Shaan Se Rahoon Sada Mujhpe Log Hon Fida, Haseenayein Bhi Dil Hon Khoti, Dil Ka Ye Kamal Khile Sone Ka Mahal Mile, Barasne Lage Heerein Moti… Do you remember how Shah Rukh Khan danced his way in front of Mannat in his 1997 film, Yes Boss? Little did he know that one day he will fulfil his 'bas itna sa khwaab' and own his dream home, Mannat – Lands End. Shah Rukh is a self-made man, who came to Mumbai with a dream and standing on Marine Drive, looking across the sea at the setting sun had said, “I’ll rule this city one day.” And you know what they say, “Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho to poori kayanat usey tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai”!
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Hence, the universe conspired, Shah Rukh Khan, made his way to the top and became the Baadshah of Bollywood. King Khan now not only rules the city, but the entire world! For every person who visits Mumbai, Mannat is a must-go-to place for them and everyone goes there with a hope to catch a glimpse of the superstar. While only clicking pictures at the gate of Mannat get us excited, it also makes us wonder how Khan's family home looks like from the inside.
Located on Bandstand, Shah Rukh Khan had bought the heritage bungalow from Bai Khorshed Bhanu Sanjana Trust in 2001. Since then, his mansion has been turned into a six-storeyed building and it overlooks the Arabian Sea. For the Vogue India’s Casa Vogue edition, Gauri Khan, who is more than just a star wife now and is a high-end interior designer, gives a never-seen-before peek inside her home, Mannat. Before taking you on a tour to the inside corners of Mannat, let us tell what Shah Rukh believes about his beautiful home. Revealing what ‘beautiful homes’ are made of, Shah Rukh posted a picture of Gauri and wrote, “Beautiful homes are made by beautiful home makers. Bas!”
Couldn’t agree more, right? Gauri Khan doesn’t like flowers, so instead of floral arrangements and artificial plants, potted ferns abound and scattered around tables everywhere in Mannat. Gauri said, “Plants give out positive energy. They are good oxygen.” As per Vogue, her passion for making a house a home seemed obvious when she pointed to the vertical gardens that she has been working on in the lawns outside her sea-facing mansion. For Gauri, Mannat came to her as a blank canvas that had let her grow and develop as an interior designer.
Gauri Khan along with architect-designer Kaif Faquih laboured over the mansion for nearly a decade and according to the star wife, as their family grew and renovations and redesigns were made to suit the changing needs, it also shaped her design aesthetic. Though the terrace of the house is her “happiest place”, the most endearing aspect of Mannat is its façade. Gauri said, “I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world”, about the pristine white, glamorous and imposing massive classical pillars that are carefully angled into the selfies of those hundreds of fans who throng the place every day.
The 1920s-era, Grade III heritage structure that features a neo-classical columned facade of the former Viennese villa has now been lovingly refurbished with a six-storey annexe, multiple bedrooms, terrace, garden, a system of elevators, personal quarters and expansive entertainment spaces. Much like the Khan clan, who scale the globe but come home to nest in their private corner, Mannat also has a nomadic soul with influences from around the world—Italian architecture, neo-classical elements, objects d’art and an indulgent mix of decades and styles. (Also Read: Akshay And Twinkle's Luxurious Seaside Home Overlooks Arabian Sea And Even Has Pond In Living Room)
Gauri Khan explained, “I don’t like minimalist spaces. I love things that are warm, eclectic, personal and collectable. My home has been built gradually over years of collecting stuff that I feel passionately about. It’s essential to make something your own.” Speaking of the gatherings at Mannat, Gauri remarked, “We have a small set of friends who drop in casually. We don’t entertain much.”
With Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s older children, Aryan Khan and Suhana Khan studying in Los Angeles and New York respectively, Mannat is quieter now. But for Gauri, it always echoes with their laughter spilling from the many memories of them cycling around and running with their dogs in the garden. Gauri shared, “We would all play a game of dog-and-the-bone together.” And with AbRam Khan’s baby talk and his non-stop rides on his toy-scooter and electric cars, Mannat is revived with energy.
Gauri Khan remarked, “This is a house with no rules. I have never had any decrees for homework or mealtimes. I was always home when my kids came back from school. It is important for me to just be there for them.” She continued, “Everyone in my family has contributed towards making this space their own.” Suhana’s love for ballet influences the selection of photographs and art in her space. Until recently, the Breaking Bad themed wallpaper adorned Aryan’s and AbRam has a favourite pillow that never leaves his side.
For Gauri Khan, as she loves the over-scaled silhouettes - a jade Ganpati, a pair of four-foot-tall black vases from Paris, a life-sized marble Radha-Krishna sculpture and a huge canvas of Subhash Awchat’s reclining clown, giving Mannat her touch. And for King Khan himself, as he can never have enough of the movies, the entrance to their home theatre is lined with tall vintage posters of Sholay, Mughal-E-Azam and Ram Aur Shyam, as well as Charlie Chaplin’s walking stick-framed lovingly in place. Mannat has a spacious personal auditorium with 42 burgundy leather chairs and the walls are clad in plush mahogany velvet. (Also Read: Inside Pictures Of Mukesh Ambani And Nita Ambani's Luxurious 2 Billion Dollar Home, Antilia)
How did you like the ‘Mannat unseen’ edition by the homemaker, Gauri Khan herself? Let us know!
