Whether Lonavla or London, Jackie Shroff chases thrills of a different kind: it could be butterflies or even bees, writes SHIKHA JAIN
Earth man
I’m a sea, mountain and land person because being in Mumbai, we are coastal boys. Mumbai is an island, so there is water on all four sides. Hence we have a lot of salt in our bodies and we are used to it as well. But Matheran is very close to Mumbai, and so is Khandala and it’s always a pleasure to travel that distance just to feel the mountain air. Given a choice, I’d go to the mountains during the cold season and come down to Mumbai city during the rains. I love my rains, my city and its seaside during the season. I walk in the rain, cry in the rain and sit in the rain. I watch the puddle, make a boat and sail it. I haven’t forgotten my childhood and no one should.
Proximity wins
I like to drive. So, I like to go to Goa, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala. I don’t like places that are far away from Mumbai. I’m not one of those who wants to discover or explore the world before I die.
Phone-free on the farm
Ladakh, Dharamsala, Sikkim and Goa – these are the places I’d love to go to when I’m in the mood for holidaying. Also, Sikkim is the only organic state in India. If I’m travelling with family, then I pick a place where everyone can be together and enjoy it. But when I’m travelling alone, I can stay in a shack on the beach, a boat or anywhere…depending on my mood. I go on digital detox as much as I can. When I’m on the farm, I don’t touch my phone except if I see a butterfly or some bees or a beautiful flower because then I take pictures. That’s the only time I use a device.
Hot faves
Beyond India, the best place is New Zealand – Queenstown, Christchurch – these are the places I really love. The other place I like is London because you sleep here and you wake up there, so, it’s easier. It’s like you go, watch a film, pass out and have breakfast in London. You leave from there, you sleep in the night and your breakfast is in Mumbai. So, that many hours is okay. I haven’t had any sort of horrible travel experience as yet because I find something or the other interesting. I look at the trees, the artwork around there, heritage buildings, people.
Travelling light
I would rather buy clothes from the place I visit. If I’m travelling abroad then I just take one warm thing if it’s cold out there and buy everything else from there…right from my inners to my jeans. In India, while travelling I carry my set of dhoti-kurta, a pair of jeans, one formal outfit and my shades – and everyone should. These are my must-haves.
Bucket list
My bucket list is about cleaning the air, to start with. Mumbai is heading towards the same situation as Delhi, but we are lucky that we are an island and we have air around us. The rest of the places are terrible and the children suffer there the maximum. Who is your friend? Someone who gives oxygen and takes carbon dioxide from your body. One needs to oxygenate one’s brain first over everything else. People are not looking at the ground realities – the food we consume, the water we drink and the air we breathe.
