Mumbai’s skyline is adorned with architectural marvels such as the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Rajabai Clock Tower. However, among these historic landmarks, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s luxurious bungalow, Mannat, stands as an icon in Bandra.

Thousands of fans visit the residence daily, hoping for a glimpse of their favorite star. But the bungalow is in the spotlight today for all the wrong reasons—a social activist has charged violations in its renovation proposals, and the issue is now before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

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Mannat’s Renovation Plan Hits a Roadblock

It recently came out that Shah Rukh Khan and his kin would shift out of Mannat temporarily because an elaborate renovation work would be conducted there. Supposedly on the insistence of his wife Gauri Khan, the renovation proposal involves introducing extra floors into the annexe of the bungalow, enhancing the overall constructed area by a little over 616.02 square meters.

But this lofty scheme has been put in jeopardy. Activist Santosh Daundkar petitioned the NGT, accusing Khan and the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) of infringing CRZ clearance norms. The actor’s bungalow is a Grade III heritage building that must have official approvals for making structural changes, which the activist alleged were not secured.

The Allegations Against Shah Rukh Khan

Santosh Daundkar, in his appeal, has raised several charges against Shah Rukh Khan. His allegations include:

  • The actor had earlier brought down two “heritage structures” on the property without getting environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • He raised a ground-plus-six-storied building inside the complex without mandatory approval from MCZMA.
  • Construction of a basement at a depth of six meters below ground level was said to have been done through illegal extraction of “substantial minor minerals and groundwater,” which was against CRZ norms.
  • Khan had illegally built 12 one-bedroom-hall-kitchen flats for mass housing and later combined them into a single luxury home in violation of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976.

NGT’s Reaction to the Claims

After these allegations, the NGT has noted and sought evidence in favor of his allegations from Daundkar within four weeks. There will be a hearing on April 23.

The tribunal, while making the order, said, “If any violation of the above procedure has been committed by the Project Proponent or the MCZMA, the same may be submitted by the appellant specifically along with the evidence in support of that, within four weeks, failing which we would be left with no option but to dismiss the present appeal for non-compliance of the order of this Tribunal, at the stage of admission itself.”

This implies that if the activist cannot provide concrete evidence, the case will be dropped, and Khan will be allowed to go ahead with his renovations.

A Look at Mannat’s Rich History

Mannat is not merely a celebrity residence; it goes back in history to the late 1800s. The bungalow, before being the Khan home, was initially constructed by Raja Bijai Sen of Mandi (an erstwhile princely state now in Himachal Pradesh) for one of his queens. It changed many hands after he died in 1902.

City chronicler Bharat Gothoskar and history buff Debasish Chakraverty uncover that the bungalow was sold to Perin Maneckji Batliwala in 1915, who renamed it “Villa Vienna.” Batliwala’s relatives owned the house until it was subsequently bought by diamond merchant Bharat Shah, from whom Shah Rukh Khan bought it in 2001 for around Rs 13.01 crore.

Intriguingly, there is another narrative of the bungalow’s history. The Gandhy family, erstwhile neighbors of Mannat, say that Maneckji Bottlewala constructed Villa Vienna after getting inspired from European neoclassical architecture. But being in financial trouble, he was forced to sell it to his sister, and it went down in the Dubash family before being purchased by Bharat Shah.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Emotional Affinity to Mannat

Shah Rukh Khan has frequently talked about his emotional connection to Mannat. It is claimed that he became infatuated with the bungalow while shooting the song Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai for his 1997 film Yes Boss. This interest prompted him to buy the property in 2001, even when he was financially strapped.

Gauri Khan, who is a seasoned interior designer herself, has also spelled out their travails in her coffee table book, My Life in Design, describing the amount of effort they took in converting the house into their ideal abode. The Bollywood actress has often been seen talking about how Mannat isn’t simply a home but also a testament to his struggle and aspirations.

What’s In Store for Mannat?

Mannat’s market value is currently estimated at approximately Rs 200 crore as of December 2024. But its growth remains uncertain with the legal case in limbo. The fate of the actor’s renovation plans will be decided in the next NGT hearing on April 23, whether to go ahead or be cancelled.

If Daundkar does not present substantial proof, the complaint will be closed, and Khan will be in a position to proceed with his plans. In case of any violations being established, Mannat’s renovation can face serious legal challenges.

Meanwhile, everyone awaits the NGT’s ruling since Shah Rukh Khan’s dream house stands in the way of an unsuspected controversy.