supposed to be getting only complimentary breakfast. But they served me dinner on the first night. Have you guys had Panneer masala? Well you haven\’t unless you have what Deepak, their household, makes. I was reminded of that epic scene in our Malayalam film \’Salt N Pepper\’ where Lal asks Baburaj \”Porunno ente kude?\” I wish!

I spent only around 30hours at their place but it felt like a lifetime. We say \”Adhidhi Devo Bhava\” and they live it.

Oh and the room. Its so nicely kept. You wake up to sunlight coming through the tinted windows. You wake up seeing a beautiful quote by Dalai Lama which is hung on the wall. For a struggling film aspirant like me, to wake up reading \’Never give up\’ is more than what you ask for.

Chandnis friend, Abhinav (or Abhiram) is the nicest guy Ive met in a longtime. Having met someone from UP long back and had bad experience, it took me by shocking surprise to meet Abhinav. He is a hulk (well, a cute one) with the heart of cotton.

Speaking of cotton, I had a quick look into Chandnis Cashmere weavers. Damn! They are just so bloody good. If I was rich, I would have bought so much from her. The material is so soft that you feel like hugging the scarfs. You guys can check out her collections on Instagram and her website.

Just remembered that I forgot to ask them how did they get a mug of Malayala Manorama. 🤔

My next Mumbai trip would be based on the availability of rooms at their place.

Meanwhile, you guys can checkout their place.

Okay, yeah. The sound designing and final mixing was successfully completed in between.