Once yearned for a home, SRK now has cyrotherapy, theatre at Mannat

Owning a house was once superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest dream. Today, his Mumbai residence, Mannat, has a cinema hall, a cryotherapy facility and a sea view. At the launch of a luxury penthouse project named after him in Dubai, the actor reflected on his journey from having no home of his own to building a residence that draws crowds of fans.Hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, the event also featured his wife Gauri Khan, who designed the Dubai project. The conversation covered Shah Rukh’s early struggles, the personal meaning of Mannat, Gauri’s role in the family’s success and the values the couple want to pass on to their children, Aryan, Suhana and AbRam.While introducing the project, Karan offered a glimpse of the features at Shah Rukh’s sea-facing Mumbai home. “Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat has a cinema hall, cryotherapy and a sea view,” he said.Karan also indicated that the Dubai project had drawn inspiration from several features of the actor’s residence. At the event, Shah Rukh said owning a house had been one of his greatest dreams, particularly after losing his parents early in life and growing up without a home of his own.“I come from a background where my parents died early,” he said. “It is not a sob story. This is how it was. I never had a house. My biggest yearning in life — of course, I love my films, family and work — but the only thing I love more than anything else is having a house.” The actor recalled that he did not own a house until he married Gauri. The couple bought their first home together, although the purchase was not easy. He said both that house and Mannat were beyond their financial means when they decided to buy them.Shah Rukh said he believed that when people dream big and work towards their goals, life eventually finds a way to make them happen. He also shared an anecdote about his children teasing him over his wish to buy houses in different cities.“They say, ‘Papa, we cannot buy a house everywhere.’ But I have been fortunate. God has been kind,” he said.Why home matters to Shah RukhFor the actor, a house is more than an investment or a symbol of success. “I have always been a big believer in home, a place to live in. Home is where you start from, and home is the nicest word in the universe. The word ‘home’ turns into an emotion. It becomes your identity, your pride and sometimes even your life,” he said.Explaining why a home mattered so much to him, Shah Rukh added, “For me, it is very important. I often tell people that in life there are good days, bad days, sad days and sometimes even depressing days. But when you finally come knocking, you have to return to your own home because you regenerate there, figure things out again and go back to face the harsh world. So I am a big believer in having a house.”He also had a message for people hoping to own their dream homes. “If you make a wish for a home, you will get the most beautiful home in life. Think big and believe big,” he said.Gauri’s role in the familyKaran credited Gauri with playing a central role in the life Shah Rukh has built. Describing her as a pillar of support, he said: “I want everyone to know that there would be no Mannat and no Khan family if it were not for this pillar standing right next to me.”He described Gauri as a form of Goddess Lakshmi and added, “Whosoever’s life she has touched, that life turns into gold.”Shah Rukh also credited his wife with constantly encouraging him to dream bigger. He recalled that Gauri never viewed their early achievements as the finish line.“Our first home, our first car, our first journey together — Gauri always said, ‘These are just the beginning. The first of many. And what we do next will be King style,’” he said.Gauri has the final word at homeGauri, who designed Mannat, said the process had been a cakewalk because she had the final say in every decision. “They have no option but to agree to all my designs,” she said.Shah Rukh agreed, joking that nobody in the family was allowed to complain about anything related to the house, from the Wi-Fi and paintings to the lift.“We cannot utter a word against Gauri’s house. We cannot complain about the Wi-Fi or the colour options, and neither are we allowed to eat in bed. We cannot talk about the paintings, terrace, chandelier, stairs or even the lift. We are just allowed to sit quietly and keep praising Gauri for her work. ‘Wow, Gauri, what a home you have made,’” he joked.Lessons for Aryan, Suhana and AbRamThe conversation also turned to the values Shah Rukh wants to pass on to his children. Having received love and appreciation from audiences across generations, he said he wanted Aryan, Suhana and AbRam to understand the importance of good manners, dignity, humility and hard work.He said success came from giving one’s best, regardless of the chosen field, and wanted his children to value the affection and appreciation they received instead of taking it for granted.“Jokes apart, people have known me for years. There are different generations of people here who have appreciated my work, and I am extremely grateful and thankful to all of them,” he said. “The one thing I have learnt from this appreciation over the years is to teach my children good manners, dignity and, above all, humility. They should have the passion to give their best to whatever they do.”He added, “If you give your best to whatever you do, there is no limit to what you can achieve because the love of the people is always there if you work hard. I just want them to be dignified, humble and hardworking.”From Delhi to MannatShah Rukh and Gauri bought their first home together in 1991 in Panchsheel Park, South Delhi. The actor initially owned the basement and first floor before eventually acquiring the remaining floors.The couple later bought a sea-facing apartment in Mumbai before moving into Mannat in 2001. Over the years, fans have regularly gathered outside its gates to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh. The property is currently being renovated, with Gauri adding extra floors.The actor will be seen in the upcoming film King, which is slated to release on December 24. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Deepika Padukone and Suhana Khan among others.- Ends