The North News
Chandigarh, June 12
Actress Payal Ghosh has finally bought her first home in Mumbai — a Rs 4-crore flat in Lokhandwala — but her journey to get here wasn’t paved in glamour. Behind the milestone lies a six-year-long struggle marred by rejection, stigma, and blatant judgement for being an actress.
While many may see this as just another celebrity real estate purchase, for Payal, this moment is deeply personal. The South film industry actor opened up about the emotional weight of finally owning property in a city that had, for years, refused to let her in — not because of money, but because of her profession.
“I cannot express in words how I feel about this day. I have been living in Mumbai for so many years and finally, to have a house of my own is special,” she said.
Despite being financially independent and ready to buy a home, Payal was repeatedly turned away by housing societies that didn’t want members of the film industry living among them.
“While Mumbai is known for its glitz and glory, there’s also a very dark side to it which no one talks about… Just because I am an actress, people have made their perceptions about me for the longest time,” she shared.
She revealed how she faced character assassination and slut-shaming during her house-hunting process — both as a tenant and later as a buyer.
“Here’s an independent woman who has earned her own money trying to buy her own house and all I get is rejections just because I am from the film industry. People like to gossip about women from the industry and slut-shame them… I was almost made to feel like I am a criminal who doesn’t belong to the society.”
After years of being treated as an outsider, someone finally agreed to sell her the property — a life-altering decision for the actor who had nearly lost hope.
“Finally, someone chose to keep my profession aside and engage in a deal with me that’s truly life-changing. It’s a dream come true moment for me and I want to thank God and all my fans and well-wishers for praying that I see this day.”
From judgment to joy, Payal’s story is a stark reminder that even in a city that celebrates dreams, bias still builds barriers. Her home isn’t just a new address — it’s a quiet victory.
