With a modest beginning in Bollywood with JOSH, claim to fame as Dr. Asthana in MUNNABHAI M.B.B.S., today the actor is known to have carved a niche for himself, regarded as a powerhouse in the industry. We caught up with Boman Irani on a lazy afternoon who let us in on a few secrets...
From photography to Bollywood, how has the journey changed the person in you?
Well, there has been no change in me as person. Yes of course, there have been lifestyle changes, and I admit things have become a lot easier. I have matured over time, which is like in anyone's journey in life.
Do you feel you should have stepped into Bollywood a bit earlier on in your life?
Not at all. Not a day later. Not a day earlier. I feel I have come in the right era, where the current cinema has helped me to fit in. I would have been half as comfortable had I come in 25 years ago where I would have had to play the role of a hero, which would have not worked. Today, we have variety in cinema, from commercial to experimental, with different directors telling different stories in different styles. Cinema in the late 70's, 80's and 90's were meant for entertainment alone. However, today, the audiences are more involved and apart from cinema being meant to entertain, it is an art form as well.
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"There's no thing dream project; it becomes ideal when you work on it..." | You recently hosted the IIFA's with Riteish and Lara, which won you the praise of many.
The live show was a success, where the public had a good time, even on those who we did a few gags. They had a blast. Now, I am looking forward to the audience's reaction to the televised show.
Talking of your films, could you tell us a bit more about your role in Kunal Vijaykar's FRUIT N NUT?
FRUIT N NUT, which is ready for release, is a bizarre comedy, designed to be that way. It is about any old man played by me, who is probably in his early 100's, who feels he is the King of Mumbai and wants it back. It is an unusual form of humor in Indian cinema, which is what makes it interesting. It has Cyrus Broacha who plays the hero, along with Dia Mirza and Mahesh Manjrekar.
We believe KAUN BOLA is ready for release as well. How was your experience working in the film? We hear Dia Mirza has gone on to say that she had a blast with you on the shoots calling you ''Pops''.
KAUN BOLA is Arshad Warsi's maiden production, where we shot entirely at New Castle in England. For films shot abroad for a short span of time, usually you end up shooting and then everyone is keen on doing their own thing, so you don't end up meeting everyone. Here, we were together for a long period of time, where we ended up living almost like a family, right from the cast to the make up artistes; all of us. I know Dia right from LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI days and we share a great relation and are extremely fond of each other. It was wonderful working on the film. Owing to the strike, the film got delayed; however, it is ready to release now.
What about PERFECT MISMATCH with Anupam Kher and Nandana Sen? Could you tell us more about it?
PERFECT MISMATCH will release next month. It was shot a while ago, and is about an Indian marrying an Indian in a foreign land, where the in laws are at loggerheads with each other, one being from a chicken-eating Punjabi family, the other from a vegetarian teetotaler Gujarati family.
So what is really your basis for choosing the films that you do? Is comedy as a genre a conscious move on your part considering a predominant number of your films fall under that wing?
Well, it just happens. For me, the film has to work, my role must be strong and importantly, I must like the people associated with it. I am also doing Shyam Benegal's WELL DONE ABBA which is comedy as well, where the character has a ''real'' problem. So the character, film and people associated are what matters to me the most while choosing a film.
CHECK OUT: FRUIT N NUT Movie Preview
We hear Ravi Chopra's BANDA YEH BINDAAS HAI where you star along with Govinda, Tabu and Lara Dutta is stuck in a legal issue. Any signs of relief?
Well I cannot really tell you too much about it, but I just messaged Ravi Chopra a few days ago telling him we are with you, and he said all will be fine. So let's hope for the best.
Any director, actor or actress you would love to work with in future?
It would be interesting to work with Vishal Bhardwaj. Let's hope something comes up soon. He has made wonderful films. For me, there is no ''dream project''; it becomes ideal when you work on it.
Apart from films, we hear you are a religious person. So what is it that keeps Boman ticking?
I am a God fearing person if that gives you perspective. Religion is a means to discover the real you and be a better person. When religion becomes a rule book it becomes frightening. For me, it is private means to connect to the Lord.
For me, the strength of my family is most important. While my films are extremely important to me, nothing comes above my family and their responsibility. They are my driving force, motivating me to try and make them proud always.
- Reneta, Bollywood Trade News Network
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More about Boman Irani
- Movie Stills: Fruit N Nut
- Movie Stills: Perfect Mismatch
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