Last Updated on February 27, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
SRK recalls the early days of Mannat, the financial struggles, and how Gauri Khan became its unexpected designer.
February 27, 2025: Mannat: A Dream Home with Humble Beginnings
Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat is more than just a luxurious home in Mumbai’s Bandra Bandstand; it’s a symbol of his journey from humble beginnings to superstardom. However, when SRK bought the then-broken Villa Vienna in 2001 and renamed it Mannat, the real challenge began—he didn’t have enough money to furnish it.

SRK & Gauri’s Financial Struggles After Buying Mannat
In 2023, Shah Rukh reminisced about the challenges he and Gauri Khan faced after purchasing the bungalow. “We had not too much money. As soon as we mustered up some money, we said we have to buy a bungalow. We managed to buy, which was one thing, but then we had to rebuild it because it was kind of broken. And then we didn’t have money to furnish it,” he recalled.

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How Gauri Khan Became Mannat’s Designer
The couple initially considered hiring a professional interior designer. However, they quickly realized they couldn’t afford it. SRK shared, “We called upon one designer, but the lunch he served us while discussing the design cost more than my monthly salary. We were like, this guy will charge us a lot, so how do we do this house now?”

That’s when Gauri Khan stepped in. SRK turned to his wife and suggested, “Why don’t you become the designer of the house?”
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Mannat’s Transformation Under Gauri Khan
Gauri took on the challenge, designing and furnishing Mannat from scratch. Over the years, she evolved into a renowned interior designer, working on luxury homes, celebrity spaces, and high-end projects.
Shah Rukh proudly concluded, “She started with that whole aspect, and now she designs anything and everything we buy for the house.”
Today, Mannat stands as a symbol of hard work, love, and determination, a landmark visited by thousands of fans daily, proving that dreams do come true—even if they start with financial struggles and a broken house.
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Shah Rukh Khan, Mannat story, Gauri Khan, SRK Mannat, Bollywood homes, Mannat renovation, Mumbai landmarks, celebrity lifestyle, Bollywood news