“Good morning, Mumbai!” — The moment we hear the name of this bustling city, images of crowded streets, coffee cups, and speeding local trains flash before our eyes. But this 10-12 minute animated short film from NID thrusts us into a different, sobering reality—one where a poignant and sordid struggle lurks beneath the city’s glittering facade. This is the story of the acute sanitation crisis in Mumbai’s slums, where fulfilling basic needs like access to a toilet and water becomes the biggest struggle of daily life.
Director and Production Details
Rajesh Thakare and Troy Vasanth, students of NID (National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad), created this film as their NID diploma project, titled Good Morning Mumbai. It was completed in 2011. As seen on their Behance profile, the film utilizes a hand-drawn animation style that brings the streets and crowded trains of Mumbai to life. The production challenge involved audio integration—recording dialogues in a mix of Hindi and Marathi to create a realistic feel.
The film is not just entertainment; it also addresses sanitation issues. As mentioned on the India Water Portal, it raises awareness about open defecation and the lack of toilets in Mumbai. It is still being reposted on Facebook and Instagram even in 2025, proving its timeless appeal.
Pandu’s Struggle: The Human Fight for a Toilet
The film’s protagonist, Pandu, a slum dweller, has to fight every day for a decent toilet even before he can say “good morning.” Long queues, dilapidated structures, lack of water, and ultimately, the humiliating act of defecating in the open air beside the railway tracks – this is the morning routine for him and millions of other urban poor. The film deliberately avoids focusing on humor or nostalgia, instead aiming to highlight the human suffering caused by the lack of basic sanitation facilities. It raises the question: For whom does the city develop? For those who speed across the flyovers, or for those who live beneath them?
The Conflict of Images: The Play of Light and Darkness in Development
The filmmaker has made exquisite use of visual contrasts here. On one side of the screen, there are towering flyovers and luxury cars, while on the other, directly beneath them, lies the unsanitary environment of a densely populated slum. The contrast between the perfumed passengers inside the local train and the foul-smelling environment outside instantly highlights the extreme form of urban inequality. Without uttering a single word, it reveals for whom urban planning is intended, and who is left out.
Source : Troyvasanth Rajeshthakare
Awards and Prizes List
Good Morning Mumbai cannot be missed without mentioning the awards. It won the Jury Critics Award and Second Best Animation at MIFF 2012. Also:
- AYACC China 2011: Best Student Film
- Infocom 2011: Best Student Animation Film
- Chitrakatha International 2011: Special Mention
- Asifa India 2011: Special Mention
- Anifest Mumbai 2011: Special Mention
- Animamundi Brazil 2011: Competition Selection
- Animac Spain 2011: Screening Selection
These awards have put Indian student animation on the global map. This has been highlighted in the MIFF coverage on Animationgalaxy.in.
‘Good Morning Mumbai!’ has transcended the boundaries of an animation film to become a cultural document. It presents our trajectory of urban development, the realities of slum areas, and the lack of basic amenities necessary for a person’s fundamental dignity in a poignant and beautiful visual narrative. It doesn’t simply leave the viewer in silence; it asks questions – for whom are our cities? Whose development is this? The next morning, when we say ‘Good Morning,’ this film will show us another Mumbai, where dawn still brings not dreams, but a struggle for survival. Read more
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