Guilty pleasures of the rich and famous

Folger aspires to own a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing as it is “a legend in its own right”
Image: Roland - Mexy Xavier

Roland Folger, Managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India
I have an extreme fondness for products tailored to suit my personality and those that can offer me a distinct look. I relish buying handmade shoes, tailored suits and customised watches. IWC is one of my favourites when it comes to design, but there are many other lesser-known Swiss watch brands that intrigue me.  

The ultimate luxury that I wish to own is the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. It was the world’s first supercar, an unparalleled combination of form and function that stuns the world to this day. A car like that graces the best automotive collections in the world. If I am not mistaken, there are only a handful of models in the world and despite the progressive evolution of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG (including the recently launched hypercar–Project One), the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing still tops my list of aspirational things to own. I believe it is a legend in its own right. After all, it has a cockpit, two doors and two wings!
 

For Jankulovski, the ultimate luxury would be to own an apartment in Monaco’s 49-storey La Tour Odeon tower
Image: Monaco - Shutterstock

Bojan Jankulovski, Head of operations, Maserati India
Every kid has a toy that she believes is her best friend and imagines it to be alive. For me, it was always my toy car. I dreamt about travelling around the world in it with great speed. From those times to now, heading Maserati’s India operations, life has come a long way. The Maserati Trident has truly been an inspiration and holding it makes me feel like I have achieved  my dream.

Luxury, for me, is the touch and feel of superior quality with an element of uniqueness and exclusivity. My beautiful luxury watches are my guilty pleasures that I don’t feel guilty about. The ultimate luxury for me would be to own an apartment in Monaco’s La Tour Odeon, which is a 49-storey tower. I have several Ralph Lauren suits and Hermes colognes, and the Château Cheval Blanc 1947 is my weakness. I love the Mediterranean Coast, a chateau off the coast would definitely be something worth possessing.


Pannu would love to own a Gulfstream G650ER that would help her travel anywhere she wishes
Image: Taapsee - Mexy Xavier

Taapsee Pannu, Actor
For me, luxury is anything that makes life comfortable and acts as a catalyst for what you want to do in life. As a kid, I believed I would be truly successful when I wouldn’t have to see the price tag of a product I wished to buy. I think I have more or less achieved that. Food is the one thing where I have never bothered to look at the right side of the menu. I love travelling and, if money wasn’t a limiting factor, I would love to own a Gulfstream G650ER jet that would help me go wherever I want, whenever. A villa in Monaco is also a good dream to have. Finally, I wish I get to own a time machine someday.

Image: Richa Chadha - Joshua Navalkar

Richa Chadha, Actor
Luxury is when you pay for an experience rather than a product. If it’s love at first sight, I don’t look at the price tag. I swear by Dior, and love sunglasses and watches by Chanel. Bags and shoes are my thing but I’m particular about not buying leather. I aspire to own a chopper that would run on biodiesel or renewable energy, and a house in Beverly Hills, overlooking Los Angeles and Hollywood.

Sunny Leone, Actor
Over the years, I have come to realise that luxury to me is all about service the second I step out of my home. Hotels, yachts, and travelling with ease, the way I would like to, whether that is private or first-class commercial.

I believe more in enjoying my experiences than a particular tangible item. You can’t put a price tag on good service. India specialises in some of the best services in the world. However, because I’m self-made, I still have some reservations in spending the way I want. But if I really want something, I could go out and get it. I’m irrevocably in love with my cars, watches from Rolex and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

Growing up, I wanted to be a millionaire by the age of 25, have nice cars and the ability to do anything I wanted at any second. I’ve achieved those goals and so, today, I’m more interested in experiencing life.

I would want to own an island in the Caribbean with a huge mansion and all the luxuries I can think of, with a huge yacht parked outside to take day trips in the water. Add a private plane as well on the island to take me to Miami to experience the city and night life.

Huma Qureshi,  Actor
My obsession is shoes. I can’t resist buying a pair of shoes, especially when I’m travelling. It would be safe to say that I’ve bought a pair from wherever I have travelled to and I’m proud of my collection. The one car I’ve always wanted is the Rolls-Royce Phantom. I’ve dreamt of owning it ever since I can remember.