How the Bachchans are an island unto themselves...

Hollywood cinema icon Marlon Brando owned an island called Tetiaroa in Tahiti. And our own Indian cinema icon Amitabh Bachchan has made a little island for himself and his family at Mumbai’s Juhu and Vile Parle Development (JVPD) Scheme, a place that is one of the prime real estate areas in the maximum city.

The proximity of four of those five bungalows, three of which — Ammu, Jalsa, and Mansa — are just separated by compound walls, and Janak that is one lane away, definitely makes it seem like the Bachchan family has earmarked an island for themselves. Of course, Prateeksha that is a few furlongs away completes the quintuple count of residences.

Meet Prateeksha

Amitabh Bachchan’s first famous address in Mumbai. The place continues to remain a landmark on Juhu’s busy 10th Road. It was ‘attached’ when the Hindi cinema legend got into a financial mess post the launch of his production company ABCL in the mid-’90s.  However, he managed to avert the auction bid when he paid back all the monies he owed with interest to his borrowing bank.

Our source says, “Though he lives in Jalsa currently, Prateeksha has a special place in the Big B’s heart. Even today, he drops in here every morning after his walk. He has a special room here — in memory of his parents, Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. It is almost like a place of prayer and one or the other family member comes here to spend a few hours each day.’’

Inconspicuous Ammu

Bang next to Jalsa, Ammu is the most inconspicuous of the Bachchan abodes. Sheltered by trees, the compound wall is low.  Since the ground floor is leased out to a global bank, hardly anyone looks at the rest of the edifice. However, it is said that above the bank is where Abhishek, Aishwarya, and Aaradhya spend time.

Jalsa: The current residence

Yes, this is the place outside which huge crowds throng each Sunday. At 5 pm, the living legend steps out to wave and do a namaste to the countless fans who assemble here from across the world.  

The place is diagonally opposite the JW Marriott Hotel and it is said that at 5 am, Bachchan often crosses the street to use the hotel’s gymnasium.

Jalsa was originally called Mansa. However, a vaastu expert, apparently, asked the B family to change it to Jalsa.

This is the place Amitabh Bachchan got in the early ’80s; around the time he did Satte Pe Satta (1982) from the producer of the film NC Sippy.  The cost of the bungalow was reportedly adjusted against his fees for the film.

Jalsa was home to Ajitabh Bachchan for a while

Jalsa was also residence to Ajitabh Bachchan, his wife Ramola, and their three daughters for a short while. At this time, Amitabh and family were still living in Prateeksha. However, after a while, Ajitabh left because he found the place “unsuitable.’’ In fact, Amitabh is said to have sold off this place for a certain price. But when Jaya, who was very attached to Jalsa, asked her husband to get the place back, AB Sr apparently paid the builder double the price and got it back for his missus.

The brand new Mansa

Exactly behind Jalsa is Mansa.  This is the latest acquisition of the Bachchans. The place originally belonged to a film financier.  And when Mr B evinced an interest in the plot, the financier was ready to sell it to the legend. The deal was brokered by a yesteryear filmmaker’s son (who also resides in Juhu).

The lawns of Mansa are where the Bachchans host the guests for their Diwali and Holi parties. On other days, this is Aaradhya’s playground.

Janak, where the junta goes to meet the Bachchans

Janak is the official Bachchan office. This place is separated from the Bachchan official residences by JVPD’s Road No. 11. It is said that when the Big B wants to get to work, he just walks across from Jalsa to Janak via Mansa.  Yup, that entire stretch provides him complete privacy. Janak is where the Bachchan staff sits.   This is also the place where the media interactions with the family happen.  

Two of the upper floors at Janak are private spaces earmarked for the Piku actor. He likes listening to music here. He also has his favourite musical instrument, the piano, occupying a place of pride at Janak. If you are lucky, you can hear the strains of the piano being played very proficiently by the legend. Of course, if you compliment him, he will shrug it off, saying, “Oh, you flatter me! I’m just about learning to play.”