His new Mumbai home has been winning hearts ever since its first pictures appeared online. But more than the construction, it was the interior designing process that got actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui excited and involved.

“I never consciously planned to get a new house. Ghar hona chahiye — iss concept mein mera belief hi nahin tha. Someone showed me the plot, so I thought let’s do it (make a house). Things kept happening, and after I purchased it, I realised I had studied architecture and aesthetics at the National School of Drama. I had also studied scenic design in my first year. [As far as the interiors were concerned] I was clear that the minimal it is, the more impact it will have,” says the 47-year-old.

Located in Yari Road, Versova, it took him three years to complete the house, thanks to the pandemic. Siddiqui says a lot of hard work was invested into making the house and those associated with him during the process could relate to his emotions for the place, as he’s made a mark for himself after a lot of struggle.

“Logon ne kahin na kahin mera struggle dekha hai, shayad isi liye khushi hoti hai unhe. I don’t know main kitna rahunga uss ghar mein, kyunki meri aadhi life toh vanity van mein hi guzar gayi. Wahi toh rona hai. Zyaada time toh set pe hi rehta hoon,” says the actor.

But Siddiqui isn’t complaining. In fact, he likes to stay busy. “To keep working is important and that gives me a lot of happiness. About the house, it’s where I go and rest. I have only used three colours — wooden (brown), white and sky blue — in the entire house; you won’t find a fourth colour. There is also a garden, and a cabin, where I plan to read the scripts, and think,” the Sacred Games actor signs off.