When Farah Khan landed up at Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi’s Khandala home for her vlog, it didn’t feel like a celebrity house tour. It felt like dropping by at an old friends’ place for chai, except the ‘old friends’ happen to be two of the most respected names in Indian cinema. Their home is called Sukoon, and the name makes sense the minute you see it.
A home surrounded by nature
Set in the quiet hills of Khandala, surrounded by tall trees and thick greenery, the house feels miles away from Mumbai’s chaos. It’s quiet in a way that almost forces you to slow down. No honking. No rush. Just wind, birds and a lot of green.
The garden is wide and open, with white marble statues placed here and there, almost casually. There’s a fountain in the middle, adding to the old bungalow charm. It doesn’t scream luxury. It feels calm and lived-in.
As you step inside, the first thing you notice is the high wooden ceiling in the foyer. It gives the house an old-school warmth, like the kind of bungalows you rarely see anymore. The vibe isn’t flashy or modern-minimal. It’s comfortable.
The furniture is vintage, the decor is simple. Nothing looks like it was bought to impress guests. Instead, it feels collected over time. In the drawing room, you’ll spot artefacts the couple picked up during their travels around the world. Each piece seems to carry a memory.
Big windows and doors open straight into the greenery outside. Sunlight pours in easily. You don’t feel cut off from nature, you feel surrounded by it. There’s also a huge wooden dining table that instantly grabs attention. It’s the kind of table where conversations probably stretch for hours.
Where Farhan Akhtar married Shibani Dandekar
The backyard is simple with a wooden table and benches made from tree trunks. No fancy outdoor furniture. Just solid wood and open sky.
But this space holds special memories. It’s where Farhan Akhtar married Shibani Dandekar in an intimate ceremony. You can imagine the family gathered there, the hills in the background, the mood emotional and happy.
Even the kitchen stays true to the home’s personality. A wooden countertop, metal pots and bowls, no unnecessary glamour. Functional, warm, real.
How did ‘Sukoon’ took place
Shabana shared that they bought the land about 15 years ago. What caught her heart was a 150-year-old tree standing there. She wanted a small, simple weekend home built around it. Javed, on the other hand, imagined something bigger. That difference led to plenty of arguments, she admitted.
Somewhere between her simplicity and his grand vision, Sukoon took shape.
At one point, Farah brought up Javed Akhtar’s early struggles in Mumbai, the days when he slept on footpaths and often went hungry. Hearing that while sitting in this peaceful home adds perspective. Javed admitted that even now, the comfort of his life sometimes feels unreal.
After over 41 years of marriage, they tied the knot on December 9, 1984, their Khandala retreat feels less like a showpiece property and more like a reflection of their journey. It’s not perfect. It’s not flashy. It’s full of stories. And maybe that’s what makes it special.