An interview with Liron Shalit, our filmmaker-in-residence. He is an award-winning documentary filmmaker focused on social issues, human rights, and ethical urbanism. Recently, the urbz office hosted a screening of his film Living Euljiro that traces the neglected losses of those living within a centuries-old district of maze-like alleys at the heart of Seoul (Synopsis). We speak to him about his craft, his lessons from Euljiro, and his time here in Dharavi.
Living Euljiro is a film directed by Liron Shalit. Liron has been creating award-winning short documentaries since 2017, exploring themes such as social issues, human rights, disability, natural disasters, and urban life. Since relocating to Seoul in 2022, he has focused on documenting disappearing spaces and communities, capturing the distinctive culture of Euljiro and the stories of the people who live and work there.
In a lane off the bustling 90 Feet Road in Dharavi, there is a tiny studio dedicated to all types of screen printing. Laxmi and Mani are an unlikely duo that expertly handle the screenprinting needs of customers across the city. They talk to us about a lifetime spent in the industry.
In Mumbai, autorickshaws are more than everyday transport; they’re personalised spaces on wheels. Drivers express parts of their identities through small interior details. From a tiny shop in Dharavi, Nanu Woodwallah designs and stitches these custom interiors. Carrying forward his father’s craft, he transforms standard rickshaws into distinctive, character-filled environments.
As the title suggests, Life Got Better with Coconuts for Kausar Shaikh. He came to Mumbai 15 years ago, leaving his family farm in Jharkhand, because he was not keen on agriculture and was seeking a different path. Seeing other migrants from his region successfully start small businesses gave him the confidence to leave years of unstable work in Mumbai behind and become a thriving coconut vendor in Dharavi.
On a rainy afternoon, we visited Irfan’s workshop, somehow quieter than the surroundings. We assisted and watched him while he worked, and he narrated his story to us.
The Handstorm workshop in Dharavi, with the Engineers for Social Impact from NYU, Abu Dhabi took place for the second time this year in October, 2025. We walked through the lanes of Dharavi Koliwada, observing Water in the diverse and unexpected paths that it took to and from people’s homes. Students diligently followed the water, listening carefully to the stories it had to tell.
Shahid Sheikh’s dyeing unit in Dharavi may be small, but it’s full of colour, care, and quiet skill. His story is one of patience, pride, and the kind of work that speaks for itself.
On May 9 - 10 urbz brought together collectives and institutions in Cali, Colombia. This is part of a 6 months project to develop a system to promote locally driven initiatives.
As part of the ABCD project, street lighting emerged as an urgent need for the residents of Dharavi Koliwada. A need that was addressed through a year-long collaboration between urbz, the Dharavi Koli Jamat, local electricians and residents. Read about how the process unfolded and what comes next.