Irani cafés on film

A select audience was shown a preview of the documentary film Café Irani Chai, made by Showmans Show moving pictures company on September 14, 2013 and presented by eminent physiotherapist Dr Ali Irani. The film is about the Iranis who settled in Bombay, Poona and Hyderabad from the provinces of Yazd and Kerman in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of them had walked all the way from Iran. In India they became known for their cafes and bakeries serving the famous bun maska and chai.

Dr Mansoor Showghi Yezdi: "a gift for my father"

The film, by Dr Mansoor Showghi Yezdi, was sponsored by the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman of Bombay and slated for official release on October 5, to coincide with the cultural day of the Indo-Iranian Friendship Society where Yezdi serves as vice president. It was produced by his daughter Dr Zeebah and edited by son Mohammed Hussain. Sheriar J. Irani was executive producer, mentions a press release sent to Parsiana by BASE Advertising Consultancy whose proprietor is Baji Homi Avari.
The 28-minute documentary "captures the unique culture and friendship that the hard-working, enterprising Irani emigrants created through roadside eateries,” reported The Times of India (TOI) on September 14, 2013. Tracing the roots of the Iranis in India, where the Zoroastrians arrived first, followed later by the Muslims, the documentary records jokes and anecdotes along with excellent cinematography. The filmmaker informed TOI that at one time Bombay had 800 Irani restaurants, bakeries and cafes, of which barely 150 survive today. The early immigrants worked as waiters, cooks, vendors, loaders and thrived in the business, often running cafeterias in cinema houses such as Plaza at Dadar, Surya at Parel and Citylight at Mahim, mentions TOI.
Today the picture is altogether different. "Unlike their forefathers, the young, educated Iranis detest the monotony of sitting at the cash counter,” Yezdi told TOI. Minoo Shroff, president of the Indo-Iranian Friendship Society told the newspaper that the boom in real estate prices and higher education of the younger generation had spelt doom for Irani cafes.
"This film is a gift for my father who was a humble chaiwalla and made it possible for me to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth. It is also a dedication to our Irani ancestors who created empires and changed the course of their families’ lives by dedicating theirs to the business,” Yezdi is quoted as saying in Parsi Times (PT) of September 14, 2013. The family owned Showmans Show produces corporate films and Yezdi has a YouTube channel featuring a host of films. Café Irani Chai "is a reflection of himself, a gratitude filled, passionate ode to life,” PT mentions.