Filmmaker Mansoor Khan, the son of veteran filmmaker Nasir Hussain, was widely expected to continue his family's successful cinematic legacy. He directed memorable films such as 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak', 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar', and 'Josh', earning appreciation for his distinct style. However, Mansoor always felt drawn to a quieter and less conventional lifestyle away from the film industry.
The Desire to Leave City Life
In a recent interview with Variety India, Mansoor reflected on the choices that shaped his personal journey. Having completed his engineering studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he revealed a long-held wish to move away from city life. His interests extended beyond films to include music, nature, and travel. “I wanted to be a vagabond. That’s why my heroes are like that,” he said. He added that his desire to step away from urban surroundings had existed for years. “We bought a plot of land in Mandwa in 1991 because I was sure I wanted to give up films. I enjoyed being there. By 1997, my land in Mandwa (coastal village in Raigad) was being acquired by the government for a proposed international airport. Mandwa did not work out and so, I shifted to Coonoor (Tamil Nadu) in 2003.”
Life in Coonoor: A New Experience
After relocating, Mansoor built a life in Coonoor surrounded by greenery and wildlife. He operated an organic cheese-making farm called Acres Wild for nearly two decades. Describing the experience, he said it brought him closer to nature and offered a very different lifestyle compared to Mumbai. “There are a lot of species there. We have elephants and leopards coming in along with ducks, chickens and geese. They all co-exist. Elephants go down to the plains, but return. The leopard is actually a timid cat. In fact, the elephant is far more dangerous than a leopard. Our guests have seen the leopard drinking water at night from the pots kept for them.”
Farmstay Became an Important Part of His Journey
Mansoor and his wife Tina also spent several years running a farmstay in Coonoor. The filmmaker shared that the experience allowed him to connect with visitors in a more personal way. “We ran a farm stay between 2010 and 2022. I spent time with the guests because it’s a home-stay, not a resort. I’d have breakfast with them and share conversations. Music is a deep passion, so I’d tell them about the music I’d composed. I play instruments, too. We even began cheese-making courses. Tina taught cheese-making to about 250 people. We closed the farmstays in 2022 as I needed time to write. Now, we’ve moved to another house in Coonoor.”
Writing Has Become Mansoor Khan's Current Focus
Currently, Mansoor is focusing on writing, having stepped away from the farmstay to dedicate time to his literary pursuits. His journey from Bollywood to organic farming and writing reflects a life lived on his own terms, embracing nature and creativity.
