18 August,2026 01:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shah Rukh Khan. Pic via AFP
A rather unexpected visitor turned up at Shah Rukh Khan's iconic Mumbai residence, Mannat, on Monday evening. Two snakes were spotted on the property, prompting a rescue operation at the Bandra bungalow. Thankfully, there was no dramatic face-off worthy of a Bollywood thriller; the reptile was identified as a non-venomous Dhaman, or Indian rat snake, and was safely rescued.
According to Hindustan Times, snake rescuer Vicky Dubey received a call around 8 pm after two snakes were spotted moving around the premises. Dubey immediately alerted Forest Department officials and the Mumbai Range Office, Thane, before heading to Mannat.
Once at the bungalow, a Dhaman was found hiding beneath a staircase in the courtyard. The snake appeared frightened and remained coiled as the rescuers approached. It was subsequently rescued and released into its natural habitat in accordance with Forest Department guidelines.
Dubey also explained to those present that there was no reason to panic. While one snake was safely taken away, the second escaped from the property after being startled by the movement of people around it.
Interestingly, the Mannat incident comes months after a similar episode at Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartment. Earlier this year, a snake was reportedly rescued from the premises where Salman lives with his family. A snake wrangler was called in and managed to safely catch the reptile before handing it over to the authorities.
So, while Bollywood's biggest stars are used to dealing with action sequences, this was one unexpected stunt that certainly wasn't part of any script.
Away from the surprise reptilian guest, Shah Rukh Khan is currently busy with his upcoming action entertainer King. The film has generated considerable buzz, not least because it will mark daughter Suhana Khan's theatrical debut following her screen debut in Zoya Akhtar's The Archies on Netflix.
King reportedly takes inspiration from the 1994 cult classic Leon: The Professional, with Shah Rukh playing a veteran hitman who becomes the protector of a young girl.
The film boasts a packed ensemble, with Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal and Jaideep Ahlawat among the actors in key roles.
For now, though, Mannat has had its own unexpected action sequence. Fortunately, the story ended with the snake being rescued safely rather than becoming another headline-making celebrity encounter.
