Highlights
- Due to its proximity to Sahitya Sangh Mandir Natyagruha, the Restaurant and Beer Bar was a popular eating spot among celebrities such as late Bollywood star Rajesh Khanna, late Pradip Patwardhan, late Shivsena leader and MLA Pramod Navalkar.
- The restaurant co-owner, Farzin Ardeshir Adel, has expressed his concerns about BMC’s decision – which is set to put the establishment’s future in limbo. Her husband’s grandfather started it.
- This Irani restaurant got an excellent reputation because of its mouth-watering delicacies
Mumbai is yet again set to lose a part of a landmark that added value to its long-lived heritage. The 100-year-old Sun-Shine Irani restaurant in Thakurdwar in South Mumbai will end its operations on Sunday.
This step was taken after the eatery received a notice from BMC Central asking it to vacate the place. The municipal body will demolish the decrepit 120-year-old HM Petit Widows’ Home building – home to the Irani hotel – after November 30. The decision was taken because the building is old and in dilapidated condition.
Rajesh Khanna was a frequent visitor
Due to its proximity to Sahitya Sangh Mandir Natyagruha, the Restaurant and Beer Bar was a popular eating spot among celebrities such as late Bollywood star Rajesh Khanna, late Pradip Patwardhan, late Shivsena leader and MLA Pramod Navalkar.
Why Irani restaurant was famous
This Irani restaurant got an excellent reputation because of its mouth-watering delicacies, including kheema pav, bun maska and khari biscuits. It had a set-up that ensured that all items could be baked in-house.
The age-old has an old traditional furnace and a little well on its premises– which is symbolic of its rich past.
Building occupants lost legal battle
Amol Meshram, designated ward officer told TOI that the HM Petit building is a C1 category dilapidated structure which is extremely dangerous for habitation.
“The occupants contested our decision in the city civil court where they lost the case, then in the Bombay high court where again they lost, and finally in the Supreme Court whose judgment also went in our favour,” he said.
Hotel owner and staff distressed
The restaurant co-owner, Farzin Ardeshir Adel, has expressed his concerns about BMC’s decision – which is set to put the establishment’s future in limbo. Her husband’s grandfather started it.
“We have been paying rent regularly. And the businesses we run here are our only source of income,” Farzin said.
Ashok Shetty, the 32-year-old manager at the restaurant, is distressed by the development.
“….My 20-25 workers and I will be unemployed next week. We have been given no alternate space. In fact the ground floor is quite stable, it is only the upper part of the structure that has developed cracks owing to growth of vegetation. Was it our job to repair the building as tenants, or that of the trust that owns the building?” he said.
