In the glamorous world of Mumbai, inspiring underdog stories always capture public imagination. The journey of Suraj Lama, who transitioned from driving cars for top Bollywood celebrities to building a thriving street-food empire, became a viral talking point. However, this inspirational business journey has hit a major roadblock as food safety authorities have taken strict action against his popular brand.
Originally hailing from Mirik village in Darjeeling, Suraj arrived in Mumbai at just 14 years of age. After doing odd jobs for years, he became a celebrity driver, working for nearly 25 years with prominent actors like Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, and production houses like Dharma Productions. Following an incident that deeply affected him, he decided to quit driving in 2017 and started selling momos on a bicycle. Supported by his wife, who previously worked as a cook for a famous singer, Suraj took a massive risk that eventually paid off as his momos gained immense popularity across the western suburbs of the city.
From Bicycle Cart to 16,000 Momos Daily
What started as a modest venture on a bicycle soon transformed into multiple outlets across Versova, Malad, and Kandivali. With recipes rooted in home-style cooking without artificial colors or preservatives, Suraj's momos even won appreciation from Sonakshi Sinha and her family. At its peak, his central kitchen employed around 25 people and produced up to 16,000 momos daily, making his brand a household name among Mumbai's street-food lovers.
Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down on Outlets
Despite its stellar rise, the brand has now faced serious regulatory action. During festive season inspections, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the license of the primary outlet of Suraj Lama Momos in Andheri West. According to authorities, inspections revealed severe lapses in food handling, storage practices, sanitation, and hygiene standards, triggering immediate regulatory intervention under food safety guidelines.
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