Film actor, thespian and professional photographer Boman Irani entertained the Kolkata Parsi community on November 30^th at 52 Chowringhee for over an hour in his inimitable humorous style.

Being born posthumously (after his father’s demise) and suffering from a myriad of speech and cognitive learning disabilities, Boman always loved the theater. He emphasized  that each one of us should work hard at whatever we do, however insignificant the perceived outcome, as did he when he practiced diligently for a play he was told would run for a mere 3 shows, and eventually ran for over a decade!  Similarly he endured long hours of filming for a movie made on a handi-cam which never saw the light of day. Many years later an individual chanced upon this movie and offered him Rs. 2 lakhs as a token to act in his next film – which incidentally was nowhere on the horizon. Later he was asked to come and hear the story of this role in a film which eventually made history – that of the professor in Munna Bhai MBBS!

Boman regaled the audience with numerous little anecdotes about his early career. Recalling that whilst struggling to find an office space to display his photographs in South Mumbai, he was miraculously offered a low-rent but posh space at Breech Candy by the Russian Consulate. Knowing that this offer was “too good to be true”, with great trepidation he went for the signing of the contract. Whilst sitting across the table with pen in hand, suddenly he was told that there was one condition to the signing – and Boman felt, now the penny will drop! The only question he was asked was “Mr. Irani, are you a Parsi” as that was the pre-condition to getting the space. Urging the ‘youngsters’ to keep in mind what it means to ‘be a Parsi’ and stand up for diligence, the truth and morality always.

Between his constant joking about his wife, mother-in-law and aunts, he punctuated this with his life lessons − of having dreams, working hard and pursuing goals. His beautiful voice resonated within the auditorium as he sang a couple of songs ending with his personal favorite – “My Way”. Boman, the wonderful family man, humble entertainer and great mentor to his community, laid his soul bare for all to view and what a viewing was had by all those lucky enough to have been there!

Film actor, thespian and professional photographer Boman Irani entertained the Kolkata Parsi community on November 30^th at 52 Chowringhee for over an hour in his inimitable humorous style.

Being born posthumously (after his father’s demise) and suffering from a myriad