EXCLUSIVE: Mumbai Meri Jaan, says Elli AvrRam

BOMBAY TIMES EXCLUSIVE

It’s been over a decade since Elli AvrRam moved to India from Sweden and her love for the country has only grown since. “I feel a soul connect with India and Mumbai,” says the actress, who decided to become a Bollywood actor after watching Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. Since Bollywood was the reason Elli made Mumbai her home, it seemed like a perfect idea to do a photoshoot with the actress at some of the most iconic locations in the city, which have also served as an ideal backdrop for many films.

‘Mumbai makes me feel alive’
Elli believes that Mumbai city has something for everyone. “Tumko joh bhi chahiye, Mumbai mein mil jayega, kahi nahi kahi. This city never shuts down. I love that energy and vibe about this place. I have travelled to several places in India, but the moment I land in Mumbai, I feel alive. It’s so lively and buzzing. People are awake at different hours. You can find food at odd hours too. I love Mumbai’s pani puri. The city allows you to dream, have goals and create something. It’s so full of life,” she says.

True blue SRK fan!
Shah Rukh Khan’s residence, Mannat, tops the list for Elli when it comes to visiting Bollywood spots in the city. It was, after all, an SRK movie that motivated her to become an actor. Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow Jalsa and Goregaon’s Film City also feature in her list of favourites.

‘I’m reminded of the time I used to be a happy tourist in Mumbai’
The Malang actress remembers how the Gateway of India was the first tourist spot she visited when she landed in Mumbai years ago. Taking the Mumbai local from Andheri to CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) was her first train experience here. She says, “This shoot feels like I am revisiting those days when I loved taking a stroll in south Mumbai and clicking photos by Marine Drive, the Gateway of India, outside Mannat and being a happy tourist.”