Film maker Mansoor Khan he may have appeared destined to continue his family’s successful film career. As the son of a veteran filmmaker Nasir Hussainmany expected him to remain deeply involved in the film industry. Over the years, he delivered memorable films including ‘Qayamat Se QayamatTak’, ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ and ‘Josh’. His work earned him appreciation and established him as a filmmaker of a different style. However, away from cinema, Mansoor always felt drawn to a quieter and less conventional lifestyle.
The desire to leave the city life was always there
In a chat with Variety India, Mansoor recently reflected on the choices that have shaped his personal journey. The filmmaker, who completed his engineering studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explained that he had long wanted to get away from city life. He also revealed that his interests extend beyond movies to include music, nature and travel experiences. Talking about his vision, Mansoor said, “I wanted to be a bagabundo. That’s why my heroes are like that.” He also explained that he had wanted to leave the urban environment for years. Mansoor said, “We bought a plot in Mandwa in 1991 because I was sure I wanted to give up films. I was happy. By 1997, my land in Mandwa (the coastal village of Raigad) was being acquired by the government to build an international airport. Mandwa didn’t work out, so I moved to Coonoor (Tamil Nadu) in 2003.”
Life in Coonoor brought a new experience to Mansoor Khan
After his relocation, Mansoor built a life in Coonoor surrounded by greenery and wildlife. Later, the filmmaker operated an organic cheese farm called Acres Wild for nearly two decades. He described the experience as bringing him closer to nature and offering a very different lifestyle compared to Mumbai.Speaking about the area, Mansoor said: “There are many species there. We have elephants and leopards coming in along with ducks, chickens and geese. They all live together. The elephants go down to the plains, but they come back. The leopard is really a shy cat. In fact, the elephant is much more dangerous to our guests than the water a leopard drinks at night. To them.”
Farmstay became an important part of Mansoor Khan’s journey
Mansoor and his wife Tina also spent several years running a farm in Coonoor. The filmmaker said that the experience allowed him to connect with visitors in a more personal way.
Which of Mansoor’s films do you think stands out the most?
Writing has become Mansoor Khan’s current focus
Mansoor said, “We did a farm stay between 2010 and 2022. I spent time with the guests because it’s a home stay, not a resort. I would have breakfast and share conversations with them. Music is a deep passion, so I would tell them about the music I composed. We also started learning instruments. We closed the farms to about 250 people in 2022 because I needed time to write. Now we have moved to another house in Coonoor.’
