SRK’s Primer to Travelling the World
Shah Rukh Khan discusses how travel sparks his creativity, why he's not particularly passionate about food, and his decision to make his homes available for hire on Airbnb.
By Deepali Nandwani
I travel on work, but that doesn’t count as travel in the real sense of the term. On sets I am surrounded by 200 people, and while I won’t term my behaviour as play acting, I am always guarded. It is when I travel alone, or with family, that I believe I truly unwind.
So, what does travel mean to me?
Spending private time with family, bonding with the natural world around me, and letting my guard down.
Travel is liberating. I particularly love flights. The only time when I enjoy my solitude, though, at times, people do come and ask for a photograph, especially when I am flying in a commercial airline.
I have fond memories of the flight I took to New York to meet my son, who was studying there. The flight was liberating as I read a book, watched an old series, and even found time to write.
Travel has always been a constant in my life. My work has taken me all over the world, yet the joy of discovery always remains, whether it is the bliss of being in a new place or the opportunity to immerse myself in new cultures.
My earliest travel memory was from the time I lived in Delhi and travelled to Agra in that train which runs from Delhi to Agra. I had earned my first salary, ₹50 I think, so I decided to go see the Taj Mahal. It is the most amazing monument anywhere in the world. I remember I spent most of my money on that train journey and I had just enough left for a glass of lassi. In those days, I couldn’t afford hiring a hotel room for the night, much lesser a fancy hotel room.
Now, of course, I enjoy a more comfortable travel experience. If I were to list the destinations I like to travel to, the hotels I have enjoyed staying in, the food I have liked to eat, the list would be something like this:
London: The city is historic and I love its museums. It has a timeless allure. I have often caught the sunrise in the city having stayed up the entire night. I find the mornings in London to be very beautiful. I particularly like cold mornings in London. I can do normal things: spend time with friends and family, play soccer with my kids, visit museums and enjoy a peaceful lunch.
Delhi: Travelling to the city is like travelling back home. It holds a special place in my heart as I grew up in the city. I would love to visit the Red Fort, my haunt as a young man, but I can’t do that any longer. Just this once my friends and I sneaked out and spent some time at the Red Fort late in the evening, reliving our younger days. In Delhi, my favourite hotel is my home; people can now rent it out as a luxury stay on Airbnb! It is filled with keepsakes and mementos from Gauri (Khan) and my travels around the world.
The Red Fort lingers on in SRK's memories of Delhi, where he lived as a young man, before he moved to Mumbai.
London has a heritage and an artistic vibe.
Dubai: The emirate holds a special place in my life. I also own a home here in Palm Jumeirah; the city is my second home. I recently stayed at Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, and loved their hospitality and the luxury. I loved the view of Dubai Creek from the suite. What does one say about Dubai: from my own home to the luxurious dining spaces and restaurants, to adventure sports, Dubai has a lot to offer. If there is another place I stay in Dubai besides my home, it is the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, which is exceptionally designed and has a vantage view over the vibrant Dubai skyline.
Maldives: I had a family vacation at Jumeirah Vittaveli in Maldives a few years ago, and enjoyed its tranquil ambience and the natural beauty I was surrounded by. The gardens of the resort were a good place for some yoga, some handstand done against a perfect sunset. (Editor: Located in South Male atoll, the hotel is now taken over by Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and is known as Ozen Reserve Bolifushi.)
From his own home to the luxurious dining spaces and restaurants, to adventure sports, Dubai has a lot to offer.
Jumeirah Vittaveli in Maldives is now Ozen Reserve Bolifushi.
Los Angeles: I have a home in Los Angeles, which is also on Airbnb. I live there every time I am in LA. The Runyon Canyon Villa, as it is known, is situated close to all the amazing restaurants and nightclubs around, and has a large pool where I like to spend my vacations, soaking in the LA sun. The home itself has incredible views of the mountains around and the city lights. When we are not around, the home is on Airbnb for anyone to hire.
The cities that inspire me: I believe cities have a soul…they can inspire you and they can move you. If Delhi is the city of my childhood, Mumbai is the city of my dreams.Among the cities that have inspired me I count New York because of its diversity and artistic vibe; Paris, because of its rich history and culture; and Istanbul, with its unique blend of European and Asian cultures and the Bosphorus, is a fascinating destination.
SRK's home in LA, The Runyon Canyon Villa, is now on Airbnb.
Dining out: When it comes to food, I am a man with very few needs. Give me a good tandoori chicken, and I will be happy. I am not much of an eater. My food is any kind of chicken, normally grilled and some sprouts and salad. Excessive taste for extravagant food takes you away from the core of life.
But yes, travelling does mean dining out, and friends and family insist you join them. So, in London, I recently dined at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, a restaurant by the Ferragamo family, set in the 1000 acres of Il Borro Estate that belongs to the family. I enjoyed their handmade pastas, and I enjoyed the nature that surrounds the restaurant. The estate is huge and a beautiful location for a restaurant. I think I enjoyed the Tomato Fusilli with Mozzarella and Basil oil from the menu. I dined again at II Borro Tuscan, this time at its Dubai iteration.
There are several luxury restaurants in Dubai, but the food memory I cherish the most is of Al Ustad Special Kebab. They have some of the best kebabs I have eaten, particularly their mutton kebabs. I enjoy hearty Arabic food, particularly the kebabs and their mutton dishes, and I am lucky enough to have been invited for many private meals in Dubai by my wonderful friends there.
In Mumbai, I like the pastas at Mezzo Mezzo in JW Marriott, again because of their handmade quality. Shamiana at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a coffee shop I used to frequent in the early days of my career and even now, whenever I have the chance to travel to South Mumbai, I drop in. I have very fond memories of the coffee shop and the views it affords of the cityline.
In Delhi, I continue to be partial to the butter chicken from Moti Mahal, again a restaurant with a rich past. I am nostalgic about it. For Mughlai cuisine, I think no one can still surpass Karim’s. It has preserved the Mughlai food traditions and is a sanctuary at a time when everyone is giving up classic food and there is so much of experimentation.
