Suraj Lama’s journey from working as a celebrity driver to building a popular momo business in Mumbai is an unusual story of ambition, risk and reinvention. Lama spent around 25 years working as a driver and had associations with Bollywood personalities including Sonakshi Sinha and Shahid Kapoor.
However, in 2017, he decided to leave the profession and start selling momos. His wife Vijayata also joined him in the venture after leaving her job as a cook at the household of late singer KK.
The business gradually grew from a small cycle-based operation into a larger momo brand with multiple outlets. However, the journey has now hit a major roadblock after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended the licence of its Andheri West outlet.
1. Suraj Lama Worked as a Celebrity Driver for 25 Years
Suraj Lama moved to Mumbai from Mirik in Darjeeling when he was just 14 years old in search of work. After doing several small jobs, he eventually entered the world of celebrity driving.
Over the course of around 25 years, Lama worked with several members of the film industry, including Sonakshi Sinha and Shahid Kapoor. He also reportedly drove for production houses such as Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
Despite his long association with the industry, Lama eventually began thinking about changing his career. The increasing popularity of app-based taxi services such as Ola and Uber was one factor behind his decision.
He also recalled experiences from his time as a driver that made him feel he was not always treated as an equal despite his dedication to his work. These experiences eventually contributed to his decision to explore something of his own.
2. His Wife Left Her Job as KK’s Cook
Lama’s decision to enter the food business was not a solo journey. His wife Vijayata became an important part of the venture.
Before joining her husband, Vijayata reportedly worked as a cook at the home of late singer KK. She eventually left that job to help Suraj build the momo business.
The couple took a considerable financial risk. Lama quit driving, sold his motorcycle and bought a bicycle to start selling momos around Andheri West.
At the time, momos were not as widely available in Mumbai as they were in parts of North India. That gave the couple an opportunity to build a customer base.
Suraj began selling both vegetarian and non-vegetarian momos from his bicycle. As demand increased, he eventually opened a roadside outlet in Versova.
3. From a Bicycle Stall to Thousands of Momos a Day
What started as a small street business gradually became a much bigger operation.
Suraj has credited his mother’s traditional recipe for the distinctive taste of his momos. He had also revealed in an earlier interview that he did not use preservatives or artificial colouring in his recipe.
The business expanded to areas including Malad and Kandivali. By 2024, the couple reportedly had a central kitchen in Mumbai with around 25 employees, producing approximately 16,000 momos every day for their outlets and franchise operations.
Suraj also remained cautious about expanding too quickly. He had said that maintaining quality was more important than simply opening outlets in new cities.
FDA Action Puts Business in Trouble
Despite the growth of the brand, Suraj Lama Momos has now faced regulatory action.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, led by commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, suspended the licence of the original Andheri West outlet along with seven other eateries during a festival-season food-safety enforcement drive.
According to the FDA, inspectors found shortcomings related to food handling and storage, sanitation, cleanliness and safeguards intended to prevent contamination. The authority considered the violations serious enough to warrant immediate action under applicable food-safety regulations.
The action comes as a major setback for a business that had grown from a bicycle-based momo stall into a recognised Mumbai brand.
A Success Story Facing a Difficult Chapter
Suraj Lama’s story remains notable because of the dramatic career change behind it. After spending decades driving for people from the film industry, he chose to build something of his own with his wife.
The couple turned a risky decision into a growing food business, but the latest FDA action shows that commercial success also comes with the responsibility of meeting strict food-safety requirements.
For now, the suspension marks a difficult chapter for Suraj Lama Momos. Whether the business returns after addressing the reported violations will be closely watched by its customers and supporters.
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