You know Hauz Khas now as Delhi's go-to nightlife spot- fancy bars, loud music, endless selfies, and those never-ending traffic jams. But back in the 90s, HKV was a whole different vibe.

It was quiet, artsy, and full of character. In 1987, fashion designer Bina Ramani opened her boutique Once Upon a Time here, calling it "a bit of Goa in Delhi."

The peaceful village, with its old monuments and lakeside views, quickly became a magnet for creative minds like Tarun Tahiliani, who loved how ancient India met modern style.

Soon, more designers like Kavita Bhartia and Karuna Goenka joined in, turning HKV into Delhi's coolest fashion district. It had a boho soul and a village heart.

Now? HKV is packed, noisy, and struggling with poor infrastructure. Other villages like Shahpur Jat and Lado Sarai tried the same boutique-café formula. Meanwhile, places like Munirka and Ber Sarai became affordable student zones near top colleges.

Different villages, different journeys but today, they all share broken roads, traffic troubles, and a longing for better planning.