Tucked away in a nook of Mumbai’s ever-buzzing panorama, actor Rajeev Khandelwal’s triplex house is a tranquil retreat. With birdsong within the morning, sprawling rooms, a terrace backyard, and even a speakeasy-style lounge, his residence effortlessly defies town’s cramped status.
And for those who’re fortunate sufficient to be invited in, just like the Brut India crew that acquired an unique tour, you’ll perceive why he calls it his “humble abode” with unmistakable pleasure.
“I’m very possessive about my little house,” Rajeev admits proper off the bat.
Story continues beneath this advert
As you enter the actor’s residence, the very first thing that strikes you is the house. “Most homes are very crowded in Mumbai. Right here, we’ve loads of house to ourselves,” he explains. Coming from a small city, he at all times craved room to breathe, and his residence displays that aspiration.
What was as soon as a non-negotiable dream has develop into a tangible actuality: “Once we acquired maintain of this property, we mentioned okay, let’s not compromise on the house half. Let’s hold it massive.”
And large it’s, every of the three ranges has its personal character, operate, and reminiscence.
Within the glossy, open kitchen, full with a flowery island sink, Rajeev shares a peek into his eating regimen. Breakfast normally contains sourdough, olives, and eggs (“That’s fundamental, not fancy,” he insists), whereas lunch is predominantly Indian and infrequently contains greens picked contemporary from their terrace kitchen backyard.
Story continues beneath this advert
“It’ll be some sprouted dal or some vegetable from the little kitchen backyard we’ve on the terrace.”
Whereas he has left behind his early years of surviving on samosas and Bombay sandwiches, he admits that these avenue staples have been as soon as a mainstay.
Shifting upstairs, the second flooring presents what Rajeev calls the “essential” house: the bed room. This serene retreat is bathed in pure gentle and surrounded by greenery, a uncommon discover in Mumbai.
“While you get up, you hear birds chirping exterior… it simply offers you a sense that you just’re not in Bombay. That is one thing I at all times needed,” the actor mentioned.
Story continues beneath this advert
A book-lined wall provides to the room’s character. As soon as a prop for showing “critical” throughout bachelor days, the gathering now genuinely displays his curiosity in literature. Even so, he jokes, “Let’s not speak about that wall, that’s a little bit of narcissism,” pointing to his self-importance wall that shows framed pictures and medals.
Two medals take pleasure of place on that wall. One represents a deeply private achievement: finishing the Bombay Half Marathon in underneath two hours post-ACL surgical procedure: “I needed to show to myself that I used to be advantageous. Not simply end the race, however end it effectively.”
He clocked in at 1 hour and 52 minutes. Later that very same yr, he tried the identical feat in Ladakh however completed simply over two hours, an accomplishment nonetheless worthy of applause.
Descending to the bottom degree looks like getting into a distinct universe. There’s a full-blown lounge with a bar, harking back to a speakeasy. “That is the celebration space,” he grins.
Story continues beneath this advert
And sitting handsomely in a single nook? A grand piano. “It was at all times a dream to personal a piano. However in Bombay, even for those who can personal one, you want the house. You’d need to sleep on it,” Rajeev joked,
Music has at all times been a part of his life, and the piano stands as an emblem of aspirations fulfilled, each inventive and spatial.
