“Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya Tu Dekh Babua” says a paan-chewing, dancing Amitabh Bachhan in Don (1978).

In the scene shot at Apollo Bunder in Mumbai, one can see The Taj Mahal Hotel, the original building of the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, the Swami Vivekanand Statue and everything else, except the Gateway of India.

Weird that the filmmakers chose to exclude what would be considered a monument exclusive to the idea of Bombay. But what were they thinking?

The answer to that; unfortunately, is not yet known. However, two more questions arise from the song (that we gladly have answers to).

Bandra & Churchgate - The Names

We hear the lines “koi bandar nahi hai, phir bhi naam Bandra” and “church ka gate hai, church hai la pata” later in the song. Which brings up the question - what’s the story behind Churchgate and Bandra?

Koi bandar nahi hai, phir bhi naam Bandra

There is no doubt that the name comes from the word bandar, but there are two stories behind this.

First being that the area was a port, therefore the name coming from the word ‘bandar’ which means port.

The other; however, suggests that the dense forests of Pali Hill had a lot of monkeys, therefore the name ‘Bandar’. So if we go by this legend, bandar toh the bachhan saab. (Take a look at Bandra via this 1933 map below)

Church ka gate hai, church hai la pata

I’m guessing that by now a lot of people might know this one. Contrary to what the song says, church ka gate nahi hai, but church ka hai pata.

Yes, the area we know as Churchgate, gets its name from an actual gate that stood where we see Flora Fountain today. The visual below should give you an idea about this gate.

The gate was one of the three gates to the Fort area, and doesn’t exist anymore, but the church near which the gate was built, still stands. It’s the St. Thomas Cathedral near the Horniman Circle Gardens which gives the name to the gate (thus the area), and as of today has a 302 year old history. That’s what I meant when I said church ka gate nahi hai, but church ka hai pata. You must go see it sometime.

And somebody please let Mr. Bachhan know about this, or maybe ask him if he knows the story now. In case he doesn’t, be nice and and offer him a few lifelines.

That’s it from me, @bawmbe and thank you for walking down Mumbai Matinee Marg. I’ll be writing more of these stories that dig in, uncover and connect - Movies and Mumbai.

#BimblingInBombay Presents ‘Mumbai Matinee’ - a series that connects cinema, heritage, bombay and everything else in between.