Siddhant Chaturvedi of Gully Boy, Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan fame, has an easy charm about him. His spontaneity before the camera makes him one of the most exciting young actors to watch out for. Airbnb has now collaborated with him for a one-of-a-kind experience called ‘Lolla India Like a Local’. As part of its global live music partnership with Lollapalooza, this one is an exclusive four-hour Airbnb Original Experience in Mumbai, which will see Siddhant play the tour guide, taking guests through some of his favourite spots in the City of Dreams. In a candid chat with t2, Siddhant tells us what to expect and what Mumbai means to him.
‘Lolla India Like a Local’ sounds like so much fun! What was your first reaction when you heard the concept?
My first thought was that this felt very honest to who I am. Music has always been my anchor, and Mumbai is where that relationship truly grew. I moved here when I was five, and the city has grown alongside me, shaping me and staying with me through every phase. The idea of inviting Airbnb guests into my world through music and the city felt deeply special.
Lollapalooza India is not just a festival; it is a meeting point of global sounds and local energy. When I set about curating the experience, I thought about how I could take the Lolla India experience beyond the stage and into the city that hosts it. ‘Lolla India Like a Local’ felt like a chance to welcome people into Mumbai through music, the way a local would, and make their festival journey truly meaningful.
Did you know straightaway what you wanted to curate?
Yes, because I knew I wanted it to feel intimate and real. I wanted guests, festival-goers and travellers in Mumbai to experience music the way I do when I travel, not just inside a venue, but out on the streets, in neighbourhoods, over shared meals, and in the small moments that set the mood of a city. When you travel to see an artist you love, you are also discovering a place for the first time. Its food, its sounds, its late nights, its quiet corners. That is what I love most about travel. You do not come back with just the memory of a show. You come back with a piece of the city. That is why I curated not only the Mumbai guidebook with Airbnb, to help people experience the city the way I do and create those kinds of memories for themselves, but also an original soundtrack called Musaafir that captures what it means to be a traveller in your own city.
What were the inputs from Airbnb like?
Airbnb really encouraged me to keep it personal and unfiltered. The brief was simple — write a love letter about your favourite city. Focus on real neighbourhoods, real conversations, and the people and spaces that make a city feel lived-in. They supported the idea that travel through music is about observation and immersion. Whether it is sitting with a plate of steaming momos at Kepchaki or spending time at Fluxus Chapel browsing through zines, they allowed my perspective to stay personal and unpolished.
Can you take us through the experiences you have curated?
I wanted the day to feel less like a tour and more like a vibe. We start with a tour of Bandra’s storied Ranwar Village that echoes the spirit and history of the neighbourhood. That’s followed by some food at one of my go-to spots, conversation and an intimate jam session where music becomes the connector between me and the guests. And then we carry that energy all the way to Lollapalooza India, experiencing live music together. If guests leave feeling they’ve seen Mumbai beyond the skyline, I’ve done my job as a host.
How has Bombay changed?
The city has grown louder and faster, but the emotional rhythm is still the same. You still find quiet corners if you look for them — old movie theatres, evening beach sunsets, cafes where ideas are exchanged freely. That balance between chaos and calm is what makes Mumbai such an important city for music-led travel.
What is the best thing about being a Mumbaikar?
You learn resilience, but you also learn curiosity. Mumbai teaches you to listen. To the people, to the city, to opportunity. Whether it is overhearing an actor rehearsing at Prithvi or listening to the quiet hustle of the city, inspiration is always close by.
How has the city shaped you and your dreams?
Mumbai taught me patience. Dreams here grow slowly through repetition. Nights in rehearsal rooms, mornings in classes, long walks thinking things through. The city gives you the space to stumble, learn, and come back sharper, and that rhythm shapes both my music and my work.
What are your all-time Mumbai favourites?
There are so many! Sunrise by the sea on Marine Drive, old cafes, late-night food runs at Amar Juice Centre, getting lost in Bandra lanes, and ending the day somewhere music-led, whether that is a jam session with friends or a record store. Mumbai reveals itself best when you are not rushing.
What new music are you working on now?
I’ve been experimenting and writing more, including Musaafir, which I wrote as an ode to Mumbai for this experience with Airbnb and which feels very personal to me. It’s about finding a sense of home wherever you go — an idea that really reflects where I am right now, both creatively and as a traveller.
Do you have a favourite Mumbai memory?
One of my favourite Mumbai memories is from Purple Haze, where I went for one of my first recording sessions. It sits right along the walk I have curated for this experience. When I stepped out after that session and a few photographers happened to be there, I was surprised to see my picture on the entertainment pages the next day. It felt like a quiet moment where I realised things were going to change.
Do you have a favourite Airbnb experience?
My favourite Airbnb experiences have always been the ones that made me feel like a temporary local rather than a visitor. Staying in neighbourhoods, waking up to everyday sounds, finding a cafe or a music spot nearby that wasn’t in any guidebook but recommended to me by my Airbnb host. I remember one instance in Bali on a trip with friends that will always be one of the most epic travel adventures for me. Those stays changed how I travel, and they’re a big reason why this experience and the Mumbai guidebook are built around living the city, not just seeing it.