As Mumbai continues to reign as the go-to destination for celebrity real estate, with Bandra, Juhu, and Oshiwara leading the pack, Bollywood celebrities spent close to ₹400 crore on buying prime properties in 2024, according to the data sourced by Gurugram-based real estate platform Square Yards. A-list celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan invested heavily in real estate, along with his son Abhishek Bachchan, expanding his portfolio by adding 10 prime properties. Big B bought commercial and residential properties across Mumbai's Magathane, Mulund West, and Oshiwara areas, spending around ₹76.54 crore alone. Actor Shahid Kapoor set a new benchmark and invested ₹58.66 crore in an ultra-luxury residential property in Lower Parel.

Prithviraj Sukumaran of Prithviraj Productions followed with investment worth ₹30.60 crore for a residential property in Bandra. Big B's son Abhishek Bachchan pumped in around ₹30.19 crore to buy residential properties across Magaathane and Mulund West areas of Mumbai.

"Luxury high-rises with world-class amenities are another growing preference, as seen in Shahid Kapoor’s ₹59 crore purchase at Oberoi Three Sixty West in Lower Parel. At the same time, rising property prices are pushing smaller stars and TV actors to suburban neighbourhoods like Andheri, Malad, and Goregaon, which balance affordability with excellent connectivity and amenities. The ongoing trends highlight a shift in aspirations, with celebrities embracing real estate as a blend of lifestyle, status, and strategic financial growth,” says Kanika Gupta Shori, founder and COO, Square Yards.

The year also saw cricketer K.L. Rahul and actor Athiya Shetty buying a residential property in Bandra for ₹20 crore. Other celebrities who invested heavily in real estate and bagged spots among the top 10 Bollywood purchases in 2024 were Ranveer Singh's mother Anju Bhavnani (₹19.13 crore), Deepika Padukone & Prakash Padukone (KA Enterprises LLP, ₹17.78 crore), Madhavan Rangnathan (₹17.50 crore), Trimpti Dimri (₹14 crore) and Amish Tripathi (₹13.65 crore).

Talking about the exorbitant prices of luxury properties, Shori says these celebrity purchases are prized for their exclusivity and proximity to Bollywood’s vibrant ecosystem. "Today, celebrities see real estate not just as a lifestyle statement but as a strategic way to diversify their portfolios. Interestingly, since 2020, 63% of celebrity property transactions in Mumbai have been in residential spaces, while 33% have ventured into commercial properties—highlighting a clear move towards diversification."

As luxury real estate booms, Mumbai remains the obvious choice for celebrity real estate investments. However, celebrities are exploring investments even beyond the city. Amitabh Bachchan’s acquisitions in Ayodhya and Alibaug, Salman Khan’s holiday property in Panvel, and the increasing allure of Goa, with stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Akshay Kumar investing there, underscores this trend. On a global level, properties in Dubai, the U.K., the U.S.A., and Canada are gaining traction among Bollywood elites, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan, and Akshay Kumar.

Bollywood celebrities have always had a strong affinity for luxury real estate, with icons like Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, and Amitabh Bachchan making notable property investments during their prime years. Ashwin Chadha, CEO of India Sotheby's International Realty, says this trend has only intensified in recent years, with stars not only acquiring multiple high-end residential properties but also exploring commercial real estate for its promising returns.

"Weekend destinations such as Alibaug, Lonavala, and Goa have emerged as key hotspots for celebrity investments, offering both personal retreats and lucrative opportunities in the luxury rental market. For instance, Dharmendra owns a sprawling 100-acre farmhouse in Lonavala, Salman Khan a 150-acre property in Panvel, and Shah Rukh Khan a serene getaway in Alibaug. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma followed suit, purchasing a holiday home in Alibaug in 2022," says Chadha.

The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment for India's luxury real estate market, as high and ultra-high-end properties emerged as the preferred choice for the country's affluent as well as many real estate developers. Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru remained the hey hotspots, while the trend towards premiumisation i.e. larger, more luxurious homes with better surroundings, prompted developers to expand to traditional mid-end markets like Noida, Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai.

The biggest individual deals in the year 2024 were an upscale residential transaction worth ₹100 crore in Delhi. An ultra-luxury transaction for a 16,290 sq ft penthouse at DLF Camellias at ₹190 crore bagged the crown of India's most expensive purchase in 2024. Great White Global's purchase of two apartments in Oberoi Three Sixty West, Worli, Mumbai, for ₹225 crore, a ₹198 crore 13,809-sq-ft property deal by RR Kabel promoter, and a ₹263 crore three-flat deal in Lodha Malabar also featured among most expensive real estate buys in the year.