Kunal Kemmu‘s family recently revisited their ancestral home in Srinagar, Kashmir, decades after leaving it behind. His sister, Karishma Khemu, documented the emotional visit on social media, offering a rare glimpse inside the family’s traditional multi-storey mansion. From handcrafted wooden balconies to exposed stone walls and nostalgic family stories, the house reflects the architectural charm and history of old Kashmir while preserving memories that have lasted generations.Reflecting on the moment, Karishma said in the video, “Jo ek raat me chhodna padha tha aaj saalo baad hum phirse unn Srinagar ki galiyon me se hote huye ghar ki daheleez tak pahaunch gaye (What we had to leave behind in one night… today, years later, we are walking through the streets of Srinagar and visiting our house).”Her mother fondly identified rooms that once belonged to different family members, recalling stories associated with each space.
Traditional Kashmiri architecture with wooden balconies and stone walls
The ancestral mansion showcases classic Kashmiri craftsmanship. The multi-storey property features carved wooden balconies supported by intricately designed pillars, decorative railings and traditional wooden window frames.The upper floors display exposed stone masonry paired with dark wooden shutters, while the ground floor combines plastered walls with large wooden doors and windows. Despite visible signs of agein, including faded paint, cracked plaster, worn timber and sagging wooden beams, the home continues to retain its heritage character.During the house tour, Karishma pointed out rooms that once served as family spaces.“This was my mom’s room. Dad used to study here…we used to sit here. Every room is a childhood memory,” she said.Her mother added, “When we got married, we used to sleep on the upper floor of the house,” while also recalling an incident from years ago: “My sister had once fallen from these staircases.”The nostalgic visit highlighted how deeply the home remains connected to the family’s personal history.
Kunal and Karishma Kemmu‘s mansion has now been divided into rental units
Karishma also revealed how the property has changed over time. The once-sprawling family mansion has now been divided into smaller rented accommodations.“This house is now divided into rooms. Each room is someone’s home on rent,” she shared, adding that several sections remained locked and there was no electricity in parts of the staircase during their visit.The transformation underscored the passage of time while preserving the emotional significance the house continues to hold for the family.
Kunal Kemmu on the work front
Away from this personal moment, Kunal Kemmu currently has a packed slate of projects. He’s back in front of the camera for ‘Golmaal 5’, shooting alongside director Rohit Shetty and the franchise’s familiar cast. On the directing side, he has confirmed that the script for a sequel to his hit directorial debut ‘Madgaon Express’ is ready and in development. He’s also set to appear in ‘Single Papa’ and the upcoming film ‘Vibe’, while stepping into a new role as host of the reality show ‘The Alliance’. Beyond acting and directing, Kemmu recently co-launched a production house, Drongo Films, with producer Chirag Nihalani.