Amitabh Bachchan’s two-storey bungalow in Mumbai’s Juhu neighbourhood is easily one of the most iconic Bollywood homes out there. Named Jalsa, meaning ‘celebration’, the much-loved celebrity home is the residence of not just Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, but also their son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan. You’ll also often spot Amitabh and Jaya’s daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda spending time here with her children, Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda. If you’re curious about the popular home of the first family of Bollywood, here are six interesting facts about Jalsa that you probably never knew.
It was the producer of Bachchan’s 1982 hit film Satte Pe Satta, NC Sippy, who owned the house before he gifted the property to Bachchan as remuneration for his work in the film.
One of the most expensive and opulent celebrity homes in Bollywood, Jalsa is roughly valued between Rs 100 crore and Rs 120 crores, according to IndiaTV.
When Amitabh Bachchan originally bought the property in the early ’80s, it was named ‘Mansa’ meaning ‘emperor.’ The property’s name was later changed to Jalsa at the recommendation of an astrologer.
Times have changed due to the pandemic, but pre-COVID, a beloved ritual of Bachchan's was greeting fans who gathered outside his home every Sunday. The iconic wooden gates of the house were opened to the star’s admirers, and a temporary stage was set, where the actor, often accompanied by family members, addressed the crowd.
Recently in a Twitter post commemorating 46 years of his film Chupke Chupke (1975), Bachchan revealed that many iconic movies that have been shot within the premises of his home, including Chupke Chupke, Anand, Satte Pe Satta and Namak Haram. Other movies that capture Jalsa include Anurag Kashyap's short film Murabba in the anthology Bombay Talkies (2013).
Located just 1km away from Jalsa is Bachchan’s first home, a bungalow named Prateeksha. The property has many significant memories for the star. Not only did he live there with father Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan and mother Teji Bachchan, it was also where his son Abhishek Bachchan married Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The premises also houses the family temple, reportedly built by the actor's father.
Also read:
From Mumbai to Dubai and London, here are all the lavish properties Shah Rukh Khan calls home
Did you know your favourite Bollywood celebrities had these homes outside India?
Bollywood homes: Anushka Sharma, Kareena Kapoor Khan and more take you inside their serene balconies