Farah, Nawazuddin at Ritesh Batra’s workshop in Merwan Cafe -

As a part of his initiative to revive the Irani Cafes in Mumbai, Ritesh Batra’s production company Poetic License is doing a series of events at different Irani Cafes across the city. The first three sessions were at Koolar Cafe,Kyani cafe and Excelsior cafe.
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Says Nawazuddin Siddiqui, “In 1920′s there were many Irani cafes now there are only about 20-25 left. It is important to revive these cafes as they are Mumbai’s identity. If we don’t save them, the lovely environment of these cafes will die out. This initiative should surely help in reviving these cafes.”

Mr.Bomi Irani (Merwan cafe owner) was thrilled about the workshop, “Irani cafes are dwindling because no one wants to come here anymore. The children of cafe owners do not want to pursue this profession as they want to go abroad to get white collar jobs. This is the real situation which is sad. My niece Farah likes coming to my cafe off and on and loves our mawa cakes. I am positive that her coming forward for this new initiative will definitely make a difference to review Irani cafes”

- Read the full article at: http://www.filmytown.com/farah-nawazuddin-merwan-cafe/…

Ritesh Batra moderates an interactive session with Radhika Apte and Sharat Kataria

Mumbai, March 13, 2015: 

Ritesh Batra's Poetic License, in its initiative to revive Irani Cafe's in Mumbai, held an interactive chat session with Sharat Katariya (the director of Dum Laga Ke Haisha) and Radhika Apte ( (the actress of Badlapur and Hunterrr)at theiconic Irani cafe, Kyani's & Co on March 13th. 

Radhika Apte, Sharat Kataria and Ritesh Batra

Sharat and Radhika talked about their own process of directing and acting, respectively. Sharat spoke about working with actors and Radhika about getting in the skin of a character. Ritesh Batra moderated the session about the process of working on a film.

The one hour long session was held from 10-11 am at the Irani cafe and was attended by film enthusisats and aspiring filmmakers.

When an aspiring actor asked Radhika about auditioning she said, "I wouldn't have got Badlapur if I had to audition. I am terrible in auditions". Sharat also expressed a similar opinion about being tested for his writing skills, "If someone asks me to give sample of my wiring to test my skills, I just cant write."