[imagesource:netflix]

For many, the life of sports billionaire Shahid Khan reads like a scene from a rags-to-riches movie.

The Pakistanian refugee spent his early years in America in a $2/night room at the university YMCA with his first job as a dishwasher earning $1.20 an hour. But then things took a turn for the better when his business sense kicked in.

In 1980, he bought the automotive company Flex-N-Gate from his former employer and made it rise to $8.89 billion in sales by 2020. While still the sole owner of the auto-parts maker, the American billionaire and sports tycoon is also the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) and Fulham F.C. of the Premier League, and co-owner of the American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), along with his son, Tony Khan.

But the story takes a turn for the cinematic when you look at his luxurious yacht, which was transferred to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Neither Khan nor Schmidt may have graced the silver screen, but the vessel that links them has. The superyacht Whisper (formerly Kismet), now in the hands of the $23 billion tech tycoon, stole the spotlight in the 2019 Netflix action thriller 6 Underground, where it even managed to outshine Ryan Reynolds’ charm.

According to Luxury Launches, the 95-metre Lürssen yacht was the backdrop for some heart-pounding action sequences, culminating in a jaw-dropping explosion — though, thankfully, it was all CGI. Far too stunning to meet such a fiery fate in real life, this breathtaking vessel is available for charter at a jaw-dropping $1.1 million per week – that’s over R19 million!

Image: Netflix

While 6 Underground held the title of Netflix’s most expensive production at the time, with a staggering $150 million budget, the opulent yacht Whisper — then known as Kismet — was worth an even more mind-blowing $200 million. Putting that in rands will break your brain, so I will spare you.

Crazy enough, even this floating palace was not perfect for the movie scene. Lacking a pool on its aft deck, the production team at Cinecittà Studios had to step in, crafting a replica for one unforgettable poolside scene. Catch that around the 2:22 mark in the trailer:

In reality, Whisper is a floating palace with every luxury you could dream of. It boasts multiple pools, including a stunning 12-metre mosaic-tiled pool with an integrated Jacuzzi, along with two spa pools for ultimate relaxation. Below deck, it features an impressive subterranean spa complete with a hammam, massage room, steam shower, and salon.

The yacht’s crowning jewel is its two-tier master suite on the owner’s private deck, which comes with a Jacuzzi and exclusive access to a helipad that, when not in use, doubles as a basketball court. Guests are treated like royalty in eight lavish suites and can indulge in an array of entertainment options, from a sprawling beach club and beauty salon to a cinema and gym. It’s a floating world of indulgence.

Image: Yacht Charter Fleet

The story of how Eric Schmidt came to own Whisper (ex-Kismet) is nothing short of remarkable. After months of trying and failing to take home the Oceanco yacht Alfa Nero — which he had won at auction for nearly $68 million — the frustrated billionaire decided to pivot.

In just four days, and with a staggering $60 million discount, Schmidt sealed the deal on Kismet for $158 million in 2023, long after the yacht had already made its unforgettable Netflix debut.

The game at the top just hits differently.

[source:luxurylaunches]