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On the 53rd floor of her Mumbai apartment, Madhuri Dixit hums a tune. Her walk may have been composed and collected, and her tune may have been soulful, but memories of her dancing to some of the most iconic hits of the 90s in Bollywood came rushing back. We have seen many versions of her—Mohini in Tezaab (1988), Madhu in Dil (1990), Shivani in Anjaam (1994), Nisha in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Pooja in Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997), and more—yet Madhuri's earnest and level-headed disposition outside reels is always lauded as class apart. It is with this approach that she and her husband, Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, called architect Apoorva Shroff of Lyth Design to design their sophisticated abode in a Mumbai high-rise.
A clear brief helped Shroff deliver exactly what the couple had requested: “a sanctuary that blends contemporary aesthetics with a minimalist undertone, emphasising straight lines, clean forms, and a sober palette’’. This also convinced Shroff to use a “neutral interior palette that complements the homeowners' vibrant personalities’’. Madhuri and Dr Nene resorted to “simplicity"— a timeless template that feels like home. Madhuri shares, “Everything [in this Mumbai home] is uncluttered; it's straight lines... beautiful yet artistic’’, to which Dr Nene adds, “Our take on contemporary design is very similar’’. Understated elegance reaches a fabulous zenith, creating an atmosphere that “evokes calm, clarity, and comfort,’’ says Apoorva. The melodrama and the stories ooze in small details.
Also read: Actor Jaaved Jaaferi’s sea-facing Mumbai home is a Mediterranean oasis made of memories
40 years of cinematic devotion should garner anyone a certain cult fan following. In addition to her millions of admirers, Madhuri Dixit became a muse to many, most notably Indian modernist Maqbool Fida Husain, who was also one of the founding members of the Bombay Progressive Artists' Group in the 1940s post India's independence. Husain's viscerally vibrant paintings, which he painted exclusively for Madhuri, are the axis of the home's design language. The entrance foyer, ornamented with a dramatic console by Vikram Goyal's Viya Home, is accentuated by Husain's auspicious Ganeshas. It's a welcome reminiscent of Madhuri's humble beginnings. Everywhere around the house, Husain's artwork encourages conversations. Madhuri says, “Husain Ji wanted to paint the walls of my home, but I objected on the account of moving, so he painted me some of his finest works.’’ It's truly the stuff F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre would approve of. For Husain, Madhuri was ‘Mad Huri’, which translates to a fairy or a princess in Urdu. For Madhuri, it was the kind of humour and honour you'd never discount, always appreciate. “I just love the colours he used; it pops out,’’ Madhuri sighs.
M.F. Husain's artwork dictated not only the colour palette but also the premium, smart automation lighting, which is sourced by Delta Light and executed under the guidance of Dr Nene himself. A self-proclaimed technophile, Dr Nene envisioned “a fortress of solitude where the family can explore all their passions’’. Both Madhuri and Dr Nene combined their love for music, theatre, art, and technology here. A grand projector for a wholesome home theatre-like experience backed by conspicuous Bowers & Wilkins Speakers, a fully-automated Valcucine bar for never-ending sundowners, and a dedicated music room fitted with guitars, drums, and a Steinway & Sons piano that has delivered many melodic memories—this is a family of entertainers, and it shows. Furthermore, no gathering is complete without delectable nosh, and the Nenes have a gourmet kitchen where they share recipes and conversations. It is what Dr Nene endearingly refers to as “the bones of the house’’. With art and technology strategically placed around the house, the ubiquitous views of the Arabian sea and the dramatic Mumbai skyline lend an all-pervasive warmth and a sense of homecoming, especially for Madhuri who's spent over a decade in the US with her husband and children, Arin and Ryan, before finally settling base in India.
Also read: Virat Kohli’s holiday home in Alibag is the embodiment of biophilic luxury
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Madhuri Dixit is the queen of intergenerational fandom—she's ruled many hearts for decades with her graceful dance and exceptional talent. But at her Mumbai home, she is a wife and a mother who's always spotlighted the importance of having a family. “I've always wanted a family. That was my dream: to have a husband, kids, and a house where you feel comfortable, cosy and loved.’’ This airy and artful 5,500-square-foot apartment in the Maximum City is Madhuri and Dr Nene's incandescent love for life.
Styling: Samir Wadekar
Director: Piya Pahwa
DOP: Rohit Mendiratta
Post-Production: Creative Nonsense
Presented by Stonex
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