‘Bhooth Bangla’ actress Mithila Palkar has opened the doors to her dreamy 700-square-foot Mumbai home, offering a glimpse into a space that reflects her personality, childhood memories and love for uncluttered design. Created by her longtime best friend and designer Rutuja Tulsulkar, the apartment brings together natural light, white walls, light wood, earthy tones and carefully chosen pops of colour. From a rust-coloured sofa to nostalgic cane details and a picture wall filled with family memories, every corner of the home has a story to tell.
Mithila Palkar wanted natural light and an airy home
According to Architectural Digest, when Mithila decided to buy her own home, she already had a fairly clear picture of what she wanted. Natural light, large windows, white walls and light wood were among her priorities, while a rust sofa was one detail she was particularly particular about.“When I decided to get my own place, I always knew that I wanted a place with a lot of natural light,” Mithila said.“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.”The actor says she was ultimately able to bring together the elements she had envisioned, thanks in large part to Rutuja, who understood her aesthetic and translated it into the home.“I was just glad that I could get all the elements that I wanted in my dream home. 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.”
A decade-long friendship shaped Mithila Palkar’s Mumbai home
The apartment is also a celebration of Mithila and Rutuja’s friendship. The two have known each other for more than a decade, and Mithila had apparently decided long before buying a house that Rutuja would be the person to design it.“Since Rutuja started studying design, I knew that my first house will be designed by her,” Mithila said.The decision came with its own risks, especially because the two were now working together professionally. However, the experience ultimately strengthened their friendship.“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,” Mithila added.For Rutuja, their longstanding friendship made it easier to understand the actor’s personality and translate it into the interiors.“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.
Light wood, white terrazzo and clever storage maximise the space at Mithila Palkar’s home
With Mumbai homes often limited in size, functionality was a major consideration. Mithila’s childhood memories also influenced the way she wanted her apartment to feel. She recalls growing up visiting her grandparents’ Portuguese-era home, which was built in the late 1930s and featured expansive open spaces. That connection made light and ventilation particularly important in her own home. A white-washed palette, light wood, white terrazzo flooring and muted grey tones help create the sense of openness she wanted.The design also incorporates practical details without compromising on aesthetics. Storage has been built into loft and duct spaces, while smaller touches include a discreet charging disc integrated into a bespoke living-room end table. The bedroom, meanwhile, was designed with Vastu considerations in mind. Instead of having the bed face a full-length mirror, the mirror has been incorporated into the wardrobe and can be slid away, leaving the actor with an unobstructed view of the seascape.
Mithila Palkar’s home is rooted in nostalgia
Beyond its minimalist aesthetic, the apartment is filled with references to Mithila’s childhood and family home. She describes the cleaner design as something that helps her feel calm, while the earthy palette and organic forms give the apartment a warm, lived-in quality.“The cleaner the design, the more calming the space is for me,” Mithila noted.Her design sensibilities have evolved over the years, something her friend and fellow actor Amey Wagh captured when he described the apartment as, “It feels like a grown up’s house.”Several elements carry personal memories. Cane furniture is reminiscent of an old rocking chair at her grandparents’ home, while the white terrazzo flooring echoes the flooring in her parents’ house. Instead of a formal dining area, Mithila opted for a breakfast nook next to the open kitchen, reflecting her preference for a more intimate and comfortable setup.Even the use of colour has been restrained. A tropical mural in the master bedroom adds personality without overwhelming the space. Rutuja aptly christened the apartment the ‘House of Harmony’, with its individual elements designed to blend into one cohesive aesthetic.
Family memories take centre stage at Mithila Palkar’s home
Family is another important part of the home. A picture wall running alongside the kitchen adds a deeply personal touch, while the apartment also became a space for Mithila’s parents and grandmother to make their own. Rutuja says she knew how important Mithila’s family was to her, having been friends with the actor since school.When Mithila’s grandmother visited the home for the first time, the kitchen immediately caught her attention. She even played a hands-on role in helping Mithila set it up, giving her antique brass utensils, spices and flour as part of a carefully prepared list of essentials for her new kitchen.Mithila’s parents have also embraced the space, with the guest bedroom becoming their preferred spot when they visit.“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 current work slate
On the work front, Mithila Palkar was recently seen in Vir Das’ spy comedy ‘Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos’ and Priyadarshan’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’, both released in 2026. She is also set to headline ‘Ikroop’, an upcoming crime drama produced by Ali Abbas Zafar, with Mithila playing the titular character. The film’s teaser was unveiled in July and it is slated to premiere on ZEE5. The cast also includes Gauahar Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Swanand Kirkire and Kumud Mishra.
