Akshay Kumar's 'Bhooth Bangla' co-star Mithila Palkar is living in a cosy 700-sq-ft Mumbai home where her grandmother's antique utensils & childhood memories take centre stage

Actor Mithila Palkar has given a peek inside her 700-square-foot Mumbai home, and the space is every bit as warm and personal as you would expect. Designed by her longtime best friend Rutuja Tulsulkar, the apartment combines natural light, white walls, light wood, earthy shades and carefully placed pops of colour.

As featured by Architectural Digest, the home was designed around Mithila’s love for an airy, uncluttered space. But beneath the clean interiors are plenty of nostalgic touches, from cane furniture inspired by her grandparents’ home to family photographs and treasured kitchenware.

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Inside Mithila Palkar’s 700-sq-ft Mumbai home filled with colour, light and childhood memories

When Mithila decided to buy her own home, she apparently already knew exactly what she wanted. Big windows, plenty of natural light, white walls, light wood and a rust-coloured sofa were all on her wishlist.

“When I decided to get my own place, I always knew that I wanted a place with a lot of natural light,” Mithila told Architectural Digest.

She also wanted the apartment to feel cosy without looking crowded. “I wanted big windows, I knew that I wanted white walls, I wanted a rust sofa, I am very specific about that. I wanted light wood and I wanted colours and elements that would just open the space up and not cramp it too much. So that it feels very airy and cosy.”

Her designer and best friend Rutuja managed to bring those ideas together while keeping the apartment functional.

“I was just glad that I could get all the elements that I wanted in my dream home,” Mithila said. “Thanks to my bestest friend, who happens to be my designer, Rituja Tursulkar. She managed to tie all the elements in with her absolutely amazing sense of design. And built this dream home for me.”

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A best friend designed Mithila’s dream home

The interiors are also a reflection of Mithila and Rutuja’s friendship, which goes back more than a decade. In fact, Mithila had apparently decided years ago that Rutuja would design her first home.

“Since Rutuja started studying design, I knew that my first house will be designed by her,” Mithila said.

Working together as friends and professionals could have been tricky, but Mithila says the project ultimately brought them even closer.

“It was such a huge gamble, we were working together as professionals and it can go south. But if anything, it has only brought us closer together,” she added.

For Rutuja, knowing Mithila for so long meant she could create a home that felt genuinely personal rather than simply following a design trend.

“It was a very fluid process. We are not just best friends but we share an aesthetic sense. Anyone who knows her, knows that she is a warm, kind person. And I wanted to capture her personality, no filter,” Rutuja said.

Clever storage makes the small space work harder

At just 700 square feet, every bit of space matters. The interiors therefore combine style with practical storage solutions, with loft and duct spaces being cleverly used to keep everyday clutter out of sight.

The overall palette of white walls, light wood, white terrazzo flooring and muted grey tones also helps the apartment feel more spacious. A bespoke living-room table even features a discreet charging disc, showing how small practical details have been worked into the design.

The bedroom was also planned with Vastu considerations. Rather than positioning a full-length mirror directly opposite the bed, the mirror was incorporated into the wardrobe and can be slid away.

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Childhood memories inspired Mithila’s home

The apartment may have a contemporary feel, but its roots are firmly connected to Mithila’s childhood. She has spoken about visiting her grandparents’ Portuguese-era home, built in the late 1930s, where large open spaces and plenty of ventilation left an impression on her.

That influence can be seen in her own home, particularly in the emphasis on light, openness and natural-looking materials.

“The cleaner the design, the more calming the space is for me,” Mithila said.

The cane furniture is a nod to an old rocking chair from her grandparents’ house, while the white terrazzo flooring takes inspiration from her parents’ home.

Even the layout reflects Mithila’s personality. Instead of a conventional dining room, she chose a breakfast nook beside the open kitchen, creating a more relaxed spot for everyday meals.

Colour adds personality without overwhelming the interiors

Although the apartment follows a relatively understated palette, Mithila did not want it to feel bland. Pops of colour, including her much-loved rust sofa, bring warmth into the space.

A tropical mural in the master bedroom adds another playful element while still fitting into the overall aesthetic. The result is a home where colour is used sparingly but effectively.

Rutuja gave the apartment the fitting name ‘House of Harmony’, reflecting the way its different materials, colours and personal objects come together.

Actor Amey Wagh summed up the transformation rather neatly, describing the apartment as, “It feels like a grown up’s house.”

Family memories are at the heart of the Mumbai home

Perhaps the most personal feature is the picture wall running alongside the kitchen, filled with family memories. Mithila’s parents and grandmother have also played a role in making the apartment feel like home.

Her grandmother, in particular, helped set up the kitchen during her first visit. She gave Mithila antique brass utensils, along with spices and flour, based on a list of essentials she had prepared for her granddaughter.

Mithila’s parents have also clearly taken to the new space, with the guest bedroom becoming their favourite place to stay during visits.

“It is extremely cute to see them take on that sort of ownership and have them come by so often,” Mithila said.

Mithila Palkar’s upcoming projects

On the work front, Mithila has had a busy 2026, with appearances in Vir Das’ spy comedy ‘Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos’ and Priyadarshan’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’.

She is also set to headline ‘Ikroop’, an upcoming crime drama produced by Ali Abbas Zafar. Mithila plays the titular character, with the cast also including Gauahar Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Swanand Kirkire and Kumud Mishra. The teaser was unveiled in July, with the series slated to premiere on ZEE5.