- Saturday, April 26, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
The vibrant buzz around Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic Mannat bungalow in Bandra has quietened after the superstar temporarily moved out for major renovation work. Local vendors who heavily relied on the massive footfall generated by fans outside Mannat are now facing serious business losses.
Shah Rukh Khan, along with his wife Gauri Khan and children Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam, has shifted to a luxury apartment in the Pali Hill area of Bandra while the two-year-long renovation project is underway at their sea-facing mansion.
Mannat has always been one of Mumbai’s biggest attractions, with thousands of fans and tourists visiting the spot every day just for a glimpse of SRK or to pose in front of the iconic gates. However, after news spread that Shah Rukh Khan has moved out, the area has been seeing significantly lower footfall. In several viral videos circulating on social media, local vendors have voiced their concerns about how the relocation has directly impacted their livelihoods.
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One ice-cream vendor shared, “Bahut farak pada hai. Ab Shah Rukh rehte bhi nahi hai aur yeh public ko pata chala gaya hai toh public kum aa rahi hai (It has made a big difference. Since Shah Rukh Khan no longer lives here, and people have found out, fewer visitors are coming).” Vendors who once thrived on the crowd have been hit hard as fans no longer stop by the area as they used to.
Another local businessman explained, “Pehle public aata tha aur rukta bhi tha. Ab jaise hi unko pata chala hai ke woh nahi rehte, aana kum ho gaya hai. Aur jo log aate hai, jab unko pata chalta hai ke SRK nahi rehte, woh log auto and taxi ko turn kara lete hain (Earlier, people would come and stay around. Now, as soon as they learn Shah Rukh Khan doesn’t live here anymore, they either don’t come or leave immediately).”
He poignantly added, “Shah Rukh hai toh Mannat hai, nahi toh yeh kuch bhi nahi hai (When Shah Rukh is there, Mannat means something, otherwise it’s just another building).”
The slowdown in footfall not only affects food and souvenir vendors but also nearby eateries, auto drivers, and local guides who counted on the continuous influx of tourists visiting Mannat. Many vendors fear the situation may continue for the next two years until the superstar returns.
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan is preparing for his upcoming film King alongside his daughter Suhana Khan. The project has already generated massive excitement among fans, with many hoping that the star’s return to Mannat will revive the local Bandstand atmosphere once again.
As renovations continue, Mannat stands unusually quiet — a stark reminder of the magnetic pull Shah Rukh Khan holds, not just over Bollywood but also over the daily economy of the area surrounding his legendary residence.
