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 DO YOU REMEMBER THIS PLACE, SACHIN? The Light of Bharat Irani restaurant at Shivaji Park, Dadar where Sachin Tendulkar was interviewed as a 13-year-old for the very first time in his life in 1987. Pic: Vishal KelkarThe Light of Bharat Irani restaurant near Shivaji Park is not only known for its chai and bun maska (buttered soft bread). Theres a bit of cricketing history associated with it too!
Indias batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was interviewed at the eatery for the very first time in his life. It was way back in 1987, even before Sachin and his schoolmate Vinod Kambli had created the inter-school record of 664 in a Harris Shield.
Sunil Warrier, who was then working with MiD DAY, had heard a bit about a puny 13-year-old bat from Shardashram English Medium School, Dadar.
Tendulkar had a few 100s and even a double hundred to his name by then. At that age I thought that was fantastic and decided to have a little informal chat with the lad, revealed Warrier, who was born and brought up near the Shivaji Park area.
Chai & bun maska
And it was the typical Irani chai and bun maska that automatically decided the venue for post days play meeting Light of Bharat!
As for the chat, it was a memorable one, recalls Warrier who now works for the Times of India as Sports Editor, Mumbai.
Not because he was talking to Sachin Tendulkar a future cricketing stalwart but simply because of the sheer humility the youngster possessed. I would pose the questions in English and his brother Ajit (who was specifically called for by Sachin for the interview) would translate it in Marathi for Sachin, who would then answer in monosyllables, says Warrier.
 Sachin Tendulkar when he was 13 Perfect setting
However, the ambience of the Light of Bharat proved to be the perfect setting for the little talk. Quiet atmosphere, dim lights the typical Irani look and a soft-spoken Sachin Tendulkar.
In fact at one point I even remember pulling up the boy for not understanding my questions in English. Dont you study in an English medium school, I asked him, only to be answered by another one of his shy smiles.
Twenty minutes later it was over and Sachins first ever newspaper interview at the age of 13 would go down into the history books. Just like the stirring tea and bread served hot and fresh at the Light of Bharat!  MiD DAY was the first to tell you...
A clipping of Sunil Warriers interview with Sachin Tendulkar, who was featured in 1987 | 
