Bandra ([bæːɳɖɾa]) also known as Vandre ([ʋaːn̪d̪ɾe]) is an upscale coastal suburb located in Mumbai (Bombay), part of the Konkan division in Maharashtra, India. The area is located to the immediate north of the River Mithi, which separates Bandra from the Mumbai City district. It is the third-largest commercial hub in Maharashtra, after Bombay city district and Poona (Pune), primarily aided by the Bandra-Kurla Complex.[citation needed] Originally,[when?] Bandra was a larger area, whence the present day Khar neighbourhood was also a part of it. Almost a century ago,[specify] it was considered too large a suburb to be served by one railway station. As a result, the Khar Road railway station was established in 1924 to give the northern part of Bandra closer access to the Western Railway line. This eventually led to Khar being considered a separate suburb. However, to this day, the two adjoined suburbs make up one homogeneous zone. A number of prominent residents of Bandra are celebrities or VIPs who are active in Bollywood cinema, media, cricket and politics.
