We were broke: SRK on how Gauri turned Mannat, their dream house, into a home

Shah Rukh Khan, the King of Bollywood, has spilt the beans on his swanky abode, Mannat, and how it wasn't easy to turn it into a home. We all know Mannat as the fancy sea-facing mansion in Mumbai that attracts hordes of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite superstar or snap a selfie outside the iconic residence.

However, little do we know that Shah Rukh and Gauri were broke after purchasing it – and built everything from scratch. During the launch of his wife Gauri Khan’s new coffee table book, My Life in Design, Shah Rukh shared the fascinating story of how he and his interior designer wife managed to make Mannat their own.

According to the Raees actor, when they first laid eyes on Mannat, it seemed like a far-fetched dream. "Coming from Delhi, we were used to living in bungalows. Little did we know that Mumbai had its own set of rules, where even apartments cost a fortune... It was quite a shocker for us because back in Delhi, everyone and their uncle had a bungalow," Shahrukh quipped. Initially, their humble Mumbai abode was lent to them by a generous director, not too far from the glorious Mannat.

But the Pathaan actor’s dreams were bigger than ever, and he recounted how they scraped together every penny to make their grand bungalow dream a reality. "We didn't have stacks of cash lying around, but we somehow managed to gather enough to buy Mannat. The only problem was, it was way out of our league. It was in a shabby state, desperately in need of a makeover. And let's not even talk about the furnishings; we were broke! But hey, we called in a designer anyway. The lunch bill he racked up while explaining his grand plans for the house probably exceeded my monthly salary at the time,” Shah Rukh confessed.

In an unexpected turn of events, the unaffordable designer became the catalyst for Gauri's design debut. Shah Rukh playfully admitted, "That guy's fees were sky-high, and that's how Mannat became Gauri's first-ever design project. She stepped in like a superstar and transformed it into a masterpiece."
 
 When asked about his favourite spot in the house, Shah Rukh surprised everyone. "You might think I'm glued to the bathroom, but nope! My favourite hangout spot is the library. It's like my own personal office, no fancy gadgets, just books. Admittedly, it's been a while since I actually read one, but the vibes in there are intellectual and cool,” he exclaimed.

Apart from sharing titbits about their grand mansion, Shah Rukh also gave insight into some family rituals. Apparently, the Khans are all about having dinner together. The Don actor chuckled, "We don't have a choice; it's a must-do! We sit down, enjoy a hearty meal, and discuss our day's adventures. And guess what? By the end of it, our unanimous verdict is always, 'It was a satisfying day!' Gauri firmly believes that satisfaction equals happiness."

So, there you have it—the inside scoop on Mannat, Shah Rukh’s humble abode turned lavish paradise. It's a tale of perseverance, creativity, and a touch of glamour. From dreaming big to making it a reality, how the Khan family carved its mark on Mumbai's skyline.