Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan recently visited actress Diana Penty’s stunning heritage home, accompanied by her long-time cook, Dilip. The moment they entered, Farah was amazed to see what looked like a slice of old-world Europe hidden in the heart of Mumbai. The house, which belonged to Diana’s great-grandfather, is more than 100 years old and almost everything inside, from the furniture to the decoration, dates from the same era. With its Parsi-style architecture, high ceilings, large windows, wooden stairs, large doors and a leafy terrace, the house exudes the charm of a colonial-era cottage.
When they entered, Dilip, with wide eyes, asked Farah, “Madam, where have we come?” to which Farah joked: “This is a huge Buckingham Palace. I’ve brought you to London!”
Moments later, Diana greeted Farah with a warm hug. Still stunned by the sprawling two-story residence, Farah asked, “Is this all your house?”
Main door of Diana Penty’s house. (Photo: Farah Khan/YouTube)
Diana smiled and responded: “Upstairs I am and below we are.” He referred to his mother and other family members.
And he added: “Let’s go to mom’s house because mom has the right kitchen.”
Living room of Diana Penty’s house. (Photo: Farah Khan/YouTube)
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Curious to explore further, Farah requested a tour of the house, exclaiming, “Please give me a tour of the house! What is this place? I feel like I’ve traveled back in time and arrived in a colonial house!”
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Pointing to a carved wooden table with a mirror attached, Farah asked, “How old is this?” Diana’s mother quickly responded: “Over 100 years.”
Living room of Diana Penty’s house. (Photo: Farah Khan/YouTube)
Speaking to her camera, Farah joked: “This is over 100 years old, it’s still older than me! I’m very happy to be in a place where things are older than me.”
As they moved towards the kitchen, Farah gasped, “Wow! Look at this kitchen, it’s amazing.” Turning to Dilip, he asked, “Have you ever seen such a beautiful house?” Dilip, doing his best English, said timidly, “No, ma’am, never.”
100-year-old furniture in Diana Penty’s house. (Photo: Farah Khan/YouTube)
Diana then mentioned, “I have a farm outside too,” to which Farah replied, “How nice! I feel like I’ve come to another place. This doesn’t feel like Mumbai at all.”
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Soon, Diana’s team began to fill the space. Watching the flurry of activity, Farah laughed: “Yeh dekho, heroine ka entourage!” When Diana’s makeup artist rushed in to give her a touch-up, Farah joked, “Beautiful heroines always come with an entourage!”
Diana Penty’s kitchen. (Photo: Farah Khan/YouTube)
When asked how long she has lived there, Diana said: “Since my great-grandfather’s time, exactly 100 years ago. I am the fourth generation to live here.”
As Diana led her upstairs, Farah was momentarily speechless. “I just want to see what house this is!” she exclaimed. “We’ve seen a lot of big houses, but to find one like this in the heart of Mumbai…” Diana smiled modestly, “I guess I’m lucky.”
Upstairs living room. (Photo: Farah Khan/YouTube)
The filmmaker’s attention soon focused on the terrace garden, which she described as “absolutely beautiful.” Admiring the soft pastel interiors (pink sofas, floral cushions and antique lamps), Farah said: “Everything is so pretty… just like you.”
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Pointing to a curious centerpiece in the living room, Farah asked, “Please tell me, what is that merry-go-round-like thing in the middle?”
Diana laughed, “It’s been here since I was a child! Someone gave it to my grandfather or great-grandfather. I heard it might have come from a trade from World War II.”
Comparing Diana’s spacious house with Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat, Farah quipped: “Even a dance studio in Lokhandwala is not that big! This is as big as Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat hall.”
Diana jokingly disagreed, but Farah added: “I think I should call Shah Rukh here.” To which Diana smiled: “I would love to have Shah Rukh here!”