Nirmal Lifestyle at Mulund Mumbai – Review
I have been wanting to write about Nirmal for quite some time now as it proclaims itself to be India’s biggest mall. Well, I have not seen too many malls in other cities but here in Mumbai Nirmal is certainly the biggest and the best. And the best part is that its in the distant suburb of Mulund! Not in snobbish South Mumbai. Unfortunately they did not allow me to take pictures inside but my camera did get a peek from the outside and that is what I am showing here. It shows barely a tenth of the mall.
I like Nirmal because it’s big and there is space to walk around. Lately however they have added a cricket pitch (fully netted) right in the centre of the mall and that takes away from this feeling of space.
Here one gets a decent choice of stores and brands. Think of a brand and you’ll find it here. From Shoppers Stop, Lee, Levis, Bata, Cotton World, Pepe, Provogue, Fab India, Allen Solly, Reebok, Adidas, Nike, Wills Lifestyle, W, Biba. There is also the American Dollar Store which sells foreign goods for Rs 99/- each ($2) and the 49/99 gift shop. A very large Crosswords store is housed here and so is the mutliplex PVR. This is a low-cost fancy multiplex – but where you save on ticket sales, you make up by paying for the eats. The good brands that are missing here are West Side and Lifestyle.
Shop-Rite, a South African supermarket chain, is one of the best things about Nirmal but then I am talking from a woman’s point of view. Its more than a one-stop kinda store. For one thing, it is the biggest shopping complex that I have seen in India. You get everything here, from the choicest of fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, snacks, electronic items, clothes etc plus there is a thriving take-away joint which sells everything from potato wadas and kachoris to Tandoori Chicken. Generally you find that if a supermarket sells good vegetables and fruits it lacks something else. But here even the bakery is amazingly good – and economical too. The pastries and pies are yummy and one can pick up a thick slice of Apple pie for Rs 30/-. Far cheaper that South Mumbai! There is an amazing variety of frozen food, including meat and fish. Shoprite has ‘market’ days on Wednesdays when prices of many items are slashed. The only down-side of this store is that it can get very crowded, specially on Wednesdays and Sundays. It is extremely popular and when I see people carting away sacks of potatoes and onions I can’t help wondering whether they are doing it for their personal use or for the hotel they run! The staff is mostly good. Friendly and helpful.
Many restaurants dot the place and the ones that are on the top of my mind are Bistro Grill, Cafe Coffee Day, Mocha, MacDonalds, Fine Dine, Pizza Hut, and a cheap Pizza place as well. More are coming up. There are also a lot of small eateries selling stuff cheap like dosas, roti rolls, ice-cream, popcorn, doughnuts and soft-drinks. And ofcourse, the ready-to-eat food at Shoprite. Overall, no dearth of food at Nirmal!
The decor of Nirmal is the only thing that jars. In a huge space in the centre of the mall they have a transluscent awning with hanging planets and astronauts. Gross. But then design is not the main thing. Its the utility value. And for many, this mall has become a place to hang out. There are trees with seats around the mall and one often finds families resting here, just chatting.
All in all, Nirmal is spacious, even if its not beautiful.
Related Reading: Review of R Mall at Mulund Mumbai
High security in Mumbai malls
Review of The Grill Thane
Review of Fine Dine Mulund
Review of Chinese Palace Tardeo
Review of Mainland China a Chinese restaurant in Pune
A wide angle view of India 
Nita – for the life of me I can’t imagine why you were not allowed to take pictures inside this Nirmal mall -what trade secrets might have you exposed? But of course, there may be proprieties operating in India about the appropriateness of photo shooting, which don’t necessarily prevai; here in Canada. Shop-Rite sounds as if it is a variation on the North American Wal-Mart stores. I like the idea of trees around the mall where families and friends can gather to sit and rest and chat. here in Canada, malls tend to be less friendly as gathering places – it’s in and out with goods purchased, less encouragement to linger, and great emphasis on parking lots for cars. And no matter how they are dressed up in the latest “design” they lack personality and attractiveness and are very generic in atmosphere. I tend to stay out of them!
By the way, I figured out how to update my “about” page. Thanks for thinking to put me on your blogroll – you are already on mine!:-)
Actually its a security concern. India is on the hit list of terrorists. Terrorists like to kill innocent people like in malls and buses and trains. The terrorists usually target crowded places. Terrorism attacks may not be as common as here like say in Israel, but they do happen. And malls do not want to take any chances. Not only is photography not allowed, we have to go through metal detectors and bags are checked for bombs etc. India actually happens to be surrrounded by unfriendly countries, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.
Thanks for the explanation. In the case of crowded places being potential targets for terrorists, so that there are metal detectors to be gone through before being admitted, surely this discourages some people from even shopping in the mall – so I was surprised to read what you had written about Wednesdays and Sundays being big crowd days. It boggles my mind to realize that this state of affairs is considered a norm for people to endure!
India has been a victim of terrorism for years now. It wasn’t so when I was a kid. Now we have become used to it. It doesn’t really discourage people as everywhere its like that. Also, Indians happen to be remarkably tolerant and patient.
Thanks for this review. There are a few things at Nirmal Lifestyles that make it a nice experience:
1. The Gujarathi thali at Rajdhani – you get unlimited serving of food including farsan :)and amazing Aam ras
2. Crossword with Cafe Bistro – the collection of books at this store far exceeds the one at Powai, Ghatkopar and Andheri. And, the cafe inside is a good place for tarts, pies and cheese cakes
3. A huge parking facility
Needless to add that PVR (definitely better than Huma Adlabs and R-Adlabs) in this part of town is a boon.
Its realy Beautiful place to visit U will see in next few year Nirmal Will be one of the tourist place in mumbai.
U know We have gateway of India on one side of mumbai and that is beautiful gate way same way mulund is gateway of mumbai and sure Nirmal will do it Beautiful
My best wishes to all those who are making Mumbai beautiful
Thanks
Nilesh
I dont think so afte what happened on the evening of 27th july 2007..the whole of nirmal lifestyle was flooded..and it was not rain water…it was MUCK..i mean it when i say MUCK..proper shit…mall management was at its worst…i know natural calamaties cant be avoided..but this was not the first time it happened…atleast the management could have thought of some way to improve after the loss suffered by the shop owners in the mall.they could just be a mute spectator to the disaster….
Nita its funny you did not notice the huge pile of construction material,waste material,garbage,stale water…etc..etc (just as you get out of CROSSWORD and head downstairs towards exit) It was such an ugly site,I was appalled,its been there for over a year now.People just look at the glass facades & cool interiors & get impressed.Devil is in details.They have the usual power cuts there,what are they doing to help this region from over-consuming power? This facility gobbles up huge amounts electricity,if they are making money out of this region they have a lot more responsibility to it than just showcasing it as one of a kind in India.What plans do they have to manage the crowds & traffic congestion there?Just another place for wannabes!!
@Ravi:
What you said is true Ravi but when I wrote this I felt this was the construction period and things would get cleaned up. But they haven’t got cleaned up and you are right it’s appalling.
The food at Rajdhani is just alright I mean for that price you dont get a better menu, who would want to eat aloo and baingan sabzis for Rs 225 per plate. ridiculous.
Dear Nita,
I am a resident in one of the flats in the residential complex behind the commercial complexes that you’ve aptly described.
Although the commercial complex is a great chill out place and we are only too happy to be staying in the midst of such wide variety of shops, the pleasure ends there. One cannot good mouth the residential complex. It has been 2 year since the possession was granted and the condition of the flat is pitiable. There is dampness on all walls and the paint in the rooms is peeling off.
I am waiting for the builder to respond.
i like nirmal ….coz… thre is Mcdonalds !! & its just 1/2 km.. 4rom my home… so any time m hungry… i m thre !! and 4 timepass i go to orama to play games…………& last its nice 4 dating haa……….. no one disturbs when ur with ur gf/bf……coz of wide space. as it has got 2006 mall of the year award i think so…….?
always intresting to read about the place I have already visited – my double thanks, Nita! 😉
You are welcome Axinia. By the way I will be using those maps you sent to me tomorrow. I wrote to the person there and got the permission. All thanks to you!! 🙂 – Nita.
Hi Nita,
I am somebody from Nirmal Lifestyle who can give your recommendations to mall management,
so please share all bad experiences with the mall,
good exp. as well
what you dislike about the mall?
any facilities or brands or category of products u wished to see here
well almost anything
to make this mal even better
so, every body plz share ur views
Thank You.
What all of u guys are praising about Nirmal is so very true, that is the best hangout for us and we dont even go to the other malls at all. PVR is the best, apart from that u get almost everything there from shopping to food everything. But here i would like to highlight how ladies toilets are in a bad shape and nobody bothers to complain. Few doors cant be locked, some cielings are open, window panes are broken, even the handle of taps is not there, there are no seats on the commod, few taps in the washbasin work and there are no lights in the toilet. Toilet on the first floor is forever closed. I climb up to the second floor to go to the washroom.But people are not bothered, i and my husband have complained twice in the office but it is of no use. So people please whoever goes to the mall please do bother to complain about the pathetic condition of toilets. Office is on first floor above spykar jeans.
Gauri
Its cool place to hang out.. I go there with my friends. But its far from navi mumbai. And now it is maintained too. I like the PVR Cinemas.
I purchased fish yesterday the 6th.of aug from your frozen section, and it was stinking with chemicals…very nauseating till now.
The place was dirty and dead flies were observed in that area.
I acome all the way from Andheri and was greatly disappointed.Kindly connect with me to sort this out on 9821615700.
Does not augur well for you as a service provider.
Godfrey.
Mr Godfrey, I am a writer and reviewer. I don’t freeze fish for a living. 🙂 – Nita.
thank nita for given me this infORMATION
I STAY IN NIRMAL LIFESTYLE RESIDENCE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THE FLAT QUALITY IS VERY BAD. WITHIN ONE YEAR THERE WAS SEEPAGE IN OUR FLAT. EVEN IN THE SHOPPING MALL DURING MONSOON WATER LOGGING TAKES PLACE. THERE IS NO SWIMMING POOL IN OUR COMPLEX.
Some of the machines do not work here. And there is no body to help you out with them as the staff here is impolite and rude.
Go to dreams mall, R Mall or R City Mall instead
Nita,
Happened to see your blog while searching for supermarkets in and around Bhandup West. Am a new comer to Mumbai, being recently transferred from Hyderbad to Mumbai. Went to the supermarket at Nirma Life Style viz. Food Rite. My first impression is that supermakets in Mumbai ( have seen Apna Bazar, Food Rite, D-Mart and a few others in the suburbs) are at least two decades behind those in Hyderbad as far as convenience and infrastructure is concerned. Lets talk about Food Rite since the blog is mainly about it. Here’s my two dimes on it:
1. The facility is badly constructed with parking lot in one corner and the supermarket at the other. In the absence of a ramp, one has to haul the grocery cart over uneven surfaces over a large distance. The carts rattle a lot and in the process there is big din with people staring at whats going on.
2. Exiting the facility requires MENSA IQ what with no exit signs to show the exit. Also there are no security guards to guide you out.
3. For non-packaged items, the weighing machines are quite inconveniently located and often has a big queue before each weighing center.
4. As far as meat and poultry is concerned the products stored are not very fresh, especially the fish. Also the choices available are quite limited.
5. The store itself especially near the fruits and vegetables section is not very cleanly maintained with onion peels and cauliflower leaves strewn all around.
6. I saw only 4 cash counters working while the others were closed. Each of the working cash counters had a queue of 3-4 customers and therefore I had to wit for a good 20 min. before my turn came.
After one has experienced supermarkets like Hypercity, SPAR, Brand Factory, Spencers, Fab India etc. in Hyderabad I think that Mumbaikars are quite satisfied with the rudimentary facilities offered by supermarkets here in Mumbai. Maybe its too early for me to comment but my first take on the supermarket scene in Mubai is best described in one word ” primitive”. Is that the difference between the old economy prevailing in dying cities like Mumbai as compare to the new economy in cities like Bangalore, Gurgaon, Hyderbad, etc….maybe so.
Ajith, I cannot disagree with you. Hyderabad is much better. However I am not sure of the reasons why this is so in Mumbai. – Nita
I am a investor in real estate and have a plan to place some investments in Mulund area with a project of NIRMAL LIFESTYLES LTD, however I have learnt from some of my investor friends that a Criminal Case has been registered against NIRMAL LIFESTYLES LTD with the Mulund Police Station and the Directors are expected to be arrested shortly
I request you to kindly let me know the repercussions of such arrest on property prices of their projects
Manish
Hi Manan and all.
Thanks for your comments. I too wish to buy a flat in Nirmal Lifestyle residential complex. What are the rates going on? How is construction quality and other amenities? what about this criminal case mentioned by Manan? is it safe and wise to buy property in this complex? what are the rates and availability nearby areas?
hi!
one thing the mall should do is pls allow the coustomer to settle , have a look at the product , all sales guys, and girls are like street asking sir ,sir would u like this ,etc cheap it looks.no standard. specially in shoppers shop in nirmal. behave.
thanks.regards.
I agree. Recently at Hypercity in Thane I was constantly besieged by sales people at every aisle! Could not shop in peace. Will not visit Hypercity again for a long time now. – Nita.
Hi guys
please share your experience about Nirmal Residential Complex, current rates going on there, availability of flats etc.
its great:
Hi,
Just few days back, i went to food rite ( food market at Nirmal Lifestyle Mall, at Mulund). It was 9.45 pm . As i believe , it was closing time at Nirmal lifestyle. Since all of us were hungry, we ordered few things at the counter inside the food rite. We bought it and we were having our food. But to my surprise, there were many things left with them as “unsold” The person at the counter was closing things and was weighing it. And after weighing all the left over things, immedaitely, every thing was thrown in one BIG garbage bag. IT WAS TOTALLY WASTED. I was shocked. So much of food was just thrown in garbage. I was questioning to my self, that in country like India, where 1000 ‘s of people are dying because of hunger, was not there any other use, of this LEFT OVER FOOD. WHY, there is no value for FOOD. WHY CANT there be some better use of this FOOD ??? Nirmal LIfestyle, such big mall, with such a bad management at its food chains.?? Further, there was one drining water tab, which is always leakinggggg ?? such a great wastage of drinking water at Mall ?
I wish, this comments can reach the right people. And somebody really take action for some better use of this LEFT OVER food instead of throwing them in dustbins.
Hmm