Catherine Zeta-Jones: Mumbai hasn’t lost its culture and individuality

Hollywood power couple Douglas-Zeta Jones on feeling connected to Mumbai as they renew marriage vows and shoot non-scripted film in city’s iconic locations

In December 2019, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones had made a quick trip to India. Now, through his film, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Unplugged in Mumbai — that will release on his YouTube channel on July 15 — producer Shailendra Singh is giving us an opportunity to join Hollywood’s power couple as they discover Mumbai’s colourful lanes, bustling markets and iconic locations. The 50-minute film follows them as they visit the Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat and Babulnath Temple. 

Shailendra Singh

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The first thing that comes to Douglas’s mind when remembering his sojourn is the city’s unique energy. “Mumbai is gorgeous with all the colours, energy, and [warm] hospitality. Everybody tells you that it’s a unique place, but you have to absorb it [to understand it],” says the actor. The trip was all the more special for the couple as they renewed their marriage vows, in a Hindu wedding ceremony. Zeta-Jones recounts being blown away by the melange of traditions and modernism that is Mumbai. “It has the hustle and bustle of a metropolis, but hasn’t lost its culture and individuality,” she shares.

Singh, who earlier made non-scripted film Sergei, says he wanted the couple’s experience to be reflected on screen. “We didn’t have a script and structure in place. They had no boundaries in experiencing Indian traditions. They got married in my house, and we did a Bollywood dance together to experience the emotions that Indian weddings [elicit].” 

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