Boman Irani is an Indian actor and photographer who works predominantly in Bollywood films. He is known for his roles in films like ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ (2003), ‘3 Idiots’ (2009), ‘Housefull’ (2010), ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’ (2012), and ‘Happy New Year’ (2014).
Wiki/Biography
Boman Irani was born on Wednesday, 2 December 1959 (age 64 years; as of 2023), at Nagpada, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. Boman Irani completed his schooling at St. Mary’s School in Mumbai. He pursued a polytechnic diploma course (2-year waiter course) at the Mithibai College of Arts, in Mumbai. Boman Irani is settled in Mumbai.
Boman Irani’s childhood photo
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′ 2″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 42″, Waist: 34″, Biceps: 16″
Family
Parents & Siblings
Boman Irani’s mother was Jerbanoo Irani, and she passed away at the age of 94 on 9 June 2021.
Boman Irani with his mother, Jerbanoo Irani
His father passed away in May 1959, 6 months before Boman Irani was born. Boman Irani has 3 sisters, Roshan Irani, Shirin Irani, and Shehnaz Irani. One of his sisters, Roshan Irani, runs the Empress Garden Restaurant in Delhi.
Childhood photo of Boman Irani (carried in arms) with his sisters, Shirin Irani, and Shehnaz Irani
Boman Irani (standing) with his wife, Zenobia Irani (sitting on the right), and sister, Roshan Irani (sitting on the left)
Wife & Children
Boman Irani got married to Zenobia Irani on 28 January 1985. Zenobia is a homemaker.
Boman Irani with his wife Zenobia Irani
The couple later got blessed with two sons, Danesh Irani, and Kayoze Irani. Danesh Irani is the Principal co-founder at Irani Movietone and also works for Dharma Productions. Kayoze Irani is an Indian actor and film director.
Boman Irani with his son Danesh Irani (left)
Boman Irani with his son Kayoze Irani (left)
Relationships/Affairs
Boman Irani started dating Zenobia Irani in 1982, before getting married to her in 1985.
Religion
Boman Irani follows Zoroastrianism and is a Parsi.
Boman Irani celebrating the Persian New Year ‘Navroz’
Signature/Autograph
Boman Irani’s autograph
Career
Photography
After working at the Taj Hotel, Boman Irani purchased his first professional camera and started taking pictures of his school football. He sold his clicked pictures at Rs. 20-30. At the age of 32, Boman Irani went to meet Aspy Adajania, the Indian boxer and the then president of the Olympic Boxing Association of India. Boman requested him to hire him as a photographer to click the Boxing World Cup’s pictures, which the president denied. However, Boman Irani worked in the office of Adajania for six months and clicked pictures of a state championship. After seeing his work, Aspy Adajania was so impressed that he hired Boman Irani as the official photographer. He became the official photographer for the Norwegian boxing team and clicked pictures of the boxer Ole Klemetson. Later, Boman Irani started charging Rs. 3000 per photography session and eventually price rose to Rs. 10,000-20,000.
Theatre
From 1981 to 1983, Boman Irani started training under the acting coach Hansraj Siddhia. Shiamak Davar (Indian choreographer) took Boman Irani to the Indian filmmaker and theatre personality Alyque Padamsee, and he became Boman’s mentor. Alyque Padamsee offered a small cameo role to Boman Irani in the play ‘Roshni,’ which was performed at a regional theatre in Versova, Mumbai. After watching his performance, Rahul da Cunha (Indian film director) offered Boman Irani a role in the play ‘I am not Bajirao.’ Boman Irani played the role of Dhunjisha Batliwala. The play ‘I am not Bajirao’ was opened on 19 May 1996 at the Tata Theatre in Mumbai, and it ran and was performed in the theatres for 10 years.
I first saw @bomanirani in the 1996 play, I’m Not Bajirao.Sudhir Joshi and him were electric and hilarious.Then I saw him in @RamKMadhvani ‘s Let’s Talk and was amazed again.Delighted to talk to him tomo.Sunday 6PM. Set reminder: https://t.co/KaPR3OM86O pic.twitter.com/Tjy0KccGvy
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) November 28, 2020
Bollywood
Boman Irani made his Bollywood debut at the age of 42 in 2001 with the Indian English-language drama film ‘Everybody Says I’m Fine!.’ Boman Irani played the role of Resomon Mittal, and the film was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). In 2003, Boman Irani starred in the comedy-drama film ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ He was cast in this film at the age of 44. Boman played the role of Dr. Jagdish Chandra Asthana.
Boman Irani in a still from the Hindi film ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ (2003)
In 2004, Boman Irani was cast in Farah Khan’s directorial debut film ‘Main Hoon Na.’ Boman Irani played the character of Yogendra “Yogi” Agarwal (college principal).
Boman Irani (extreme right) in a still from ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004)
In 2004, Boman Irani appeared in the romantic drama film ‘Veer-Zaara,’ which was directed by Yash Chopra, in which he played the role of Preity Zinta‘s father, Jehangir Hayaat Khan. In 2006, Boman Irani was cast in the action thriller film ‘Don: The Chase Begins Again.’ Boman Irani played the role of DCP De Silva.
Boman Irani in a still from the film ‘Don-The Chase Begins Again’ (2006)
In 2009, Boman Irani starred in the superhit film ‘3 Idiots,’ which was directed by Rajkumar Hirani. Boman played the character of Dr. Viru Sahastrabuddhe, better known as “Virus.” This role gave Boman Irani immense recognition in the field of acting.
Boman Irani in a still from the film ‘3 Idiots’ (2009)
In 2012, Boman Irani was cast in the romantic-comedy film ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi.’ The film was inspired by the Persian poem ‘Farhad and Shirin,’ which was written by the 12th-century poet, Nizami Ganjavi. Boman Irani played the role of a Parsi bachelor, Farhad Pastakia.
Boman Irani in a still from the Hindi film ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’ (2012)
In 2013, Boman Irani starred in the blockbuster Hindi Black comedy film ‘Jolly LLB.’ Boman Irani played the role of Advocate Tejinder Rajpal.
Boman Irani in a still from the Hindi film ‘Jolly LLB’ (2013)
In 2021, Boman Irani was cast in the famous Hindi biographical sports drama film ’83.’ The film was based on the Indian Cricket team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Boman Irani played the role of a former Indian cricketer Farokh Maneksha Engineer.
Boman Irani (centre) with Ranveer Singh (left), and Kabir Khan (right), during the promotion of the film ’83’ (2021)
South Indian Films
In 2013, Boman Irani made his South Indian debut with the Telugu comedy-drama film ‘Attarintiki Daredi.’ Boman Irani played the role of Raghunandan in the film.
Boman Irani in a still from the Telugu film ‘Attarintiki Daredi’ (2013)
In 2015, Boman Irani was cast in the Telugu action-comedy film ‘Bengal Tiger.’ He played the role of Chief Minister Ashok Gajapathi in the film. In 2018, Boman Irani starred in the Telugu action-drama film ‘Agnyaathavaasi.’ He played the role of Govinda Bhargav, better known as Vindha in the film. In 2019, Boman Irani made his Tamil film debut with the action thriller film ‘Kaappaan.’ He played the role of Rajan Mahadev, the industrialist in the film.
Boman Irani in a still from the Tamil film ‘Kaappaan’ (2019)
Controversy
QNet Scam
In 2014, Boman Irani and his son, Danesh Irani, were held in a complaint filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Cyberabad Police in relation to the Rs. 425 Crore QNet scam. QNet is a multi-level marketing company that was under a cheating scandal of Rs. 425 Crore. It was reported that a transaction against QNet of Rs. 18 Crore was found in Danesh Irani’s bank account statements. Moreover, Boman Irani was seen at various promotional events of QNet. However, Boman Irani denied his involvement in the scam and was quoted saying,
My involvement with the company is merely based on the fact that I have attended a function of QNet and had been photographed there.”
Many actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor along with Boman Irani were sent official summons in regard to the scam and were questioned by the Hyderabad Police.
Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Boman Irani Questioned By Hyderabad Police For QNET Scam#ShahRukhKhan #AnilKapoor #BomanIrani #Koimoi https://t.co/wEA4kvFpJx
— Koimoi.com (@Koimoi) August 29, 2019
Awards & Nominations
- In 2004, Boman Irani won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award for the film ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’ (2003).
- In 2004, Boman Irani won the IIFA Best Comedian Award for the film ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’ (2003).
- In 2004, Boman Irani was nominated for the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for the film ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’ (2003).
- In 2005, he won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award for the film ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004).
- In 2006, Boman Irani was nominated for the IIFA Best Comedian Award for the film ‘Waqt: The Race Against Time’ (2005).
- In 2007, Boman Irani won the Filmfare Best Villain Award for his role as ‘Lucky Singh’ in the film ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006).
- In 2007, Boman Irani was nominated for the IIFA Best Villain Award for his role as ‘Lucky Singh’ in the film ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006).
- In 2007, Boman Irani was nominated for Best Actor in A Comic Role for the film ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006) at the Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA).
- In 2007, he was nominated for Best Performance in a Negative Role for the film ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006) at the Stardust Awards.
- In 2008, Boman Irani was nominated for the Best Actor in a Comic Role for the film ‘Dostana’ (2008) at the Producers Guild Film Award.
- In 2010, Boman Irani won the IIFA Best Villain Award for his role as ‘Viru Sahastrabuddhe (Virus)’ in the film ‘3 Idiots’ (2009).
- In 2010, Boman Irani won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film ‘3 Idiots’ (2009).
- In 2010, he won the Screen Award for Best Villain for the film ‘3 Idiots’ (2009).
- In 2011, Boman Irani won the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for the film ‘Well Done Abba’ (2010).
- In 2011, Boman Irani won the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for the film ‘3 Idiots’ (2009).
Boman Irani (left) receiving the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor for ‘3 Idiots’
- In 2012, he was nominated for the IIFA Best Villain Award for the film ‘Don 2’ (2011).
- In 2020, Boman Irani was awarded the Most Versatile Actor award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.
- In 2023, he received an honour at the Stardust 50 Years Honour Awards.
Boman Irani receiving the honour from Satish Kaushik (left) at the Stardust 50 Years Honour Awards
Car Collection
Boman Irani owns a Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d SUV.
Boman Irani with his Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d SUV
Net Worth
Boman Irani’s net worth is estimated to be Rs. 1.3 crore, as of 2023.
Favourites
- Food: Dhansak, Biryani, Prawns Curry Rice
- Travel Destination(s): London, South Africa, and New York
- Director(s): Rajkumar Hirani, Farah Khan, Billy Wilder, John Michael Frankenheimer, Frank Capra, Guru Dutt, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Shyam Benegal
- Movie: The Sound of Music (1965)
- Hotel: Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences (London)
- Cafe(s): Cafe GoodLuck (Pune) and Dorabjee and Sons (Pune)
Facts/Trivia
- Boman Irani rejected the role that he was offered in the 2003 film ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S’ as he didn’t like the idea of the character; however, just because Boman loved Rajkumar Hirani as a person, he agreed to do the film. Boman was paid only Rs. 2 Lakh for his role in the film.
- On 24 January 2019, Boman Irani launched his own production house named ‘Irani Movietone.’ His elder son, Danesh Irani is the Principal co-founder of the company. The logo was unveiled by the famous actor Amitabh Bachchan.
- Boman Irani suffered from Dyslexia (learning difficulty), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a lisp (a speech defect) during his childhood.
- His character traits in the film 3 Idiots were inspired by lisp, which was his childhood speech impediment.
- Boman Irani’s father owned a wafer shop named ‘Golden Wafer Compound’ in Mumbai. After Boman’s father passed away, his mother took over the shop, and once Boman’s mother met with an accident, and that’s when Boman Irani started working at his family wafer shop. He worked there for 12 years before entering into any professional work.
Boman Irani’s family wafer shop in Mumbai
- He is proficient in many languages like Parsi, Gujarati, Marathi, and Bengali.
- Boman Irani loves spending time with his grandchildren and often shares their pictures on social media.
Boman Irani and his wife with their grandson, Ziaan (centre)
Boman Irani with his granddaughter, Sysha
- In 1979, he started working at the Taj Mahal Tower in Mumbai as a room service employee, and he was hired at a monthly salary of Rs. 105. He saved his salary money for a year and bought his wife a gold chain as a gift. After working there for a year, Boman Irani wanted to work at the rooftop French restaurant at the Taj, which was named ‘Rendezvous.’ He worked at a restaurant as a waiter for 6-8 months.
- Boman Irani loves dogs and often shares pictures of him playing with his pets on Boman’s social media platforms.
Boman Irani with his pet dog at his home in Mumbai
- Boman Irani loves singing and playing the guitar and often does it at home or private functions. In 2010, he also performed live singing at the IIFA Awards with Shankar Mahadevan. In 2010, the duo also performed together at the Teacher’s Origin Highnights,’ an event organised by the Teacher’s Whisky Company in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
Boman Irani performing at the Reliance Day
- After selling his sports pictures at just Rs. 20-30, Boman Irani saved his earnings for seven years and took his family on a trip to Ooty. The family stayed at the Shawham Palace Hotel in which the room had only one light bulb and no amenities. That’s when Boman Irani decided to do more hard work to give his family better experiences.
- He often asks his children ‘where are you?’ whenever they’re out and because of that, Boman’s kids have saved his name as ‘where are you?’ on their respective phones.
- Boman Irani used to watch films at the Alexandra Cinema every day when he used to work at his family wafer shop.
- In 2016, Boman Irani starred in the Marathi comedy-drama film ‘Ventilator’ which was produced by Priyanka Chopra. Boman played the role of Dr. Shroff in the film.
- He is a close friends with actor Anupam Kher, and director Farah Khan. Boman often shares pictures of his close friends on social media.
Boman Irani with Anupam Kher at a cafe in Mumbai
Boman Irani with Farah Khan (right), during a film promotion
- Boman Irani was the voice artist in the Hindi thriller film ‘Teen Patti.’ He dubbed the voice of the English actor, Ben Kingsley.
Boman Irani’s tweet regarding ‘Teen Patti’
- He loves travelling and trekking, and he often shares photos of different travel destinations on social media.
Boman Irani during his trekking in Manang in Nepal
- Boman Irani credits the Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar for bringing him into the acting field.
Boman Irani’s Instagram post dedicated to Shiamak Davar
- Boman Irani’s first car that he purchased out of his own income was a Maruti 800.
- Boman Irani drinks alcohol and smokes cigars occasionally.
Boman Irani drinking beer on a vacation
- He has been part of ad campaigns for many famous brands like Fanta, Limca, Pepsi, and Maruti.
- He has hosted the IIFA Awards from 2008 till 2014.
- Boman Irani was the host of the Indian quiz show ‘Bollywood Ka Boss.’
- He is a non-vegetarian and is often seen eating non-vegetarian food with his family and friends.
Boman Irani (right) eating non-vegetarian food at a restaurant
- Boman Irani photographed the MRF campaign ‘the tyres we race are the tyres you buy’ in Chennai.
MRF ad campaign shot by Boman Irani
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education