Karavali is where the stars come home to

He is Bollywood’s original action hero, but when it comes to his hometown, Suniel Shetty gets completely soppy. The actor, who has a strong emotional connect to his coastal roots, is currently busy renovating his ancestral home in Mulki, even though he owns a mansion in the vicinity. Likewise, a host of other B-town biggies also have a strong allegiance to their coastal roots and still retain a connection with their ancestral homes in Karavali.
1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Location of ancestral home: While her father Krishnaraj Rai hails from Deralakatte and mother Vrinda is from Manjeshwar, the light-eyed actor spent time at her uncle’s home on Balmatta New Road in the city. The house no longer exists and the family has since moved to a high-rise apartment in Mangalore. Last visit to the city: Aishwarya was born in Mangalore and even spent her early childhood with her grandparents and cousins in the city. Soon after she won the Miss World title, she came to her hometown and was felicitated at a huge Bunt convention. Aishwarya and Abhishek visited the city in 2007 to celebrate her father Krishnaraj Rai’s birthday. Ash is known to be close to her family back home.
2. Shah Rukh Khan
Location of ancestral home: Shah Rukh Khan grabbed the nation’s attention when he revealed his Kudla connection in an interview last year. Though the star’s ancestors don’t hail from this region, his grandfather Ifthikar Ahmed, the first chief engineer of the Mangalore port, lived in Panambur for five years. SRK also spent his early childhood at Harbour House with his mother and cousins.
3. Suniel Shetty
Location of ancestral home: The family home, Padumane, is situated behind the Bappanaadu temple in Mulki. The actor’s parents are from this town and the family now lives in Mumbai. Padumane was ravaged by time and Suniel is renovating it to look just like the original. His modern bungalow stands next to the older bungalow.
Last visit: Suniel is known to be fond of his hometown and never misses an opportunity to visit. He attends the annual Bappanaadu jaathre (temple fair) and visits the Dharmasthala temple. He also has a few business interests in Mangalore and is spotted at Bunt community functions as well.
4.Freida Pinto
Location of ancestral home: Pinto Wade, Freida’s family home, is in Neerude village near Bajpe. Her uncle, aunt and two cousins live in this home. Last visit: Freida’s father Frederick and mother Sylvia hail from Mangalore and the actor has in her interviews mentioned how she enjoyed many holidays during her childhood. “I’d like to visit my family home some time,” she is quoted to have said soon after Slumdog Millionaire’s success.
5. Shilpa Shetty
Location of ancestral home: Mudhalady House in Niddodi village near the famous Kateel temple. Shilpa’s aunt, uncle and cousins live here. Last visit: Shilpa has been consistently coming to Mangalore with her parents and sister Shamita to attend family functions, especially Bhootha Kola events. Soon after she tied the knot with Raj Kundra in 2011, Shilpa visited her ancestral home and even made a trip to Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple, a deity which she has much faith in. The actor’s last trip to Mangalore was in November 2013 to inaugurate a jewellery store, during which she specially requested for Mangalooru mallige (Mangalore jasmine) to adorn her hair.
— Contributed by Madhu Daithota