Bollywood is the land of glitz and glamour. Millions of fans across the country follow the high-street fashion and fitness lifestyle of their favourite actors and actresses. But a few celebrities stand out and dominate the silver screen by dint of their versatile acting skills. 47-year-old Pankaj Tripathi is a celebrity known for his down-to-earth demeanour and exemplary portrayal of complex characters. The OMG 2 star has recently shifted into what he calls his "dream home".
So today, let us take a tour of Pankaj Tripathi's house in Madh Island, Mumbai.
Advantage Madh Island
With two National Film Awards and a Filmfare to his credit, Pankaj Tripathi has starred in several films, including Gangs of Wasseypur, Newton, 83, and Fukrey 3. The National School of Drama alumni is known for his boy-next-door charm and traditional values. It is no surprise that the actor's sprawling bungalow in Madh Island is designed to create a rustic ambience and exudes all the charms of a traditional Indian village.
Madh Island is one of the fastest-growing residential neighbourhoods in Mumbai. It is a popular weekend getaway and retains the advantage of offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Pankaj Tripathi's house is aptly named Roop Katha (fairy tales in Bengali). It is the actor's second home in Mumbai and showcases his love of nature.
East Meets West
Pankaj Tripathi is very open about his early struggles and his life in a single-room shed-style home. He recounts his acting journey as a means to own this home in Mumbai, which is one of the most beautiful bungalows in the city. It is reminiscent of the Dak bungalows and bagan baris of eastern India. With its imposing semi-circular façade and pillared entrance with a verandah, the actor has indeed been able to recreate rural magic in bustling Mumbai. The home has an expansive lawn and offers great views of green woods and the sea.
A Gaon in Mumbai
As we enter the imposing gates of this Madh Island home, we are welcomed by several jackfruit and mango trees and a manicured lawn with flowering shrubs. Several bird feeders are set up here to shelter the avian population in the neighbourhood. Several hanging planters are set up here that add to the beauty of this home.
The white villa has several wooden chairs, a village-style woven cot (charpoy) and an earthen stove (chulha) out in the verandah. The actor and his wife, Mridula, love cooking here despite having a large and well-equipped kitchen. The upstairs balcony extends to an open canopied parking spot that leads into the side garden.
As we enter the home, we are greeted by a grand spiral staircase leading up to the upper level. Like the exterior, the interiors are also painted bright white with polished wooden furniture and door and window frames. The beauty of this home is enhanced by the large windows that let in ample natural light.
Wooden Décor
The living space features large wooden couches, seats, bright yellow upholstery, and simple yet elegant décor pieces. The home features several wooden pieces, like a one-horned rhino and a great tusker carved out of wood. Pankaj Tripathi received these as gifts, and the actor displays them prominently in his home. Another piece of sophisticated and stunning furniture is the intricately carved dining table with matching chairs made by the artisans of Mysore. Right next to the dining table is also a small but beautiful bar cabinet.
Pankaj Tripathi moved to Mumbai from Bihar in 2019. His primary residence is a sea-facing apartment in Madh Island, near Roop Katha. Most of the OMG star's Instagram and social media posts feature his loving wife and their new home. Buying this new villa nearby was a very emotional event for the actor and his wife.
Pankaj Tripathi's Madh island home is a testimony to the actor's humility and modesty. Despite his success, the actor lives a simple life and prefers the rustic charm of drinking water from clay pots. As the actor hopes to inspire young and upcoming actors from different parts of the country to break stereotypes and find fulfilment following his footsteps, we, his fans, look forward to seeing him more on the silver screen.