Mumbai: Bollywood Studio Tour with City Sights & Pickup

Summary

See Mumbai’s movie sets then ride past iconic city spots

You’ll step behind the scenes at a working Bollywood studio in Mumbai, watch technicians and actors during live shooting (if you’re lucky), peek into makeup rooms, and maybe even grab a photo on set. Choose the city tour option to visit famous sights like Marine Drive and Gateway of India — all with pickup available if you want it. It’s messy, lively, and honestly pretty memorable.

What’s the experience like?

“Phones on silent, please — the director gets cranky if we ruin a take,” our guide grinned as we shuffled through the studio gates in Mumbai. I was half-expecting something glitzy, but honestly, it felt more like wandering into someone’s busy workshop than a movie set. The air smelled faintly of paint and chai, and there were people everywhere — makeup artists fussing over wigs, someone dragging a fake temple pillar across the floor. Our guide (I think his name was Ajay?) pointed out where they shot scenes from “Chak De” and “Welcome Back.” I tried to picture Shah Rukh Khan walking here, but mostly I just noticed how everyone kept glancing at their phones between takes.

We got to peek inside a star’s makeup room — not as glamorous as you’d think, just a mirror surrounded by those round bulbs and some half-eaten samosas on the counter. There was this moment when filming paused and everything went quiet except for a distant crow outside. It made me realize how much waiting is part of making movies. Ajay told us photos were only allowed if we asked first (I chickened out), but he did let us stand by the village set for a quick snap. The fake grass felt weirdly crunchy under my shoes.

If you pick the city tour option after the Bollywood studio tour, you get whisked off to see places like Marine Drive and Victoria Terminus. Our driver had opinions about every landmark (“Gateway of India is best at sunset — trust me”). By then my head was full of movie scenes mixing with real Mumbai traffic noise. I still think about that odd mix: one minute you’re watching actors rehearse in silence, next you’re dodging rickshaws near Dhobi Ghat. It’s not fancy or slick, but it’s real — which is probably why it stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bollywood studio and city tour

• Visit shooting studio sets
• Watch technicians at work
• See star make-up rooms
• Explore temple and village sets
• Tour garden road and terrace
• Visit Krishna cottage and police station
• Optional city tour of Mumbai
• See Marine Drive and Gateway of India
• Visit Dhobi Ghat and Victoria Terminus

Top questions

What movies have been filmed at this Mumbai studio?

Blockbusters like Fan, Humpty Sharma ki Dulhaniya, Welcome Back, Jagga Jasoos, 2 States, Sarkar, Chak De! India, plus TV shows such as Crime Patrol and Ye Hai Mohabbatein.

Can I take photos inside the Bollywood studio?

Photos are only allowed with permission; professional cameras aren’t permitted unless approved by staff.

Is hotel pickup included in the Bollywood Studio Tour?

Hotel/airport/port pickup is available if you choose that option during booking.

What else is included in this tour?

The tour includes entry fees for the studio (and slum/city/Elephanta caves if selected), guide fees where applicable, and ferry charges for Elephanta caves if chosen.

How long does the Bollywood Studio Tour take?

The main studio visit is fairly quick; adding the city tour option makes it longer depending on stops.

Are meals included in this experience?

No meals are provided; this is a basic reality tour without food included.

Is this suitable for families or people with strollers?

Yes—infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the tour.

Can I meet any Bollywood stars during the visit?

You might spot actors or get autographs/photos if they’re around, but it isn’t guaranteed.

What’s included

Your day covers entry fees for both the Bollywood studio and any extra tours you select (like slum or city sights), plus guide fees where needed. Ferry charges are included if you add Elephanta Caves to your booking. Pickup from your hotel or airport is available as an option — just check what works best when booking online.