Anupam Kher says he chose renting over owning, years after selling home to Alia Bhatt for Rs 8.99 crore: 'I wanted a simpler life'
ETimes | April 24, 2026 6:39 AM CST
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has never shied away from speaking about his humble beginnings, and his recent revelations about selling his Mumbai apartment reflect the same philosophy. The actor, who once sold a property later purchased by Alia Bhatt , has now opened up about why he consciously chose not to own a house at one point in his life.
Recalling his early struggles during an appearance on Zindagi with Richa, Anupam shared that he arrived in Mumbai with just Rs 37 in his pocket. Despite building a successful career over the years, he said his decisions were never driven purely by financial goals.
‘It was a conscious decision, not a compulsion’Opening up about selling his home nearly a decade ago, Anupam revealed that the move was intentional and rooted in a desire for simplicity rather than necessity.
“Kirron and I moved to a different place, and it took us four years to find it. Then she became an MP and shifted to Chandigarh. At one point, I wondered why we were even searching so hard for a house. So we just started living simply,” he said, referring to his wife Kirron Kher .
He added that living in a rented space felt more grounded and less complicated, allowing him to focus on what truly mattered—his craft. “My aim is not just money. I want to be the best actor I can be,” he reiterated.
A mother’s dream fulfilledWhile he chose simplicity for himself, Anupam made sure to fulfil his mother’s wish of owning a home in Shimla. He shared that she had always dreamt of a modest house, but he went a step further and bought a much larger property for her.
Interestingly, despite the grand gesture, she continues to prefer a simple lifestyle and visits the house mainly during summers.
Lessons from failure and successReflecting on life and ambition, the actor spoke candidly about how success can often lead to an endless chase for more. “If you have Rs 10 crore, you start wanting Rs 20 crore, then Rs 25 crore,” he said.
He stressed that failure has been his biggest teacher, pushing him to evolve and stay creative. “Failure teaches you. It helps you grow, reinvent yourself, and reminds you that you're alive. You shouldn't feel self-pity. I do feel it sometimes, but after that, I find joy in living again. People have forgotten how to truly live,” he added.
The Alia Bhatt connectionFor the uninitiated, Anupam’s former Mumbai apartment was later bought by Alia Bhatt in 2015. Reports suggest that she purchased two properties in a Juhu building for a combined amount of approximately Rs 8.99 crore.
Recalling his early struggles during an appearance on Zindagi with Richa, Anupam shared that he arrived in Mumbai with just Rs 37 in his pocket. Despite building a successful career over the years, he said his decisions were never driven purely by financial goals.
‘It was a conscious decision, not a compulsion’Opening up about selling his home nearly a decade ago, Anupam revealed that the move was intentional and rooted in a desire for simplicity rather than necessity.
“Kirron and I moved to a different place, and it took us four years to find it. Then she became an MP and shifted to Chandigarh. At one point, I wondered why we were even searching so hard for a house. So we just started living simply,” he said, referring to his wife Kirron Kher .
He added that living in a rented space felt more grounded and less complicated, allowing him to focus on what truly mattered—his craft. “My aim is not just money. I want to be the best actor I can be,” he reiterated.
A mother’s dream fulfilledWhile he chose simplicity for himself, Anupam made sure to fulfil his mother’s wish of owning a home in Shimla. He shared that she had always dreamt of a modest house, but he went a step further and bought a much larger property for her.
Interestingly, despite the grand gesture, she continues to prefer a simple lifestyle and visits the house mainly during summers.
Lessons from failure and successReflecting on life and ambition, the actor spoke candidly about how success can often lead to an endless chase for more. “If you have Rs 10 crore, you start wanting Rs 20 crore, then Rs 25 crore,” he said.
He stressed that failure has been his biggest teacher, pushing him to evolve and stay creative. “Failure teaches you. It helps you grow, reinvent yourself, and reminds you that you're alive. You shouldn't feel self-pity. I do feel it sometimes, but after that, I find joy in living again. People have forgotten how to truly live,” he added.
The Alia Bhatt connectionFor the uninitiated, Anupam’s former Mumbai apartment was later bought by Alia Bhatt in 2015. Reports suggest that she purchased two properties in a Juhu building for a combined amount of approximately Rs 8.99 crore.
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