Babubhai Pan Shop

We are located right near the Balewadi Stadium area in Dharavi. It’s a lively spot, especially when there’s something going on at the stadium. Babubhai Pan Shop is just a small setup, nothing too grand. We’ve got our regulars who come by for a chat and their daily fix. The air around here is always thick with the sounds of the city and the people walking to the matches. We spend our day preparing the leaves, smearing the paste, and keeping the tobacco tins organized. It’s a lot of repetitive movement, but you get used to it after a few years. When the big games are on, the crowd gets huge and we barely have time to breathe or even get a glass of water. My hands usually have stains from the ingredients, which doesn't really wash off easily no matter how much soap I use. We don't have a big menu or anything, just the standard types of pan that people like. The wooden counter is worn down and smooth from years of use. It’s a simple business. We open up early and stay till the last person leaves the area. Dharavi is a place that never really sleeps, and we’re just a small part of that. We don't do any advertising; people just know we are here by the stadium. It’s tough work standing all day in the heat, but it’s what we know. We just try to do an honest job every day and keep the counter clean.