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 house effortlessly defies the town’s cramped popularity.
And for those who’re fortunate sufficient to be invited in, just like the Brut India crew that received an unique tour, you’ll perceive why he calls it his “humble abode” with unmistakable pleasure.
“I’m very possessive about my little area,” Rajeev admits proper off the bat.
As you enter the actor’s house, the very first thing that strikes you is the area. “Most homes are very crowded in Mumbai. Right here, we now have loads of area to ourselves,” he explains. Coming from a small city, he at all times craved room to breathe, and his house displays that aspiration.
What was as soon as a non-negotiable dream has change into a tangible actuality: “After we received maintain of this property, we stated okay, let’s not compromise on the area half. Let’s preserve it huge.”
And massive it’s, every of the three ranges has its personal persona, operate, and reminiscence.
Within the smooth, open kitchen, full with a elaborate island sink, Rajeev shares a peek into his food regimen. Breakfast often contains sourdough, olives, and eggs (“That’s primary, not fancy,” he insists), whereas lunch is predominantly Indian and sometimes contains greens picked contemporary from their terrace kitchen backyard.
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“It’ll be some sprouted dal or some vegetable from the little kitchen backyard we now have 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.
Transferring upstairs, the second flooring gives what Rajeev calls the “necessary” area: the bed room. This serene retreat is bathed in pure gentle and surrounded by greenery, a uncommon discover in Mumbai.
“Whenever you get up, you hear birds chirping outdoors… it simply offers you a sense that you just’re not in Bombay. That is one thing I at all times needed,” the actor stated.
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A book-lined wall provides to the room’s persona. As soon as a prop for showing “severe” throughout bachelor days, the gathering now genuinely displays his curiosity in literature. Even so, he jokes, “Let’s not discuss that wall, that’s a little bit of narcissism,” pointing to his vainness wall that shows framed photographs and medals.
Two medals take pleasure of place on that wall. One represents a deeply private achievement: finishing the Bombay Half Marathon in beneath 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 stage seems like coming into a distinct universe. There’s a full-blown lounge with a bar, paying homage to a speakeasy. “That is the occasion space,” he grins.
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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 area. You’d must 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.
