Komal Ruparalia

Our place is tucked away in the Kapadia Compound in Kandivali West. If you know the 41314 area, you know it’s a lot of small businesses and workshops all crammed together. It’s not the easiest place to navigate if it’s your first time, but we’ve been here long enough that we know every corner and shortcut. Komal Ruparalia is just one of the many names you’ll see painted on the doors around here. It’s loud, there’s usually some truck loading or unloading nearby, and the air smells like old machinery and hard work. We don’t have a big reception or anyone to greet you with a smile and a coffee. Usually, we’re just busy in the back. The walls could probably use a fresh coat of paint, but that’s not really a priority for us right now. We focus on the tasks at hand and getting things out the door. Kandivali has changed, getting more crowded every year, but this compound stays pretty much the same. It’s a bit gritty, but it works for us. We like the grit. It reminds us that we’re actually making things happen. Sometimes the power goes out or the rain makes the alleyways a mess, but we just deal with it. It’s just how life is in this part of Mumbai. We aren’t trying to be something we’re not. Just a local outfit trying to get through the daily list of chores and projects.