Understanding suburban liminality: The representation of Mumbai in Indian cinema

Abstract

This chapter examines how suburban Mumbai is portrayed in Indian cinema, exploring the representation of its liminality where progressive and regressive elements coalesce. It examines films like Deewar (1975), Satya (1998), Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Gully Boy (2019) to explore how these films navigate the balance between progress and regress within the suburban context. On one hand, they depict the aspirational dynamics of the suburbs, where dreams are born and realized. On the other hand, they expose the underbelly of this very dreamland, marked by poverty, inequality, and crime. This study highlights the critical role of spatial representation in shaping the perception of suburban Mumbai as a liminal space. The confined chawls, busy markets, and congested lanes reflect the conflicting aspirations and values that define the suburban experience in Mumbai. This study argues that suburban Mumbai is a liminal space where traditional cultural values intersect with modern, often conflicting, urban influences, creating a complex environment that blurs the boundaries between the rural and the cosmopolitan. It shows how Indian cinema represents the dynamic and conflicting nature of suburban existence in Mumbai.