The bustling city of Mumbai received a remarkable addition as Andheri West, one of the city’s prime locales, unveiled a striking sculpture at one of its busiest railway stations. Conceptualised by esteemed MLA Ameet Satam hailing from the Andheri West Constituency, and brought to life by renowned artist, social worker, and author Rouble Nagi, the #Andheri(W) sculpture symbolises the dynamic development of this vibrant neighbourhood over the past decade. In a gesture highlighting the convergence of art, community, and cinema, actor Tiger Shroff unveiled the #Andheri(W) sculpture in presence of artist Rouble Nagi, MLA Ameet Satam, noted film producer Anand Pandit, and ace filmmaker Ashoke Pandit.
The sculpture, strategically positioned at the entrance of the station, will serve as a testament to the growth and cultural richness of Andheri West. Adorned with intricate imagery depicting iconic landmarks from the Andheri West area such as Gilbert Hill, the ISKCON Temple, Juhu Beach, and the beloved ‘I<3Mumbai’ selfie point, the sculpture encapsulates the essence of Andheri West’s charm and diversity.
An extremely elated Tiger Shroff, delighted to see a huge crowd cheering him outside the Andheri West railway station, expressed, “I am indeed happy and honoured that I have been invited to inaugurate this beautiful sculpture #Andheri(W). I love Mumbai and I also love Andheri since I come here often for my shootings and rehearsals. I am very, very happy to be here today.”
Rouble Nagi, who took roughly two months to finish making the sculpture, expressed her excitement, stating, “Crafting this sculpture has been a labour of love. It’s an honour to visually narrate the story of Andheri West, a lively suburb with an intense level of energy.” She further added, “Public art has always been about collaboration, between citizens, leaders, and artists. I am happy to create this sculpture – a selfie point for Andheri West, depicting the various spots to visit in the area. I believe the ‘hashtag’ movement brings people closer and educates them about public art.”
For the uninitiated, Rouble Nagi stands as an award-winning, internationally acclaimed artist with over 800 murals to her credit. Rouble is among the trailblazers who initiated Mumbai’s beautification through art installations across the city. Among her other notable works, she has earlier crafted numerous sculptures in Maharashtra, including #Bandra #Hajiali, #Thane, #Chembur, #Alibag, #Juhubeach, #Saibaba, I <3 Mumbai, among others.
Added Ameet Satam, “This sculpture is not just a work of art; it’s a celebration of Andheri West’s evolution and spirit. Mumbai, being an international city, has a very low open space ratio compared to other international cities, making it important to conserve and develop open spaces in the city. Also, the aesthetic appearance of the city is crucial in making it vibrant, which is why we have created the Golden Lotus, Vertical Butterfly Garden, I <3 Mumbai selfie point, and #Juhubeach. We are now adding the #Andheri(W) sculpture, which symbolises the development undertaken in Andheri West over the last 10 years.”
