South Stars Find a New Base in Mumbai

Mumbai is emerging as the preferred second base for leading South Indian stars. From Suriya and Jyotika to Samantha, Rashmika Mandanna and Dhanush, a growing number of celebrities are shifting base to the city, buying swanky homes or setting up temporary residences to keep pace with their expanding pan-Indian careers.

Some have moved in with their families, while others have simply secured plush properties to make their Mumbai schedules easier.

Suriya and Jyotika have made the biggest move of them all. The National Award-winning couple has permanently relocated from Chennai to Mumbai. Suriya has said the move was partly to support Jyotika’s Bollywood comeback, stay closer to her ageing parents and provide stability for their children’s schooling. The couple has bought a luxury apartment in Bandra.

Samantha has also shifted her base to Mumbai following her pan-Indian and streaming successes. She reportedly purchased a sea-facing 3BHK apartment in the city for Rs 15 crore.

Having worked in Bollywood for decades, R Madhavan, too, has a Mumbai address, owning a plush apartment in the Bandra-Kurla Complex.

Mumbai as a temporary work base

Several top stars, however, continue to maintain Hyderabad as their primary home while using Mumbai as a temporary work base. Allu Arjun continues to keep Hyderabad as his family base, while renting a sprawling 5BHK penthouse in Juhu for his extended shooting schedule for Raaka. RRR star Ram Charan was among the early contemporary Tollywood actors to invest in Mumbai. He owns a sea-facing penthouse in the Khar-Bandra area, providing a convenient base during his frequent visits to the city.

Rashmika Mandanna secured a Mumbai home, giving her a convenient base while juggling her Bollywood and South Indian projects. Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran has also planted his flag in Mumbai. The actor-filmmaker has strengthened his presence in the city with a premium duplex in Pali Hill, Bandra, purchased through his production house. Tamil star Dhanush, too, has invested in a Mumbai apartment, giving him a convenient base for his growing film commitments, meetings and collaborations.

As pan-Indian projects continue to blur regional boundaries, the city looks set to remain an important hub for stars expanding their careers beyond the South.