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Rapping with Boman

Boman Irani, one of the most successful character actors in the country, speaks about his climb to the top

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.

HIS NICHE Boman Irani: `I would not want to do roles that someone has already made his own'

With 20 films in which he's played as many characters, and half a dozen in various stages of production, Boman Irani is undoubtedly one of the most successful character actors in the country. More so when you figure that he started acting in films just six years ago. From selling potato chips to shooting the most beautiful women in India to getting rave reviews for acting, he seems to have achieved so much. His credo: "To find one's calling is not the easiest thing in the world to do, but probably the most important."

His face is like clay and he can mould it to fit any character. Whether it is the mean Farukh Sethna in Being Cyrus or the steadfast editor who turns out to have feet of clay Deepak Suri in Page 3 or the unwittingly hilarious Dr. Asthana who meets his match in Munnabhai, he burrows deep below the skin and evolves into the character.

Neat little act

When he was in the State recently for an awards ceremony, together with Krish "Chikka" Srikkanth, he put together a neat little act like an encapsulated Reader's Digest edition: inspiring real-life anecdotes sprinkled with humour.

Just when one begins to wither slightly under the constant barrage of schoolboy jokes, Irani breaks out in to a full-throated rendition of "You are the World". Switching voices from Michael Jackson to Ray Charles and the rest of the pantheon, he had the audience completely in his thrall.

And he loved it. After the show, he was glad-handing like a politician but duty beckoned. We just couldn't afford any downtime for him to get over the performance high and settle down to a few quick questions.

You started doing photography in you early 30s. What were you doing before that?

I sold potato chips. Seriously, my family owned a small-scale chips business, Golden Wafers. My mom ran it and when she was ill, I began to run it.

How did photography turn from a hobby into a profession?

I had an old camera and used to go out and shoot on Sundays. Over time, I felt very strongly about doing more photography. People liked my work and I began getting assignments. From a Sunday photographer, I became a full-time photographer. I began by shooting sports and moved to fashion. I have shot several Miss Indias from the time that Diana Hayden entered the contest.

You credit Shiamak Davar with pushing you into acting and claim you were shy. Are you shy?

For the first 10 minutes; but don't tell my wife!

From theatre to films, was it an easy decision?

I held off for a long time. I knew my whole life would change and that I would have to give up photography. But I have done it and I am enjoying it. Photography has become a hobby again.

You have sung for a film (Home Delivery) and you gave an amazing performance tonight. What do you like to sing?

I sing quite a few songs. For me singing is part of the whole stage performance. But I don't like modern music. I might do a rap song for a film if the character is required to do it.

Are there any characters that you would like to play?

I would not want to do roles that someone has already made his own. Except perhaps something from Shakespeare. (Earlier in the show, he said he liked playing Daddy as he gets the tightest hugs from nymphets.)

At this point, a teenager asked him how it felt to be known wherever he went. Irani stood up, and drawing closer to the boy, told him with palpable sincerity: "There is something that each of us can do. Believe in yourself and you can achieve whatever you want, if you work hard."

SANDHYA MENDONCA

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