A remarkable collection of 14 interconnected literary short stories by Murzban F. Shroff, first published in 2008. Shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, the book paints a vivid and compassionate portrait of Mumbai (Bombay), capturing the lives of ordinary people across the city's diverse social, economic, and cultural landscape.

Rather than following a single protagonist, the collection introduces readers to an unforgettable cast of characters: taxi drivers, laundry workers (dhobis), masseurs, carriage drivers, struggling artists, Bollywood hopefuls, wealthy socialites, prostitutes, servants, and street dwellers. Each story explores a different corner of Bombay, revealing the dreams, disappointments, prejudices, resilience, and humanity of its inhabitants.

Shroff portrays the city as a place of striking contrasts—where wealth exists beside poverty, tradition collides with modernity, and hope persists despite hardship. Stories such as "Dhobi Ghat," "Meter Down," and "The Maalishwalla" highlight issues including class divisions, urban survival, migration, loneliness, and moral compromise, while never losing sight of the dignity and compassion of ordinary people.

Written in elegant yet accessible prose, Breathless in Bombay is less about dramatic plots than about immersing readers in the emotional rhythm of Mumbai itself. The city becomes the central character, brought to life through richly observed details and deeply empathetic storytelling. The collection has been praised for its authenticity and has been recognized as one of the finest literary portrayals of Mumbai.