Back in 2012, when choreographer-turned-director Prabhu Dheva couldn’t find a suitable home for himself in Mumbai, he moved into a Lokhandwala apartment that was owned by Sridevi and her producer-husband Boney Kapoor.
They were not using the flat at the time as they were staying in a plush bungalow in Andheri (W). But on December 22, 2013, the couple’s bungalow was ravaged by a fire.
Within days of the incident, Prabhu promptly vacated their Lokhandwala apartment, foreseeing the family’s need for it.
Although the director is yet to find another home for himself, he is not stressed about his situation.
Adding that the reports that called him “homeless” and made him look like a ‘bechara’ (helpless) kept him amused, he laughs, before saying, “It has become national news. Even when I was in Chennai (three or four days ago), people came up to me and said, ‘We’ve heard you are homeless in Mumbai. How will you manage?’ It’s funny.”
He goes on to add that some people even offered him their homes. “I don’t understand what the fuss is all about. Since I was staying in their home, I vacated it for them when they needed it more than I did,” he says.
He goes on to add that some people even offered him their homes. “I don’t understand what the fuss is all about. Since I was staying in their home, I vacated it for them when they needed it more than I did,” he says.
The Kapoor family moved into the Lokhandwala apartment a few days ago. The 40-year-old, who celebrated New Year with his parents and kids in Mysore, returned to Mumbai on January 4. Since he didn’t have a place at the time, he checked into a hotel.
“My friends have zeroed in on four-five flats around the Andheri-Lokhandwala area. I hope to finalise one in a few days. It’s that simple. I don’t know why it has become such a big issue,” says Prabhu, adding that he can’t afford to buy a place in Mumbai yet.
Sonu Sood had suggested a place for Prabhu, but he declined saying “that place is too far away”.