“3 Idiots” might have gone on to become Hindi cinema’s highest grosser till date with record collections of about Rs.400 crore (Rs.4 billion). But actor Boman Irani, who will be seen next in Shyam Benegal’s “Well Done Abba”, says the movie still awaits its true test.
“The euphoria of ‘3 Idiots’ never died down. There’s great value for it...(but) at this point of time it’s a little premature. The true test of the movie is not how much money it makes, but whether after 10 years if people recall it as a reference point and in fun as part of their movie conversation,” Boman told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.
“Very few movies remain in public memory as landmark films and I want to see whether ‘3 Idiots’ will be up there with some of the wonderful films that have come out of this country...Hopefully, we’ll come to know in a few years whether it can become one of the great films,” he added.
Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, “3 Idiots” also starred Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor.
After a humble beginning with Mansoor Khan’s “Josh” in 2000, Boman shot to fame as the eccentric doctor J.C. Asthana in Hirani’s “Munnabhai M.B.B.S.” and followed it up with the portrayal of a Sikh property dealer Lucky Singh in “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”.
While both the movies gave him new nicknames, Boman says he likes his monicker ‘Virus’ (Viru Sahastrabudhhe) from “3 Idiots” as well.
“I am very proud to be a part of ‘3 Idiots’ and happy that the character has worked in a big way. The wonderful thing is I used to be called Mamu (from ‘Munnabhai M.B.B.S’) earlier, then Lucky Singh happened for a while and now I am called Virus,” said Boman.
