World Mental Health Day: Lights, Camera, Metro – How Cinema Portrays Urban Existence

Mumbai, often depicted as the city of dreams, shines brightly on the silver screen, showcasing its vibrant culture, relentless pace, and stark contrasts. When Aisha Banerjee (played by Konkana Sen Sharma), from ‘Wake Up Sid’, a spirited young woman from Kolkata, arrives in Mumbai to pursue her dreams, she represents the optimism and excitement that the city can offer.

Aisha’s journey in Mumbai is a vivid depiction of how cities can define the characteristics and personal moods of their inhabitants. Her initial feelings of bewilderment and excitement mirror the experiences of many newcomers to the city. As she navigates the crowded streets, local trains, and vibrant culture of Mumbai, she undergoes a transformation that reflects the city’s ability to shape the lives and attitudes of its residents.

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Yet, beyond the glitz and glamour, cinema has also delved into the darker side of urban life in this bustling metropolis – the pervasive sense of loneliness that often accompanies the city’s fast-paced, detached lives.

One such cinematic portrayal of Mumbai’s urban loneliness is found in the movie ‘Rat In The Kitchen’, streaming on JioCinema as part of JioCinema Film Festival. Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s chaotic yet captivating urban landscape, the film successfully explores themes of loneliness, a lack of belonging, and emotional bereavement, portraying Vikram (Mantra Mugdh) as a character struggling to cope with the drastic changes in his life.

“Having lived here for the past six years – I relate to the urban isolation that tends to get under one’s skin at times. Despite being surrounded by people, there is a staggering sense of loneliness which comes with living in a city that never stops to ponder,” shares Arkish who came across the original story while surfing Reddit and decided to turn it into a screenplay.

Talking about his journey in Bombay, Mantra Mugdh from ‘Rat In The Kitchen’ said, “My first tryst with Mumbai was intimidating. Living alone can get to you in this city. It’s a city where you might be surrounded by a lot of people, but if you look closely, you will realize everyone here is all by themselves.”

“The character I play is struggling with his mental state. His life is shattered by the incidents that lead him to be living a loner’s life. He finds himself in a position where he is not sure if what he is experiencing is his imagination or a truth he does not want to acknowledge,” he further added.

However, the question still ponders. Is living alone in a metropolis as difficult as shown in movies?

“Living alone in a metropolis can lead to profound feelings of isolation, impacting mental well-being”, warns psychologist Jalpa Bhuta, shedding light on the psychological toll of urban solitude.

Vikram Kochhar adds, “In a city that never sleeps, the nights can be the loneliest. The constant hustle can drown out your own thoughts, leaving you with only the echoes of your solitude. As an actor, we struggle a lot on a daily basis to achieve our dreams, and some days when it’s not working out for you, it can get really difficult to survive the day and it might lead you to negative thoughts, leaving you anxious.”

So, what should one do? Bhuta answers.

“To make city life more manageable, remember to take care of yourself, connect with others, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it. Building a support system and practising mindfulness can be your allies in navigating the urban jungle while keeping your mental well-being in check,” she concludes.