New Delhi: Veteran actor Anupam Kher has revealed that he once sold his Mumbai apartment by choice to embrace a simpler lifestyle, a property that was later purchased by Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt for nearly ₹9 crore.
Speaking candidly during an appearance on the show Zindagi with Richa, Anupam Kher reflected on his journey from humble beginnings to success in the film industry, and how his life choices have often been guided by values beyond material wealth.
A conscious decision to live simply
Anupam Kher shared that his decision to sell his Mumbai home was not driven by financial pressure but by a deeper realisation about life and priorities. Recalling his early days, he said he arrived in Mumbai with just ₹37 in his pocket, a phase that shaped his outlook on money and success.
He explained that after moving houses multiple times with his wife, actor and politician Kirron Kher, he began questioning the need to own property. When Kirron Kher became a Member of Parliament and moved to Chandigarh, the couple reassessed their lifestyle choices.
Kher noted that living in a rented house brought a sense of simplicity and freedom. According to him, renting helped reduce complications and allowed him to focus more on his craft rather than material pursuits.
A lesson in priorities and perspective
The actor also spoke about how the pursuit of wealth can become endless. He observed that once a person earns ₹10 crore, the desire often grows to ₹20 crore and beyond, creating a cycle that rarely satisfies.
He emphasised the importance of failure as a teacher, stating that setbacks help individuals grow, reinvent themselves, and stay creative. While admitting that moments of self-doubt do occur, he stressed the need to move past them and rediscover joy in life.
According to Kher, modern lifestyles often overlook the essence of truly living, as people get caught up in constant ambition and comparison.
Fulfilling his mother’s dream in Shimla
Despite choosing not to prioritise owning property for himself, Anupam Kher ensured that he fulfilled his mother’s wish of having a home in Shimla. He revealed that while she desired a modest house, he went a step further and purchased a larger property for her.
However, staying true to her simple nature, his mother prefers minimalism and typically visits the Shimla home only during the summer months.
Alia Bhatt’s purchase of the Juhu property
The Mumbai apartment that Anupam Kher sold eventually found a new owner in Alia Bhatt. According to reports, the actor purchased two properties in a prime residential building in Juhu in 2015.
The transactions were valued at ₹5.16 crore and ₹3.83 crore, bringing the total to approximately ₹8.99 crore, which is close to ₹9 crore. The purchase added to Alia Bhatt’s growing real estate portfolio in Mumbai, particularly in one of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
A story beyond real estate
Anupam Kher’s decision highlights a perspective that contrasts sharply with the conventional idea of success tied to property ownership. While many view owning a home as a milestone, Kher chose flexibility and simplicity instead.
His journey reflects a balance between professional ambition and personal contentment, showing that success can be defined in multiple ways. At the same time, the story also connects two generations of Bollywood—one actor choosing to let go of a property, and another investing in it as part of her growth.
Conclusion
The story of Anupam Kher selling his Mumbai home and Alia Bhatt later purchasing it is more than a real estate transaction. It is a reflection of changing priorities, personal philosophies, and evolving definitions of success.
While Kher continues to advocate a life rooted in simplicity and creative fulfilment, Bhatt represents a new generation building its own path. Together, their stories underline that success is not just about what one owns, but how one chooses to live.