Airbnb’s Icons will see actress Janhvi Kapoor receive guests at her stunningly serene home by the beach in Chennai. Done up primarily in white and warm tones, the beach home has an element of wanderlust yet a cosy vibe. A t2 chat with the pretty actress on the experience and more.
What are your memories of your Chennai home?
Growing up, we spent a lot of our weekends here at our Chennai home. It has always been a special part of my childhood and Khushi (sister) and I would always be thrilled to come here! Looking back, every time we visited the place, there has always been a happy and wholesome set of memories attached to it. I have always believed in the simplicity of things — my Chennai home has been nothing but the perfect beach getaway for the Kapoor family. Chatting, laughing and bingeing on the most wholesome Ghee Podi Rice, Andhra Biryani, Palkova and Pesarattu dosas in our dining room have been the most special bonding moments.
What makes it even more special is my mom’s (Sridevi) painting hanging in the dining room; it always reminds me of her love for art! The Kapoor’s are big-time chillers — with the beachy wind, the salty air, we absolutely love spending quality time by the pool. Catching up on some reading, sipping on a cup of coffee, trying my hand at my mom’s all-natural skincare remedies are few of the things I spend my time doing here. As I love to call it — “my perfect beach getaway home”!
Tell us how the association with Airbnb came about…
As an actor and growing up in the film industry, a huge part of our lives has always been centred around the love the audience has showered upon us. All thanks to Airbnb, I now get to share a big part of my life with my fans, which has so far only been within the family.
This home has always been a haven for the Kapoor family and sharing it with a trusted partner like Airbnb assures us that it’ll be in good hands. Sharing these personal experiences with select lucky guests is something I am looking forward to! I’m excited for them to experience a serene and uplifting environment.
They’ll have the opportunity to embrace our family customs, such as lounging by the pool, enjoying my most favourite South Indian dishes, engaging in yoga, experimenting with my mother’s homemade skincare secrets, and, above all, forging unforgettable moments. Over and above that, I am looking forward to treating my guests with warmth, just the way I feel when I enter this home — a happy and wholesome experience is what I wish for them!
What are your favourite travel memories?
I have always believed that travel has the power to mend the soul. Being someone who loves adventure and trying my hand at different things, whenever I get a break from work, the first thing I like to do is plan a trip! Looking back on our childhood, Khushi and I have had our happiest moments on family trips! My dad, someone who is all about adventure himself, made sure to plan several trips as we were growing up. One particular trip that stands out to me is our holiday in Italy. Renting a boat and swimming in the pristine waters was memorable, but what truly thrilled me was our road trip. We lived in some of the most aesthetic Airbnbs alongside the Southwest coast, with rustic tones and insane views! We hired a spacious RV, traversed enchanting winding roads, blasted South Indian music, and laughed our hearts out. It’s experiences like these that hold the most nostalgia and significance for me.
If you were to host five famous personalities, who would they be?
This is a tough one! Considering the wholesome, aesthetic, and rejuvenating aura that is felt once we enter our Chennai home, I would love to host Sonam (Kapoor) didi and her family as they are always ever-so-excited about travel and exploring new places. Rekha ma’am has always been someone I’ve always looked up to, hosting her in my home would be a true honour! I would also love to host my close friends at our Chennai home as I feel the sense of warmth and comfort the home generates would just multiply with my close ones around me.
What’s next on your travel destination list?
Being an ardent fan of the beach, I am always looking forward to exploring any place that’s near the ocean. The Amalfi Coast and Positano are always a favourite for me.
