Chelsea Handler’s Mumbai
As anyone who is familiar with Chelsea Handler knows, the late-night talk show host finds joy and comfort in uncomfortable situations. It’s why she loves traveling and why Mumbai ranks as one of her all-time favorite cities. The India-centric episode, which airs this summer on Netflix, celebrates the places she can’t forget—many of which are listed below.
Highlights
Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
Facing the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India monument, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel blends Moorish, Florentine, and Indian architecture. The historic palace wing reopened in 2010 with 243 new rooms and 42 suites, including one that houses the sitar on which legendary Indian musician Ravi Shankar composed his Concerto No. 1. George Harrison checked into the Taj in 1966 to take lessons from the maestro.
Set sail from Mumbai for one of Chelsea’s favorite experiences from her trip. “Take the hour-and-a-half ferry ride to the Elephanta Caves, west of the city. You can shop for spices and bangle sets on the carts in Gharapuri, the village at the ferry port, then walk up the 200 or so steps to explore the caverns where Shiva and other Hindu gods and goddesses are carved into stone.”
5, Bandra Kurla Complex Road, Kolivery Village, MMRDA Area, Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400098, India
While staying in Mumbai, aka the entertainment capital of India, Chelsea Handler made time for a Bollywood class at Dance Planet, where she learned “classic moves like the Thumka, the hip-bopping move you see in movies like Slumdog Millionaire.” She learned from the best: Dance Planet’s instructors work with Bollywood dancers. “Bollywood is hard; you have to sing, act, and dance—kind of like Britney Spears,” Chelsea said. “I’m uncoordinated and have no rhythm, so it was very entertaining to try and mimic the woman who teaches many of the Bollywood actresses how to dance.” This appeared in the July/August 2017 issue.
1, Anandilal P Marg, Dhobi Ghat, Shanti Nagar, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011, India
This astonishing human-powered Laundromat near Mahalaxmi Station is where scores of dhobis (laundrymen) bring dirty clothes from homes and hotels from all over the city each morning to clean them by hand in big open-air troughs. It’s an incredible sight—hundreds of thousands of items of apparel are said to pass through here each day—and what’s even more incredible is that each shirt, vest and sock finds its way back to its rightful owner, clean and folded, later that day.
Plot No:602, Dr BR Ambedkar Road, Pali Mala Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050, India
“Mumbai is where many cultures come together, and the food highlights this,” Chelsea said of her time in Mumbai. She particularly loved the Pali Village Cafe, a hip little eatery in Bandra, [which] mixes Parisian with Italian and Indian.”
This appeared in the July/August 2017 issue.
This appeared in the July/August 2017 issue.
One of Chelsea Handler’s favorite discoveries was the rooftop bar at the St. Regis Mumbai. “Go for 360-degree views of the Arabian Sea and a fresh lime and soda, the local drink of choice,” she said. This appeared in the July/August 2017 issue.
