I had this dream of owning a house: Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday fulfilled his long cherished dream of living in a house of his own as he moved into a sprawling bungalow at Perry Cross Road in suburban Bandra.

Tendulkar has shifted his residence from La Mer Housing Society, also in Bandra west, to the spacious villa that is
spread over 6,000 square feet. 

"Everyone has a dream of owning a house. I, too, had this dream. I am happy that I was able to fulfil it. The flat where I earlier used to live, I had received it under the sports quota. I have now vacated that place, so that some other sportsman can live there," he told reporters outside his villa. 

"We had done the gruha shanti and vastu-puja on June 11, before I left for England. I could not visit Mumbai after that, but now that I am in the city, today I brought my mother to show the place," the senior cricketer said. 

"I have also lived here after the puja. But I have not been able to bring the children here yet," he said.

Photographs: Sahil Salvi

The batting maestro's new home has been reconstructed on a plot that earlier housed a dilapidated bungalow, which
Sachin had bought for Rs 39 crore in 2007. 

The villa has been secured with high-walled fencing to avoid curious onlookers. CCTV cameras and sensors have also
been installed. 

Besides the three storeys above the ground level, the villa, designed after taking into consideration Tendulkar's likes and dislikes, reportedly has two underground basements. 

According to sources close to Tendulkar, 90 per cent of the shifting process has been completed.

According to reports, Tendulkar and his wife Anjali are likely to have their bedroom on the top floor, while the rooms
of their two children -- son Arjun and daughter Sara -- and a guest room will occupy the two floors below.

A temple, drawing and dining rooms, besides arrangements for displaying various awards and trophies won by Tendulkar, who holds most of the batting records and is one short of completing a century of international tons, will occupy most of the ground floor.