There’s something eternally magnetic about sunsets especially when they unfold over the Arabian Sea. Marine Drive, Mumbai’s iconic curved boulevard, has always been more than just a road- it’s an emotion, a symbol of calm amidst chaos. But lately, it’s also become something else: a battleground of camera angles.
As pre-monsoon skies paint the city in surreal hues, Marine Drive has become a sunset magnet, drawing massive crowds each evening.
Over the past few weeks, the seaface has been unusually packed –not just with tourists, but with locals turning up in droves to catch that perfect shot of the fiery skyline before the rains roll in.
What used to be a serene place for walkers and quiet sitters has become a buzzing crowd of phones, selfies, tripods, reels, and aerial shots. On weekends especially, it’s nearly impossible to find a quiet spot to sit ; let alone reflect.
This growing enthusiasm is understandable. After all, the view is magnificent — a golden sun melting into the horizon, waves gently lapping the rocks, and the city lights preparing to blink awake. But somewhere along the way, we’ve traded that peaceful experience for a performance.
I walked down Marine Drive just recently and was struck not just by the crowd, but by its energy. Everyone — and I mean everyone — was angling for the perfect frame, the right pose, the ideal filter. Few were actually watching the sun set.
Even fewer looked away from their screens. What could have been a collective moment of quiet awe felt more like a competitive content zone.
Don’t get me wrong – I love that people are appreciating public spaces and natural beauty. But I also wonder: are we really experiencing the sunset if we’re only focused on capturing it?
Or are we slowly reducing even nature’s most timeless spectacles into mere visual assets for social media?
The BMC and city planners may need to consider some light crowd management or awareness signage if this trend continues, especially to prevent overcrowding and ensure safety along the promenade’s edge.
But more than civic intervention, what’s needed is a shift in mindset to once again fall in love with just being there. To breathe. To pause. To witness rather than just record.
So next time you’re at Marine Drive as the sky burns orange and the sea hums quietly, I urge you: put the phone down, just for a moment. The most beautiful pictures are sometimes the ones you don’t take.
Curated by : Krisha Jethwani
