Viceroy coffee table book immortalises Versova

The development of a city is often a story of erasure. But what if the builder stopped for a moment, to observe and document the delicate, lived-in spirit of a neighbourhood before adding the next silhouette to its skyline? Viceroy Properties’ Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline captures Versova as a living cultural ecosystem shaped by its fishing communities, heritage homes, artists, filmmakers, cuisines and everyday rhythms that have defined the area for generations.

The book printed by Mumbai-based Pentagram printers, on 130 GSM, is an analogue undertaking in a digital age: a meticulously printed, heavy-stock cultural archive dedicated to one of Mumbai’s most evocative coastal enclaves. An act of cultural preservation — a last look at Versova as a Visava, or ‘place of rest,’ as the Koli, the shore’s first people, once knew it.

Conceptualised as an act of cultural documentation rather than a brand exercise, the book brings together photographers, filmmakers, writers and long-time residents to preserve stories that often remain undocumented, even as the city around them rapidly transforms. 

The content itself is a rich tapestry of Mumbai’s syncretic soul. It travels from the Koli legacy, who defied the British salt monopoly, to the enduring East Indian traditions of Bottle Masala and the distinct architecture of their Mangalore-tiled homes.

Speaking about the intent behind the book, Cyrus Mody, founder and CEO of Viceroy Properties, said, “As a real estate developer, Viceroy’s role is not just that of building structures. Our ambition is to become a part of each neighbourhood we operate in, and that means understanding and respecting what came before us.”

Mody added, “Versova is a living, breathing cultural ecosystem shaped by generations of artists, filmmakers, fishing communities and families with stories that often go undocumented. Before adding a new silhouette to Versova’s skyline, we felt it was important to understand and honour these chapters. This book is dedicated to them.” 

The visual language of the book is anchored by photographer Sunhil Sippy, whose images capture Versova beyond the postcard view. Sippy shared, “Versova reveals itself in moments. The early mornings at the Koliwada, the quiet lanes behind the beach, the homes that carry decades of memories. This book allowed us to slow down and observe Versova as it truly exists, intimate, layered and deeply human.”

TV presenter, chef, and author Maria Goretti, who has long shared a personal connection with Versova, reflected on the emotional resonance of the project. “Versova has always had a soul that quietly draws people in. Being part of this book felt like revisiting memories and sharing stories that deserve to be remembered. It is a love letter to a neighbourhood that has given so much to the city’s creative and cultural life.”

Filmmaker and owner of Filmalaya, Samrat Mukherji, ​remarked, “Versova has played a silent yet significant role in shaping Mumbai’s independent cinema and artistic communities. Collaborating with Viceroy Properties to document its stories is important because places like this influence creative thought in ways that are not always visible. This book captures that influence beautifully.”

Singer and member of India’s first boy band, Sherrin Varghese, highlighted the importance of preserving lived narratives. “While I am a resident of Madh, few people realise the deep historical relationship it shares with Versova, from shared communities and coastal traditions to even the same pin code. The book brings this overlooked connection to the forefront, offering a fuller understanding of Versova beyond its familiar image.”

The book was unveiled at an intimate gathering at Kino’s Cottage, Versova, a space deeply embedded in the neighbourhood’s cultural and cinematic history. The event brought together contributors, members of the local community, artists and creative voices who have shaped Versova over the years. 

(l-r) Noel D'Souza, Rajhans Tapke, Samrat Mukherjee, Bhagwan Bhanji, Maria Goretti, Sunhil Sippy, and Cyrus Mody

By choosing the permanence of print for this archive, Viceroy Properties, under its The Good Neighbour initiative, is engaging in a layered dialogue with the community it is now building within. The physical book — heavy, tangible, and meant to last — stands as a deliberate counterpoint to the rapid, transient nature of urban change, a testament that some stories are too important to be allowed to fade. It is an acknowledgement that in the battle between memory and modernity, a printed cultural archive might be the most potent form of preservation there is.

Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline stands as a cultural archive and a tribute to a neighbourhood at the intersection of memory and modernity. Through stories and visuals, the book seeks to preserve Versova’s identity at a time when urban change often outpaces remembrance.