Shah Rukh Khan rents, Aamir Khan buys, Priyanka Chopra sells: What’s using Bollywood’s actual property developments? | – Times of India

Mumbai’s skyline isn’t simply dotted with luxurious skyscrapers and sea-facing villas—it’s formed through the goals, dilemmas, and way of life alternatives of India’s largest stars. While some celebrities are making an investment crores into proudly owning a work of the town they rule, others are opting for the versatility—and standing—of luxurious leases. With Shah Rukh Khan quickly leasing swanky duplexes and Aamir Khan buying a brand new flat amid redevelopment, the age-old “Rent vs Buy” debate is heating up in Bollywood.But what’s in point of fact influencing those selections? Is it simply economics, or is symbol, transience, and standing enjoying a larger function? Here’s a better have a look at why some celebs are laying down everlasting roots, whilst others are merely renting the dream.Shah Rukh Khan rents as Mannat will get a makeoverKing Khan himself is surroundings the tone for the dialog. While his iconic place of dwelling Mannat is present process renovations, Shah Rukh Khan has rented out 4 flooring within the upscale Puja Casa development in Bandra. The value? A staggering ₹24.15 lakh per 30 days.While many fanatics might suppose a celebrity like SRK would go for every other acquire, this transfer is strategic. It’s brief, purposeful, and permits him to care for privateness and way of life requirements with out committing to every other primary funding.Aamir Khan buys a brand new pad amid redevelopmentIn distinction, Aamir Khan—identified for his measured selections each off and on display—just lately bought a Rs 9 crore flat in Bandra. With his present place of dwelling in Pali Hill set for redevelopment, Aamir appears to be creating a long-term play, securing a brand new belongings at the same time as he waits for ownership within the redeveloped development.His determination displays a extra conventional method: keep invested in actual property, particularly in a locality that aligns with one’s stature. The transaction additionally incorporated a hefty Rs 58.5 lakh stamp accountability and Rs 30,000 registration charge—small trade for the celebrity, however telling of his dedication to possession.The Glamour of RentingFor many more youthful stars, alternatively, renting appears to be the most well liked selection. It provides get entry to to luxurious dwelling with out the burdens of possession in one of the most global’s costliest actual property markets.Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, Bollywood’s energy couple, reportedly renewed the hire on their Juhu condominium—paying Rs 17.01 lakh per 30 days, with a 3-year hire outlay of roughly Rs 6.2 crore. Add to {that a} Rs 1.75 crore safety deposit, and it’s transparent that this is not about affordability—it is about way of life with out long-term dedication.Kriti Sanon is living in a 5,184 squareft duplex in Andheri West, rented from none as opposed to Amitabh Bachchan. At Rs 10 lakh a month, the condominium provides her the luxe symbol and area a celebrity of her emerging stature calls for, with out locking in crores.Renting with a PurposeNot each superstar rents for flash or flexibility. Some, like veteran actor Anupam Kher, do it out of practicality. “I prefer renting in Mumbai and investing elsewhere,” he mentioned in an interview, revealing he owns houses in Chandigarh and Shimla, however chooses to stick on hire within the most town.Similarly, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal selected to hire a sea-facing condominium right through what they perceived as a “depressed market,” appearing a mixture of monetary savvy and emotional detachment from Mumbai’s unpredictable actual property scene.Building LegacyWhile many hire for comfort, others, like Aamir Khan and Salman Khan (who nonetheless is living in his iconic Galaxy Apartments), purchase to construct legacy. Owning a house in Mumbai isn’t only a monetary determination—it’s a commentary. A marker of permanence in an differently risky career.For fanatics, those properties turn out to be landmarks—“Jalsa,” “Mannat,” and “Galaxy” at the moment are Mumbai Darshan mainstays. A generational sense of belonging is rooted in those houses.In industries like Bollywood, the place symbol is foreign money and steadiness is unusual, actual property turns into greater than refuge—it’s a reflect of the place a celebrity sees themselves within the arc in their profession.Who Is Renting and Why?1. Professionals on Temporary Job AssignmentsMany tenants lately are people who have relocated for paintings on short- to medium-term assignments. These are execs hired in huge or influential firms who’re undecided of the place they’ll be posted subsequent. As process places shift post-appraisal or because of interior transfers, committing to belongings possession does not make monetary or sensible sense. This ends up in excessive churn in condominium housing, with only a few tenants staying in the similar flat for quite a lot of years.2. Displaced Residents from Redevelopment ProjectsAnother vital section of renters comprises households quickly displaced because of the redevelopment in their present houses. These folks hire apartments whilst looking ahead to their redeveloped properties to be finished. This has added to the call for within the condominium marketplace, specifically in towns present process huge infrastructure and redevelopment drives.3. Young Adults Delaying HomeownershipThe present technology that are supposed to be getting into the housing marketplace is in large part priced out because of excessive actual property prices and the requirement for a considerable down cost—normally 20% of the valuables price. For example, a Rs 1 crore house calls for Rs 20 lakhs in advance. Building such financial savings early in a single’s profession is unrealistic for many, main them to want renting till they may be able to gather the essential capital.4. Low Rental Yields for InvestorsMost belongings house owners renting out high-value residences aren’t skilled landlords. They steadily earn a modest 2–3% condominium yield yearly. These apartments weren’t purchased with the aim of producing condominium source of revenue however are normally the results of obligatory reinvestment of sale proceeds to keep away from tax liabilities.5. Historic Purchases Dominate the Rental MarketThe apartments lately to be had for hire are most commonly older or “historic” purchases. Owners have steadily moved on to higher houses however select to not promote the older ones. Reasons come with their emotional attachment to the home and even the loss of pressing monetary want. Such houses are retained “just in case” and simplest indexed for hire when mendacity vacant.6. Indian Mindset Towards Real EstateIn India, actual property is noticed as a legacy asset, no longer one thing to incessantly promote or business. Many house owners keep away from promoting until completely essential—corresponding to for investment a marriage, kids’s schooling, or monetary emergencies. This mentality stems from a broader cultural inclination to carry onto possessions, even unused ones, below the conclusion that they could be helpful at some point.What will have to you do?In a candid chat with ETimes, Prashant Puri, Horseshoe Realty Ventures used to be requested, With Shah Rukh Khan reportedly renting a house, it brings up the most important query: Is renting rising in popularity—even most well-liked—in primary towns like Mumbai? What components are influencing this development some of the city elite and will have to the center elegance additionally imagine it as a extra feesable choice?“Yes, it’s become a trend now. And if you see it microscopically, these apartments are rented by the people from the same fraternity. So there are two things which are influencing this. One, for two, three years, it doesn’t make sense in context of Shah Rukh Khan. It doesn’t make sense to buy an apartment because if he is going to sell it again and then he would have to invest a great majority of money to stay in that.”Explaining the mathematics at the back of those investments, he says, “Right now, his rent runs into so many lakhs. But what would be the capital worth of that property? Several crores, I’m guessing. So the return on investment is hardly 3%. More than that you get if you keep your money in the Bank FD. He will also enter into the trap of capital gains when he wants to shift back to Mannat.”He provides, “Also, the investment which he will put in to buy a new apartment for a temporary residence. Will not appreciate that much. So paying rent is cheaper.”Now we’ve those actors and the elite who’re renting out those areas. What advantages are there for a rented condominium as opposed to that of an possession in relation to, you already know, center elegance?In Mumbai from a center elegance section, both they’re people who find themselves at the transfer or their structures are stepping into for redevelopment. Rentals are going up in Mumbai is as a result of Mumbai is completely below redevelopment, so there’s a pageant happening between two teams. There are simplest such a lot of apartments within the town in proximity to paintings areas, faculties, and the call for is upper than same old as a result of those building tasks. Hence leases are hovering.Celebrities are identified to put money into more than one houses, particularly in upscale neighbourhoods. In your view, what drives this development—non-public way of life wishes, funding technique, or logo symbol?In fresh months, a number of high-profile names—from Priyanka Chopra to Gauri Khan—have reportedly bought their residences, whilst Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have invested Rs 100 crore in luxurious properties. What is using this development?“When big stars buy a real estate apartment, those become almost destination apartments. That’s going to be the place where they want to live for years. When you see the smaller apartments being sold by them for Rs 10 crore, Rs 11 crore, most of these are led by capital gain issues or some could also be driven by capital gains. What is particularly prompting this? Well, the issue is with the Gen Z’s and the millennials. If you go by an old book, people would work hard to create a real estate, but now I don’t see that going anywhere because the younger lot is more interested in vacationing abroad, dining in expensive restaurants, basically a major portion of the fund flow is going into lifestyle choices than real estate. Rather than investing in things that are appreciating in nature, people are investing in experiences which depreciate in nature. Real estate is the most expensive asset and you can buy it only twice or thrice in your entire life. Equity Players Don’t Want You to Buy a Home?According to Prashant Puri, equity market players—such as mutual fund houses, brokers, and wealth managers—are not incentivised to encourage home buying. The reason is simple, when an individual invests in real estate, that money exits the equity ecosystem.“Today, for buying a 1 crore apartment, his 20 lakh rupees is in the market with them. The moment he buys it, that 20 lakh gets out of the market from their system… and gets into real estate, which is jammed.”This 20% down payment no longer remains investible capital—it’s locked into a physical asset. Additionally, the remaining 80% is financed via a home loan, and the monthly EMI payments, which could have otherwise gone into SIPs or stock investments, are now servicing a mortgage.“He has to pay EMI on the balance 80%. That surplus is also not going to them.”Hidden Messaging Behind ‘Rent Is Better’Highlights that much of the public narrative around renting being superior to buying is not just consumer wisdom—it’s strategic communication driven by financial institutions, Prashant says, “The messaging also depends on whom it is favouring. If you demotivate them from buying, then that money doesn’t go out.”By encouraging people to rent, the equity ecosystem ensures that disposable income continues to flow into market-linked instruments. This benefits fund managers, advisors, and investment platforms who depend on steady inflows.Unlike financial instruments, real estate demands significant commitment. It’s illiquid, capital-intensive, and emotionally tied to long-term goals. That’s why people buy homes only a handful of times in their life.“Thrice is the maximum, twice is the minimum. So that money, once it’s gone into real estate, is stuck.”Real Struggle for Entry-Level BuyersPuri points out that the rental segment is largely consumed by people just starting their careers—young professionals with uncertain futures and limited savings. He says, “The people who are at the entry-level are major consumers of rental accommodation. They still don’t know where they will be.”Even if they aspire to buy, the sheer cost burden discourages them. For instance, an Rs 80 lakh home loan would result in an EMI of Rs 80,000/month—whereas the same apartment could be rented for Rs 20,000. “The consumer is thinking, why should I pay 80,000 per month to own when I can rent it for Rs 20,000?”This perceived gap in value plays directly into the equity industry’s hands, which benefits when buyers postpone their purchase and keep investing.“Till then, that Rs 80,000 was going into equities, but now it’s going towards building of a real estate, which is going to be there for you with life,” he explains.This redistribution of funds away from equities is seen as a loss by market players, hence the reluctance to promote homeownership narratives he reasons.Luxury Buyers Don’t Face This DilemmaFor high-end real estate buyers—those purchasing Rs 4–8 crore apartments—this equation doesn’t apply. Their cash flow is not strained, and buying a home is often part of an upgrade rather than a financial struggle. “These residences are bought through individuals who have already completed or arrived in lifestyles. Cash float isn’t a topic,” he says. Such buyers don’t face the rent vs buy dilemma; they buy based on lifestyle preferences, not investment logic.In one of his more direct remarks, Prashant warns consumers that their financial decisions are subtly being influenced. “Everybody’s thought process is being channelised by the drivers of market.” The equity market’s consistent messaging—“stay invested”, “don’t stop SIPs”, and “compounding works”—is designed to retain capital, even during volatile phases.Puri predicts, “One single jolt and everybody would be out of it. That’s why the mutual fund industry keeps saying—keep investing, keep investing.”For the average person watching this spectacle unfold, the choice between renting and buying boils down to more relatable concerns: affordability, long-term goals, and lifestyle needs. Ultimately, the real estate vs equity debate boils down to capital control. Equities offer liquidity, growth, and churn. Real estate offers permanence, security, and capital appreciation over time—but at the cost of cash flow flexibility.