In what can only be described as an unprecedented move, Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has made the decision to allow public access to her Chennai residence, a home filled with memories and the lingering legacy of her mother, the revered celluloid icon, Sridevi. This abode, once exclusive to the Kapoor family’s private gatherings and celebrations, now extends its grandeur to guests courtesy of Airbnb’s new selection of coveted locales, aptly titled ‘Icons.’
For ardent fans and travelers alike, the opportunity to step inside the Kapoor household premises is akin to walking through a living museum of Bollywood history. Acquired by Sridevi and cherished by Janhvi Kapoor, the property’s doors are opening to select individuals who are eager to engage with the sanctuary of one of India’s most famous film families.
The exquisite mansion, nestled in the cultural heart of Chennai, has been meticulously maintained and recently underwent substantial renovations to ensure its grandeur remains unblemished. People magazine had the honor of revealing that Airbnb has woven this magnificent property into their tapestry of ’11 Icons,’ a collection of places that fuse accommodation with unforgettable experiences.
Janhvi Kapoor has chosen to share her personal retreat not merely as a place to lay one’s head but as a holistic encounter with her lifestyle. The exclusive one-night stays come with the added allure of engaging with Janhvi herself, discussing her “favorite beauty hacks” and savoring the taste of “fresh, authentic South Indian food.”
Brian Chesky, the CEO and co-founder of Airbnb, highlighted this immersive initiative at the ‘Icons’ launch, proclaiming that this marks “the most intimate access to the most famous family in Bollywood.” He revealed that the Kapoor residence stands alongside an array of extraordinary cultural locations — from the charm of the house featured in Disney-Pixar’s Up situated in Abiquiu, New Mexico, to the architectural elegance of the X-Men mansion in New York’s Westchester County, among other pop culture treasure spots.
Boney Kapoor, Janhvi’s father, conveyed in an interview with The New Indian Express the emotional significance tied to the Chennai residence, where past and present blend seamlessly. The family patriarch described the intensive efforts undertaken to refurbish the estate, fueled by the desire to foster a familial haven for Janhvi and her sister Khushi, infusing new life into rooms that had been lost to time and weather.
As the mansion steps into the limelight once more, guests can anticipate the warmth of hospitality synonymous with the Kapoors, and a dwelling that reflects the quintessence of South Indian charisma.
The luminary Janhvi Kapoor, while embarking on this novel journey with her ancestral home, continues her meteoric rise in the acting sphere, as she is set to grace the silver screen in forthcoming movies like ‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi’ and ‘Uljah.’ Alongside these Hindi cinema ventures, she will also make her impactful debut in the Telugu film industry with ‘Devara: Part 1.’
As Janhvi Kapoor invites the world to partake in the legacy left by her beloved mother, her Chennai mansion serves as a bridge between the yesteryears of cinematic splendor and the hospitality of the present, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who wish to reside, if only fleetingly, within the walls of Bollywood royalty.
