Dougie Wallace
Premier Padmini taxis, first introduced to the streets of Mumbai in the 1960s, have now all but disappeared following the introduction of laws to reduce pollution in the city. Locally known as ‘Kaali-Peeli’, there were once more than 60,000 of these iconic black and yellow cabs struggling through the chaos of Mumbai’s streets.
Over a four-year period, Dougie Wallace documented these elaborate Bollywood disco bars on wheels. The crowded streets of Mumbai and the assortment of passengers provide a dynamic and intense backdrop, as do the cabs themselves. Many are pimped out with large speakers in the boot that blast out Bollywood hits, or are colorfully decorated inside with posters of Bollywood actresses, upholstered in loud hypnotic patterns, or feature Hindu gods and goddess on the dashboard.
