Former Miss World and Bollywood actor Manushi Chhillar recently welcomed viewersinto her sea-facing home in Mumbai, giving fans a rare glimpse into a space that is still being lovingly put together.
Moving in just a week before the tour, Manushi opened her doors with characteristic warmth and candour, revealing a home that is as thoughtful and grounded as the person who lives in it. “Home for me is where my loved ones are,” she told , and that sentiment is evident in every corner of the expansive apartment.
Manushi’s journey to this apartment is one of gradual rootedness. Originally from , she first came to to compete for Miss India, living with the other contestants before eventually becoming a permanent resident of the city after winning Miss World. Her early days in the city were spent in the Miss India , a beautiful address, but one that felt increasingly lonely as the other girls moved on.
“I used to feel so lonely when I used to come back home,” she recalled. That loneliness prompted her to reach out to her parents. “I said, okay, I’m only 20. I’m in Bombay. I’m trying to figure life out. It would mean the world to me if you guys could just move to Bombay with me.”
Her parents eventually relocated, and the family moved between Bandra and Andheri before finally deciding on a permanent home together. A recommendation from a family friend brought them to this building, which they fell in love with for its community, central location, and above all, its view.
The apartment is a sprawling five-and-a-half BHK on the 36th floor, and the sea view is its undeniable crown jewel. Manushi lights up when she talks about it. “It’s very interesting, especially at night, to kind of just dim the lights and actually look at people because it’s so interesting how busy Mumbai is even at night,” she said.
The home houses Manushi, her parents, and her brother, with a dedicated guest room always ready for her sister and brother-in-law whenever they visit. Each family member has been considered in the division of the space. Her father, a doctor, has a quiet study where he can continue learning; Manushi herself has her own room, a personal study for script preparation, a vanity, and a small art studio where she paints.
The living area is expansive and airy, benefiting from natural light pouring through the large windows overlooking the sea. At the time of the tour, the home was still being set up, giving the space an in-progress feel.
Manushi has a clear aesthetic vision for the space: clean, uncluttered, and practical. “I like everything clean because in Bombay, everything catches dust, and I think it’s so much easier to just have everything clean,” she said with a laugh.
One of the most charming details from the tour was the ongoing family debate about what goes on the walls. “We’re still arguing and debating about the fact whether my paintings should go up or like, should we just get something which is not me,” she admitted.
Her study is the one corner she has already for herself. It is her favourite spot in the house, a quiet desk-side space where she sits, reads, and prepares her scripts. In a home shared with family, this small personal nook clearly holds a special kind of peace.
What sets this apartment apart from a typical celebrity home tour is the complete absence of performance. There are no curated mood boards here, no flawlessly arranged coffee tables or designer statement pieces chosen for the camera. What there is, instead, is a family in the middle of figuring out how they want to live together in a city that gave all of them something.
Mumbai changed Manushi’s life. “My life started here, in a way,” she reflected, noting the city’s relentless energy and its rare ability to make everyone feel like they belong.
When young adults move to a new city at the beginning of their careers, they often enter an environment that is professionally stimulating but emotionally unfamiliar.
“Even if they are doing well at work, the absence of familiar relationships and routines can create a sense of emotional distance. Loneliness in such situations can gradually affect a person’s sense of belonging, leading to feelings of disconnection, self doubt, and sometimes even anxiety or low mood,” reflects Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director, Cadabam’s Hospitals.
Humans are inherently social and our sense of security is often rooted in stable emotional bonds. Having family nearby during such transitions can act as a powerful psychological anchor. According to the expert, family members provide emotional reassurance, continuity of identity, and a safe space where one can be vulnerable without judgment. “This kind of support helps individuals cope better with the pressures of a new environment and can significantly protect mental well being during periods of change,” mentions Cadabam.
From a psychological standpoint, a home becomes meaningful because it holds emotional memories, relationships, and a sense of familiarity. “Living with loved ones often creates a stable emotional environment where individuals feel accepted and understood. This sense of safety allows the mind to relax and recover from the stress that often comes with demanding careers.”
