Shah Rukh Khan’s Move Sparks Worries for Local Vendors

A Quiet Street

The streets around Shah Rukh Khan’s famous Mannat mansion in Bandra are suddenly a lot quieter. The Bollywood superstar has moved out temporarily for some major renovations, and the absence of the star is being felt by the local businesses that thrived on his presence.

Empty Stools and Missed Sales

Vendors who used to rely on fans eager to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh and buy snacks or souvenirs are seeing a sharp drop in sales. They tell stories of fewer people stopping by, disappointed to find the actor isn’t home. An ice-cream seller told Instant Bollywood, “It makes a big difference. Shah Rukh doesn’t live here anymore, and the public has found out, fewer people are coming.”

Another vendor explained, “There’s a huge difference. Earlier, people would come and stay for a while. But now that they’ve found out he doesn’t live here, fewer people are coming. And even those who do come, when they find out SRK doesn’t live here anymore, they often turn their autos and taxis around and leave.” He added, “When Shah Rukh is there, Mannat is something special, but without him, it’s nothing.”

Why the Move?

Shah Rukh Khan, along with his wife Gauri and their three children, have moved into a luxury apartment building in the nearby Pali Hill area. He’s leasing four floors from film producer Vashu Bhagnani. The reason for the move? Mannat, Shah Rukh’s iconic home, is undergoing a major renovation, including an extension. Because it’s a heritage building, any changes require special permissions.

While the apartment is a temporary home, it’s reportedly spacious enough to house the family, staff and even some office space. The renovation at Mannat is expected to take up to two years.