WHILE he made us laugh in Munna Bhai MBBS, we hated him in Jolly LLB and danced with him in Happy New Year.
Actor Boman Irani walked into the world of cinema at the age of 41 with Everybody Says I’m Fine! Before becoming a successful actor, the 55-year-old was a waiter, sold burritos, and did a stint as an automobile photographer. With over 60 films (over the past 14 years) on his resume, Irani is easily one of the most talented actors in the industry and one who has come a long way in a short span of time. Despite his share of flops-with films like Housefull 2 and Game, the Mumbai-based actor is optimistic about this year’s outings. Catch him in his upcoming movies like Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale, which is a rom-com; Housefull 3 by Sajid-Farhad, a comedy; and The Legend of Michael Mishra by director Manish Jha, which also stars his son, Kayoze Irani. There is also Bengal Tiger, Irani’s second Telugu outing. He has also recently started endorsing products like the air freshner brand, Ambi Pur.
Love of heights
Talking about his quick climb in the film industry, he says, “An actor’s journey and a person’s journey run parallel. As you are evolving as a person, you evolve as an actor too-from life experiences, knowledge and emotion.” Having worked with both the Khans – Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan – we wonder if Irani has any favourites. “Well, my wife is my favourite. Of course, I’m joking, but besides that my Happy New Year team is very close to me,” says Irani. No matter the genre, Irani plays them all with ease. “If you ask me, it is the endeavour to make a character real, yet interesting that matters the most,” justifies the former theatre artiste who wants to try his hand at a period drama. Critics call him perfect, but the actor is modest. “Every film is different. The only thing I keep track of is not getting into a comfort zone,” he says. The PK actor is known for his unusual choice of films. “By being afraid and then overcoming that fear to play a role that I have signed on for, is how I motivate myself,” he says. Inspired by actor Balraj Sahani, Irani believes that a frustrated actor can deliver better. He says an actor should be unfulfilled at all times because it is only when the actor is angry, that he or she will work harder and give better results.