Arshad Warsi gives fans a sneak peek of his stunning 150-year-old Portuguese villa in Goa: Watch video
recently gave fans a sneak peek into his stunning home in Goa. He owns a charming 150-year-old Portuguese villa that he lovingly renovated alongside his wife, Maria Goretti. Sharing the tour on Instagram, Arshad also expressed his gratitude to his supporters for helping him fulfill his dream of owning a house in Goa.
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Heartfelt Message from Arshad Warsi
Sharing the video, the actor said, 'I just can't get enough of my beautiful house in Goa. Absolutely crazy about it. Every day, there is a new place to chill. Today, I have decided to sit on this side of the house. Look at it, there is so much of greenery. There are mangoes in one of my trees. It is time to sit here and relax and thank my stars and thank everybody who is responsible for giving me such a beautiful life.
Thank you.'
Celebrity Reactions to the House Tour
The house tour drew the attention of many celebrities.
reacted with a surprised 'OMG,' while
described the home as 'beautiful.'
also acknowledged the effort behind the restoration, saying, 'Please thank a beautiful lady called Maria who made this come alive.'
Inside Arshad Warsi's Villa
Warsi's house, Casa Zen, is a beautiful old villa in Goa with five big bedrooms, a nice poolside bar, and a lounge for up to 10 people.
The dining room has bright, tropical colours, and one room has a special blue wall made by his wife, Maria Goretti. The villa also has a cozy spot by the pool and a simple black-and-white room. Many old features like wooden windows and doors are kept to show its Goan-Portuguese style. The front door says, 'Peace to all who enter here.' The house has cool art, plants, and solar panels. It is available to rent for ₹75,000 per night.
Upcoming Project
On the work front, Arshad Warsi will be seen alongside
in the upcoming film 'Jolly LLB 3'.
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NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
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Fort Kochi, Kerala Why: A coastal time capsule where every wall tells a story Fort Kochi isn't just photogenic — it's cinematic. This small seaside neighbourhood in Kerala is a fusion of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences, with colonial-era buildings and fading pastel walls that look straight out of a Wes Anderson set. You'll spot Chinese fishing nets gently swaying over the Arabian Sea (best viewed at sunset), tree-lined lanes shaded by bougainvillaea, and art-filled cafes tucked behind antique doors. Don't miss the street murals that pop up across the city every year during the Kochi-Muziris Biennale — they're layered, local, and often political. Top shot: The vibrant Kashi Art Cafe lane or the fishing nets during golden hour. 2. Pondicherry's White Town, Tamil Nadu Why: Paris meets the tropics with a side of iced coffee The White Town neighbourhood in Pondicherry is a masterclass in colour coordination. 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The contrast is what makes it photogenic: centuries-old stone domes stand quietly behind neon signage and moody staircases. It's where fashion kids shoot lookbooks and creators find that gritty-but-glam backdrop for Reels. The bonus? Deer Park is right next door. Top shot: The dome-framed view of the Hauz Khas Lake from the old madrasa ruins. 4. Colaba, Mumbai Why: Maximum city's most stylish streets and stories Colaba is the kind of neighbourhood where you'll find a fashion editorial being shot outside a crumbling colonial building while someone else orders vada pav next to a Bentley. It's chaotic in the best way. The Gothic architecture of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the iconic Gateway of India, and the century-old art deco buildings all make this one of Mumbai's most visually compelling pockets. Add in colourful markets, art galleries, and the gorgeous dome of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel — and you've got endless content. 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The Print
19 hours ago
- The Print
‘What about Goanness?': Goa taxi drivers resist govt proposal to bring in app-based cabs
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The overall fear is that Goa is being taken over by non-Goans everywhere, whether it is the staff that works in the state's hotels and resorts, or at restaurants and shacks. 'If all jobs are done by non-Goans, then what is the Goa that the tourists will experience?' asked Goes. The Goa government last month published draft guidelines on enabling the entry of private app-based taxi aggregators in the state. While taxi drivers in Goa have staunchly resisted the idea, tourists have often complained about Goa's taxi drivers overcharging them, not being available at all times and so on. This April, a video of a tourist slamming Goa's cab drivers as 'mafia' had gone viral on social media platforms, after which the taxi union leaders filed a police complaint objecting to the remark. 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We are having consultations with different bodies of industry, the tourism sector, the common man. We have given everyone one month to take feedback. It is not that the guidelines are final.' Also Read: Goa's resentment toward outsiders and settlers is rising. Calangute tourist tax is a sign The many objections The foremost concern of local taxi drivers over the new draft guidelines of the Goa government is that none of them was called as stakeholders in discussions that were held in the run up to the formation of the draft. In the memorandum of objections that the drivers are submitting to the Goa transport department, they call themselves the 'primary stakeholders of Goa's transport business'. 'Our practical experience and insights into the local transport landscape are invaluable, and their omission has resulted in a document that appears to overlook the ground realities and welfare of existing operators,' the memorandum, seen by ThePrint, says. It adds that large cab aggregator companies will have vast resources and aggressive market strategies. They fear that these companies could easily monopolise the transport sector and drive out local operators. 'This would lead to a significant loss of income and employment for Goan families,' the memorandum adds. It further suggests that the role of aggregators should be limited to pick-up and drop facilities in Goa, and they should not be permitted to enter the area of tourism services. These include facilitating bookings for local sightseeing tours, transporting to and from events, spice plantation visits, cruise bookings and so on. The memorandum also says that app-based services will not work in Goa because the state lacks the supporting infrastructure in many places. At several tourist spots, it states, there is inconsistent and poor cellular phone network. Tourists will have trouble finding a cab, and drivers too might be unwilling to ply to such destinations. 'Mandating a system heavily reliant on smartphone applications will disproportionately disadvantage both taxi operators and tourists in these areas,' the memorandum adds. Finally, it says that the guidelines are not transparent regarding fare structure for aggregators. It asserts that the current fare structure for private taxis is also outdated and needs to be revised keeping in mind the increase in petrol and diesel prices. Anand Naik, a taxi driver based in Vasco da Gama, told ThePrint that most Goans have their own cars and two-wheelers and don't need taxis. It is the tourists who do. 'If the tourists start using aggregator services, what will happen to Goans like us who have been driving taxis for generations?' Naik asked. He said that aggregator services may not be feasible in Goa as a lot of journeys are one way. Drivers would have to return to their main stand without a fare, he explained. 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India Today
2 days ago
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How Goa plans to take tourism beyond sea and sand
Tourists visiting Goa will have more destinations on their to-do list in the coastal state in the future. The state cabinet has approved tourism infrastructure projects, such as Rs 121 crore town square project in Porvorim and the development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi near Ponda in North Khaunte, minister for tourism, said the town square in Porvorim is conceptualised as a first of its kind in the country. The town square, which is inspired by international landmarks such as New York's Times Square and London's Piccadilly Circus, will be designed as a community hub, and will host local artisans and create opportunities for employment and cultural town square will have a market court, welcome court, fountain court, movie court, heritage court, an Ashoka Stambh, and a clock tower. Of the estimated Rs 120.97 crore cost, Rs 90.74 crore will come from the Union government and the rest from the state government. It is expected to be completed by March who is a three-term MLA from Porvorim, said the town square will provide new avenues for artists and cultural entrepreneurs, and offer a modern space rooted in Goan heritage. This will be a heritage-linked public space that also promotes economic growth. It will be spread across 11,000 sq metres and operate round the year. Khaunte also announced the beautification of the Porvorim Creek and development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi. This will enhance Goa's cultural tourism the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, the rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be developed. This project will enhance the creek experience, encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa and Pomburpa Spring, extending up to Harvalem. Colva will also be redeveloped under the coastal component of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, and will be given upgraded facilities and public said around Rs 400 crore worth of tourism projects have been sanctioned for Goa by the Union government. He said it was important that tourists explore Goa beyond its sands and sea in order to develop deeper appreciation of the state's culture, heritage and hinterlands. The department has made efforts to showcase the state's tourism beyond its beaches and develop verticals such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism and 2023, Goa had 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists visiting. In 2024, Goa welcomed a higher 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend for tourism in Goa. While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination,' said the Economic Survey of Goa for department of tourism has said that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of to India Today Magazine
