Mumbai is the rudest city on earth, says a magazine's survey. But Bollywood celebrities, some of Mumbai's most famous citizens, cannot digest the comment. Here's what they have to say:
Amitabh Bachchan: Rude? Says who? On the contrary, it's one of the most loving, giving, compassionate and endearing cities in the world.
Hema Malini: Just the opposite. I'd say Mumbai is the most compassionate city in the world. It has given me and my daughters so much I can't even begin to repay my debts.
Karan Johar: Mumbai is all about tall buildings and large hearts. I'm widely travelled and I've faced rudeness in many parts of the world, for example, in Italy. But that has to do with the pace of life everywhere. Why single out Mumbai?
Sure, people are rude in traffic on the roads. But we can't hold that against the city. I've been born and brought up in Mumbai. When my dad came here from Shimla he had only his dreams. Mumbai fuelled and fostered his dreams. According to me, it's the most accepting, amiable and affable city in the world.
Anupam Kher: Did Reader's Digest really say that? Sorry, we don't digest. For an outsider like me who came here only with dreams, Mumbai invited me in with all my dreams. It's a city that provides a place and opportunity for everyone and then just lets you and me be. Look at how much it has given me. Sorry, I don't buy the theory that the city is rude at all.
Bipasha Basu: I don't believe Mumbai to be a rude city at all. It's a city that took care of an outsider like me. When I came here I was homesick. I wanted to pack my bags and run back to Kolkata. But love and generous care of Mumbaikars for somebody like me who was a nobody kept me going. Any sign of rudeness would have frightened me away from here.
{{/usCountry}}Bipasha Basu: I don't believe Mumbai to be a rude city at all. It's a city that took care of an outsider like me. When I came here I was homesick. I wanted to pack my bags and run back to Kolkata. But love and generous care of Mumbaikars for somebody like me who was a nobody kept me going. Any sign of rudeness would have frightened me away from here.
{{/usCountry}}Dino Morea: I was this scared little boy from Bangalore. Bombay nurtured me, helped me to grow up and find my bearings. It's a city that has a place and a position for everyone. I can't digest Reader's Digest's comment. Are they accusing Mumbayites of bad manners? Sorry, I don't agree. People out here are terrific. It's a caring city. I feel safe here. Can't say the same about a lot of other cities in the world.
Aftab Shivdasani: It's definitely not true. Mumbai is definitely one of the busiest cities in the world but not rude. People here may not have too much time. But they are still courteous. If an outsider asks his way, the busiest Mumbaikar stops and patiently explains the address. And however late for an appointment, a Mumabikar would still help a blind man cross the street. Some inconsiderate sections notwithstanding, Mumbai hasn't lost its humanity.
Madhavan: Either the writer in Reader's Digest doesn't understand Marathi language or must have got stuck in the Mumbai rains on a suburban train... I really don't think Mumbai is any ruder than Chennai or London or Los Angeles. In fact Mumbayites are very welcoming and affectionate.
Adnan Sami: Yeah, sure. Mumbai is the rudest city in the world... just as much as monkeys fly out of my butt. Seriously, what were they thinking? Who cares what Reader's Digest thinks?
Sammir Dattani: Mumbai the rudest city in the world? That's the rudest comment I've ever heard.