Champagne Supernova

A wine connoisseur and luxury consultant, Gaurav Bhatia lives with his wife Pratima and some phenomenal pieces of art, which compete in age with his tipple of choice

- Rajashree Balaram

Art—in frames of varying shapes and sizes—is my first introduction to Gaurav Bhatia’s house. It is displayed in the foyer that leads to the entrance of the house, and, indeed, prepares you for the glut of art riches that lies within. Every piece has a distinctive voice that speaks of its cultural legacy, as well as the labour and love that went into its making. Perhaps that explains why, when you pay a visit to Gaurav—the former marketing director of Moët Hennessy India—and his fashion designer-wife Pratima’s house, you can spend an entire day just talking to the walls, and the floors.

PERSONAL CONNECT

The 2,400-square-foot, four-bedroom apartment, located on the first floor of an upscale high-rise in south Mumbai, has more than 100 paintings and twice as many artefacts and antiques handpicked from all over the world. It is a sumptuous visual feast that can even be a tad overwhelming at first. For this power couple, though, the packed gathering of diverse artistic statements is an integral part of their very identity. “We’ve collected art the way one would choose a life partner; we felt an instant connect with every piece when we first saw it,” says Gaurav. “Often in the evenings, we sit with a glass of champagne or wine and just stare at our walls, and feel so enriched.”